Job Description

Senior Accounting Assistant Job #: req34434
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: 10/2/2025 (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 Controller's our mandate supports both internal and external clients while we focus on delivery, optimization, impact, and people & culture.
Unit and Tax Team Overview:
Within WFA, WFA Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Tax division (WFAPT in HQ and WFAPA in Chennai) is responsible for ensuring that (i) accounts receivable are recorded, monitored, and collected in a timely and efficient manner, (ii) salary and benefit payments to the WB staff are processed in a timely and efficient manner, and (iii) tax allowances to the WB staff and retirees are processed in a timely and efficient manner. It also provides strategic leadership and guidance to business units across the WB on developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls over AR, payroll, and tax.
The WFAPA is currently seeking an accounting analyst for its Tax function in Chennai. The Tax team in WFAPT administers tax allowances on World Bank compensation and tax supplements on Net Staff Retirement Plan pension payments in accordance with tax laws and WB policies. The Tax team is involved in the development and modification of tax policy, execution of all tax payments, monitoring corresponding financial data, and actively participating in decisions on tax matters relating to the World Bank compensation and pension. The Tax team also undertakes research of national tax laws and evaluation of World Bank agreements with member countries to determine the tax implications on World Bank emoluments and pension.
How your contributions will help us achieve our goals
The Senior Accounting Assistant will serve as a specialist, primarily to handle the tax allowance and other tax activities within the team in close coordination with the Tax team in Chennai and HQ, as well as design and implement tax processes and system improvements. The position also requires to interact with the payroll, AR, AP, People and Culture (PaC), Pension, and the Information and Technology Solution (ITS) teams.
What you will do:
The Senior Accounting Assistant functions as a technical staff and performs a variety of tasks, his/her responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

• Process U.S. tax allowance via PeopleSoft Tax Allowance system. This includes, but is not limited to, verify, and analyze quarterly tax allowance calculations/payments and prior year tax allowance reconciliations.

• Manage U.S. citizen staff tax transactions, verifying their status through HR-PeopleSoft, their payroll earnings through Payroll-PeopleSoft and any other non-payroll taxable earnings through SAP-AP, to ensure that earnings are in accordance with the Bank Staff Rules, to quality check their integrity and accuracy and to ensure that they are included in the tax allowance calculations in accordance to Staff Rule 6.04.

• Verify tax certificates submitted by staff (Form 70) to determine current year tax allowances and necessary adjustments to prior tax allowance payments.

• Manage Safety Net transactions, analyzing the tax returns against the World Bank Group Tax System considering Bank Group policy and IRS and state tax regulations.

• Monitor the Tax exception reports to detect anomalies in the tax allowance payments that require research and correction.

• Analyze/research/act on requests/queries related to tax allowance payments, earnings, and deductions, engaging in discussion as needed to understand and determine actions required.

• Provide support to staff by responding and managing Tax Office phone calls and emails queries.

• Coordinate tax allowance related matter with overseas staff who are either on extended or short-term assignments,

• Identify process improvements, participate in Tax-related projects, and provide testing support for the system enhancements.

• Review and update the procedure manuals as and when required.

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."
What you will bring:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (Finance, Accounting, and Taxation);

• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, CA) or IRS Enrolled Agent not mandatory, but is a plus,

• Specialized in U.S individual income taxation, preferably in a Big 4 accounting firm with minimum of 2 years' experience in preparation and review of individual tax returns and gross-up/tax equalization calculations for U.S./Non-U.S. assignees of multinational corporations,

• Technical qualification or certification may be desirable (Ex. Six Sigma).

Core Technical Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of tax calculation, impact of different calculation elements in final tax allowance results,

• Thorough understanding of U.S. Accounting Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,

• Experience in financial data verification utilizing accounting systems,

• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, namely Excel, Word and Power Point, including advanced spreadsheet design, manipulation, and analysis skills.

• A proven track record of problem-solving in an automated accounting environment; experience with SAP, PeopleSoft system is desirable, but not required.

• Strong client focus, flexible, and excellent team player.

• Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and effectively use it for maximum productivity.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to prepare present and discuss findings in written and oral form.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate and deal with tact with staff at all levels.

• Proven ability to multi-task, meets tight deadlines, and attention to details.

• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

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.
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.
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 and , including our values and inspiring stories.

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