ET Temporary - Senior Accounting Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global institution established to provide funding and knowledge to developing countries. It is a unique partnership comprising five institutions, dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty and fostering shared prosperity. The organization has 189 member countries and operates over 120 offices worldwide, collaborating with both public and private sector partners. The World Bank Group invests in innovative projects and utilizes data, research, and technology to address pressing global challenges. For more information about their mission and initiatives, you can visit their official website at www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The position of ET Temporary - Senior Accounting Assistant is situated within the World Bank Group's Chennai office, specifically in the CTRHP unit, which is responsible for processing vendor payments for all headquarters units located in Washington DC. The role is integral to the global payments team and involves a hybrid work model based out of Chennai, India. The selected candidate will be expected to process payments to staff and vendors, ensuring compliance with service standards and contractual terms. This includes tasks such as invoice review, data entry, payment proposal preparation, and adherence to established guidelines. The role also requires tracking and clearing invoice work items in the SAP inbox, responding to emails from clients, and resolving cases that require special attention. The candidate will need to apply US GAAP provisions for accrual accounting and adopt best practices for vendor receivables. Additionally, the role involves investigating payment execution failures, managing vendor down-payments, and executing the Evaluated Receipts Settlement (ERS) process to generate invoice documents in SAP. The candidate will also be responsible for maintaining excellent client rapport and demonstrating strong client service skills while resolving issues. The working hours for this position will be 8.5 hours between 07:00 AM to 10:30 PM IST, and the candidate should be flexible to work in any of the slots as per business requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the ET Temporary - Senior Accounting Assistant include: processing payments to staff and vendors within established service standards and contractual terms; reviewing invoices, performing data entry, and preparing payment proposals; tracking and clearing invoice work items assigned in the SAP inbox; checking emails from clients and taking immediate action; resolving cases that require special attention; following up with team leads, managers, and vendors regarding pending workflow items; applying US GAAP provisions for accrual accounting; adopting best practices for vendor receivables; researching and initiating action for vendor debit balances; investigating and resolving cases for failed payment executions; executing vendor down-payments for prepaid expenses; monitoring and resolving open down-payments; executing the daily Evaluated Receipts Settlement (ERS) process; providing resolution to vendor claims related to payment issues; responding to queries from vendors and units regarding invoice payments; analyzing and acting on requests for accounting adjustments; submitting employee reimbursement requests; coordinating with the vendor master team to update banking information; maintaining excellent client rapport; and participating in ad-hoc activities such as system testing and other assigned tasks.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the ET Temporary - Senior Accounting Assistant position include a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, commerce, or a related field, along with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. Candidates should possess substantial work experience with transaction processing using integrated, automated accounting systems that are comparable in complexity to the SAP system. A proven track record of critical thinking skills in an automated accounting environment is essential, and while experience with SAP is desirable, it is not mandatory. Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to quickly and effectively learn modern technology, possess strong verbal and written communication skills, and exhibit a client-focused and flexible approach while collaborating effectively with other staff members.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the ET Temporary - Senior Accounting Assistant position must have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, commerce, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the role, particularly in financial principles and accounting practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in accounting or finance roles. Candidates should have substantial work experience with transaction processing in automated accounting systems, demonstrating a proven ability to handle complex financial transactions and accounting tasks effectively. Experience in a similar role, particularly within an international organization or in a context involving vendor payments and financial reporting, would be advantageous.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, which is required for effective communication within the organization and with external vendors. While English proficiency is essential, it is also considered beneficial for candidates to have additional language skills that may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders, although no specific additional languages are listed as required.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an Extended Term (ET) appointment, which is subject to a maximum duration of three years. The selected candidate will be working under a local recruitment framework, meaning preference will be given to local talent authorized to work in the duty station. The role is a full-time position with a contract duration of one year, and candidates should be aware that internal applicants may apply according to existing guidelines. The World Bank Group is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring that they do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.