Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is the world’s largest source of funding and knowledge for development solutions. It uses financial resources and extensive experience to help client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. It is governed by 189 member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with over 16,000 staff globally. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge knowledge, WBG is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data. Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the WBG: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

The WBG’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity reflect a new global landscape: one in which developing countries have an unprecedented opportunity to end extreme poverty within a generation.

World Bank Group Finance and Accounting (WFA) is led by the Vice President and Controller, who reports to the Chief Financial Officer. WFA in the Bank comprises the following functions: Financial Instruments Accounting and Valuation; Loan and Trust Fund Operations; Accounting Business Services; Financial Reporting; Accounting Policy; Documentation and Communication; Advisory Services; and Risks and Controls. These units collectively include approximately 450 staff, of which 100 are in Washington, D.C. with the remainder in regional offices including the largest in Chennai, India.

WFA Financial Controls (WFAFC) is a business division in WFA and is responsible for the fair recording and reporting of the WBG’s administrative expenses and fixed assets, which have a combined financial statement value of nearly $4.0B. This includes delivering core accounting services, maintaining an effective system of internal controls, and providing strategic leadership on complex business issues pertaining to the following administrative expenses and functions: (i) Travel Accounting, Accounts Payable, Fixed Asset and Lease Accounting, Quality Assurance and Country Office Accounting (together known as WFATA) (ii) Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Tax Allowance Administration and (iii) Helpdesk Operations (WFAAN)

Unit Overview

WFAGP is located at Chennai and responsible for processing vendor payments for all HQ units in Washington DC and around 120+ County offices. WFAGP reports functionally to WFATA. This team complements and works with WFAFC’s other functional teams in Chennai: Payroll, Tax and AR (WFAPA), the Assurance and Client Support team (WFAAC), which deliver core transaction processing services related to Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Tax, provide advisory and support services to country office accountants, travelers and WBG staff in accounting and compliance activities through training, reviews and help desk operations (WFAAN).

WFAGP is looking to recruit suitable candidates for the Senior Accounting Assistant positions in the global payments team.

The Senior Accounting Assistant will be responsible for processing payments to vendors and staff located at HQ or Country offices. The job requires extensive interaction with HQ (or) the country offices accounting staff and vendors.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Process payments to staff and vendors within service standards and contractual terms, which includes invoice review, data entry, and payment proposal preparation, review, and release in accordance with established guidelines.
• Track and clear invoice work items assigned in the SAP inbox; check emails received from clients and take immediate action; resolve cases that require special attention.
• Follow up with TTLs, managers, other staff, and vendors regarding pending workflow items.
• Apply provisions of US GAAP for accrual accounting.
• Adopt best practices to set off vendor receivables.
• Research and initiate action for vendor debit balances; work with vendor on refunds.
• Investigate and resolve cases for failed payment executions, stop payment requests, and stale-dated checks.
• Execute vendor down-payments, as needed for prepaid expenses and advances and ensure these are netted against subsequent invoices; monitor and resolve open down-payments.
• Execute daily Evaluated Receipts Settlement (ERS) process to generate invoice documents in SAP from electronically approved service entry sheets.
• Provide resolution to vendor claims relating to non-payment or incomplete payment or insufficient information to apply payments.
• Respond to queries from vendors, units, relating to invoice payments.
• Analyze / research / act on requests for accounting adjustments relating to accounts payable, engage in discussion as needed to understand and determine action required.
• Submit employee reimbursement request for miscellaneous payments to consultant and non-PO payments to firms
• Coordinate with the vendor master team to update banking information
• Maintain excellent client rapport and demonstrate client service skills in resolving issues.
• Participate in ad-hoc activities such as system testing and other assigned tasks.

Selection Criteria

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce or related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

Core Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Substantial work experience with transaction processing using integrated, automated accounting systems with a comparable level of complexity to the SAP system; a proven track record of problem-solving skills in an automated accounting environment; experience with SAP is desirable, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Should be client focused, flexible and work effectively work with other staff in the unit and outside.
• Meet WFA Core Competencies at GD level (given below).

Source:https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=4294&site=1