Senior Finance Officer Loan Accounting Finance & Accounting

This position requires a thorough understanding of IBRD and IDA loan products and policies, as well as substantial experience with monthly closings in a production accounting unit. The role involves regular interaction with colleagues from various Finance units, Operations Units, IFC, MIGA, and the external auditors.  Additionally, the role includes guiding and supervising 3-5 staff members and frequently dealing with urgent and unexpected issues from all organizational levels.

In this role, you will be responsible to support the Bank-wide development and implementation of new products by reviewing proposals and providing insights, comments, and issues from our team’s perspective.  Your ability to wear a ‘corporate hat’ and consider the broader implications of recommendations will be essential, while having a sound understanding of the current business and systems ecosystem capabilities.

You will also be responsible to directly support the delivery of the team’s day to day accounting and reporting obligations, in addition to system and other corporate initiatives.

What you will do:

• New products – Represent the division’s interests in new product working groups, formulate and provide oral and written inputs, comments, raise issues based upon knowledge of the business and underlying IT systems
• Systems / business requirements: Lead the various system projects in (1) formulating, drafting and articulating business needs in system requirement documents to support new products and policies, (2) performing and overseeing user acceptance testing of new systems and functionality
• Quarterly / FY end closings: Directly perform accounting closing production work for the IBRD/IDA loans portfolios.  This work involves a large hands-on component working in underlying systems and other related modules.  Directly engage with other corporate finance units, and the external auditors
• Internal Control Oversight:  Proactively adopt and role model a strong control mindset to learn from past issues, identify areas in need of strengthening, and initiate appropriate actions
• Process Improvements and Efficiencies:  Proactively identify and operationalize process improvements, and/or challenge status quo through use of automated solutions such as RPA, Alteryx and similar tools
• Financial Analysis: Proactively identify trends and/or potential inconsistencies through critical review of data and fact patterns regarding the loans portfolio.  Lead/assist/support the response to queries from senior management, external auditors etc.
• Internal and external collaboration: Act as a key point of contact for external auditors and coordinate financial activities with business units within IBRD and IDA
• Team Oversight:  Oversee and perform supervisory review of team members’ work status and quality.  Provide guidance and support to team members on technical and non-technical areas
• Coaching and talent development:  Act as a role model, provide direction, training and/or mentorship to junior staff.

Selection Criteria:

Education & Experience:

• CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent designation
• Minimum 12 years post qualification experience in a corporate accounting setting, with significant hands on experience in an accounting production environment
• Big Four or equivalent public accounting experience is preferred
• Track record of supporting the development of new products and policies, with a demonstrated ability of applying critical thinking to anticipate, address and resolve issues
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and proficiency with researching and applying accounting standards
• Strong knowledge of the World Bank’s loan products and policies
• Hands on experience with an ERP system – with strong preference to SAP experience
• Proven attention to details is required
• Strong experience in designing and implementing internal controls over day to day processes and financial reporting related tasks
• Strong Project management skills and experience.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28176&site=1