Finance Associate

The Finance Associate supports daily accounting and financial transactions and decision-making through timely, fit-for-purpose information on the management of financial resources. The role involves financial transactions, budgeting, cash management, procurement, internal controls, business advisory, and reporting to ensure cost efficiency and effective controls over financial transactions in country offices.

Responsibilities

• Review and process E-payable transactions, payroll inputs, staff loans, travel and rental advances, and vendor payments, ensuring accuracy in charge codes, bank accounts, tax treatment, and supporting documentation.
• Conduct payment runs and respond to Chennai queries on transaction compliance.
• Prepare monthly expense forecasts, budget reports with variance analysis, and bank reconciliations; monitor and replenish country office bank accounts; and submit VAT refund claims while resolving outstanding items on VAT, inter-currency, transit, and suspense accounts.
• Monitor purchase orders, STC transactions, and vendor open items (including GRIs, SES, and invoices) through the admin portal, and oversee rental contracts in PeopleSoft to ensure timely resolution of outstanding items.
• Maintain effective financial controls through oversight of corporate cards, asset inventory, signatory management, contract monitoring, record retention, account reconciliations, and timely resolution of audit, scorecard, and compliance-related matters.
• Provide guidance to the Country Manager and business area staff on WBG financial, administrative, and benefits policies — including financial assistance loans, retirement plans, dependency allowances, and overtime — and onboard new staff on finance systems, travel, and related procedures.
• Respond to Scorecard and audit queries, ensure orderly filing of transaction documentation, and support process harmonization, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives, including assigned COA projects such as VAT Automation and the SAP Upgrade.

Requirements

• Minimum Education consisting of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or other relevant discipline required to fulfill position specific requirements (e.g. Economics, Public Administration, Information Systems, etc.) OR non-relevant bachelor’s degree plus one of the following: (1) CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting; or (2) ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business; or (3) equivalent country-level accounting certificate.
• 1 year of relevant experience in a comparable accounting or finance-oriented role.
• Good working knowledge of budget/finance systems and reports, particularly SAP, Power BI, BW/AO and BPC and experience with major systems for financial/budget management is preferred.
• Knowledge of external funds policies and procedures is desirable.
• Experience with requirements gathering and business analysis, applying critical thinking to independently analyze complex problems, and pursue efficiency improvements.
• Experience with data management/modeling; process analysis, design and automation.
• Track record of supporting business decision making through the provision of relevant analytics, using statistical and AI/ML methods, and visualization solutions.
• Strong collaboration skills with other functions, an excellent team player with good project management skills.
• Track record of handling transactional-level financial/accounting work and supporting business decision-making by providing relevant analytics and advice.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, budget monitoring, and internal control.
• Demonstrated working experience in accounting, bank reconciliations, procurement process, facilities, vendor management, and internal controls.
• Proficient user of relevant computer applications and systems, including Excel/PowerPoint, AO.
• Working experience with finance systems and reports, particularly SAP, BW/AO, and/or comparable experience with financial/budget management systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support budgeting, cost control, and financial planning efforts.
• The incumbent should be fluent in English.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and people oriented.

Skills

• Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Budget Monitoring
• Internal Controls
• Bank Reconciliation
• Procurement Procedures
• Vendor Management
• Financial Transactions
• Budgeting
• Cash management
• Business Advisory
• Data Management
• Data Modeling
• Process Analysis
• Process Automation
• Business Analysis
• Requirements Gathering
• Statistical Methods
• AI/ML Methods
• Data Visualization
• SAP
• Power BI
• BW/AO
• BPC
• Excel
• Power Point
• Project Management
• Financial Planning
• Cost Control

Languages

English