Senior Accounting Assistant Job #: req34441 Organization: World Bank Sector: Finance & Accounting Grade: GD Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Chennai,India Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/10/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to join us to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank (WB) is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID) dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The WB Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidency is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for IBRD and IDA, and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of the WB entities. It supports an appropriate fiduciary control framework and administering disbursements for Bank lending and leads the client service function for the WB’s corporate expenses.
Organizationally, WFA is comprised of three departments: (1) Corporate Accounting and Reporting, (2) Trust Funds and Loans, and (3) Financial Controls. In WFA, our mandate supports both internal and external clients while we focus on delivery, optimization, impact, and people & culture.
WFACN Team Overview:
The WFA Country Office Accounting (WFACN) unit in Chennai under Financial Controls department, comprises two work programs:
1.Country Office Accounting (COA) responsible for providing accounting and advisory services to IBRD and IFC Country Offices and aid maintenance of internal control framework.2. Vendor Master Records (VMR) responsible for creation and maintenance of banking information for Vendors across the globe ensuring adherence to local banking regulations.
WFACN is currently seeking an Senior Accounting Assistant for the COA work program within the team.
The successful candidate will report to the WFACN Accounting Officer and will be responsible for the following:
Advisory:
•   Support the team in providing advisory services to country offices on accounting matters related to corporate expense policies•   Assist in providing training to Country Office Accountants on country office accounting and internal control matters.•   Assist the team in working with Country Offices on harmonization of policies and procedures across IBRD and IFC Country office functions.•   Assist country offices in managing day to day transactions and events related to Imprest Accounts.
Accounting and Reporting:
•   Prepare trial balance reports covering Imprest and Lease ledger accounts and provide appropriate analyses, coordinate with the team for sign-off to the reporting units.•   Monitor and report on transactions in the Country Office Imprest Bank accounts.•   Assist in imprest accounting for Chennai office, and accounting and claim processing of goods and services refund claims (India GST) for Chennai office.•   Assist in Accounting for leases in the country offices and lease accounting advisory•   Review Monthly Statement Report submissions by Country Office and provide inputs into the control environment.•   Prepare the unit’s operational reports and support adhoc requestsSystem and Process•   Participate in the team’s system projects, drafting requirements document and perform user acceptance testing.•   Contribute to requirements, testing, implementation and maintenance of any new systems, applications, tools, and reports for the team, to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and standardization.•   Identifying opportunities for improvements in current processes, initiating improvements within the system and control framework; working with business and technology teams across locations to implement solutions / improvements.

Selection Criteria

“Note: “Only applicants who are nationals, legal residents, or otherwise have legal presence in the duty station independent of any employer, and who are authorized to work in the duty station, will be considered.”
Education and Experience:
•   Professional accounting qualification (CA or CPA or equivalent)•   Bachelor’s or master’s degree in any discipline•   Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience 
Knowledge and Skills:
•   Should have a working knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or International Financial Reporting Accounting and Auditing standards, and ICFR requirements•   Basic computer skills in MS Office, accounting software and databases•   Experience with variance analysis, trial balance reporting, and preparation of financial statements disclosures•   Strong analytical skills with ability to collate, organize and interpret data, assess issues, develop sound conclusions, formulate remedial measures with attention to detail and accuracy•   Experience in GL posting, accounting reconciliations, and reports preparation•   Experience in SAP FI system, Power BI, Tableau tools is desirable. Exposure to other systems like PeopleSoft would be an added advantage 
World Bank Group Core Competencies:
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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