Associate - SMS 1LC

About BNP Paribas India Solutions:

Established in 2005, BNP Paribas India Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas SA, European Union’s leading bank with an international reach. With delivery centers located in Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai, we are a 24x7 global delivery center. India Solutions services three business lines: Corporate and Institutional Banking, Investment Solutions and Retail Banking for BNP Paribas across the Group. Driving innovation and growth, we are harnessing the potential of over 10000 employees, to provide support and develop best-in-class solutions.

About BNP Paribas Group:

 BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 65 countries and has nearly 185,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment, and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy, and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group's performance and stability

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At BNP Paribas, we passionately embrace diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected and can bring their authentic selves to work. We prohibit Discrimination and Harassment of any kind and our policies promote equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, irrespective of, but not limited to their gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, colour, national origin, age, religion, social status, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status etc. As a global Bank, we truly believe that inclusion and diversity of our teams is key to our success in serving our clients and the communities we operate in.

About Business line/Function:

The Nearshore department is a Cross Border team located in Mumbai and fully dedicated to the APAC region. The operational scope covers Financial & Management Accounting & Reporting, Accounting Controls, Credit Risk Reporting and contribution to the Liquidity Reporting. The Nearshore department is going through different projects of on-boarding new services and implementing a new accounting and reporting system (OFS) for BNPP Group legal entities in North, South East Asia and Australia.

The SMS Accounting Control level 1 (SMS 1LC) team performs a key role in maintaining the quality of the accounting control environment that underpins the Finance reporting processes: Group Head Office reporting, Statutory reporting, Regulatory reporting and internal Performance Management reporting for the Regional platform.

The objective of the SMS 1LC  control team is to provide independent assurance that Level 1 controls (i.e. controls that are performed to ensure the accounting data is complete and accurate) are properly executed and that Group, CIB and local accounting control policies (inc the minimum control standards defined in the Standard Accounting Control Plan) are implemented appropriately. This Level 2 control framework includes periodic detailed testing of the documented controls that underpin the Regional accounting ledger balances and specific testing/review of balances and processes in accordance with the BNP Paribas control policies.

 The role will require regular interaction with other Non-Finance teams in Region and Mumbai and provides the role holder with a broad view of the activities and processes in the Non Finance functions on which non Finance is dependent.

Job Title:

Associate - SMS1LC

Date:

September 2024

Department:

APAC Regional Subject Matter Stream

Location:

NKP, Mumbai

Business Line / Function:

FSS

Reports to:

(Direct)

VP

Grade: 

(if applicable)

(Functional)

Number of Direct Reports:

None

Directorship / Registration:

NA

Position Purpose

The candidate is expected:

·         To contribute to the performance of SMS 1LC controls pertaining to Non finance functions of BNP Paribas entities in Asia Pacific region and drive the account owner sign-off and first level accounting control certification process.

·         Act as a key point of contact to the Operations, Local Finance, Level 2 Controls and the Regional teams.

·         Perform and document the accounting controls and analysis.

·         to independently manage key activities like daily, monthly and quarterly financial accounting and control tasks.

·         Prepare various MIS reports and reconciliations as per the requirements of stakeholders and Co-ordinate with internal and regional colleagues for day-to-day activities.

·         Drive automation of accounting and control processes using advanced Excel including through BRD and UAT testing and the standardisation of booking schemes among entities.

Responsibilities

Direct Responsibilities

·         Contribute to the performance of 1LC accounting controls on a list of key areas defined by the BNP Paribas Standard Accounting Control Group Plan, including Back office to General Ledger reconciliations, Sensitive accounts checking, manual entries, dormant accounts, PV checking, Irregular and abnormal accounts checking, fee income checking etc. 

·         Identify system / control deficiencies and propose solution to improve the accounting control environment

·         Monitor account and 1st level control sign-off and escalate problems identified.

·         Contribute to the preparation of accounting control outcome on a monthly basis and reported it to 2nd level team for them to include their control package by Account and Control Owners.

·         Monitor Accounting Control outcomes through key performance and key risk indicators

·         Prepare ad hoc control memo upon request when an issue is identified.

·         Ensure the good coordination with the Regional Financial Reporting team, in particular whenever an accounting issue needs to be addressed

·         Contribute to BNP Paribas operational permanent control framework.

·         Report incidents and accounting issues.

Contributing Responsibilities

·         Manage the day-to-day accounting and finance task including activities like Nostro clearance, loading of excel loaders, topazes etc

·         Perform daily controls on Suspense, Transit and liaison accounts

·         Resolving breaks in Suspense and Transit accounts by passing necessary corrections wherever required.

·         Following up with Operations team for clearance of breaks in suspense accounts pertaining to other SDBRs

·         Ensuring timely escalations to team leads, other stakeholders as per the escalation matrix.

·         Managing the month end pre closing and post closing task within the defined timelines as per the planner

·         Preparing of accurate and error free workings related to Pre closing and post closing tasks.

·         Preparation of periodic / ad-hoc MIS, reconciliations as  may be required by local and regional finance teams with accuracy

·         Handle requests from local finance, L2 Controls and other stakeholders as per TAT and with zero error rate

·         Preparation and updation of SOPs on a timely basis.

·         Drive automation of current processes using advanced excels and / or through BRS and UAT testing.

·         Periodic Revenue - expense reconciliation including SAP reconciliations

Support other team members for various activities like reconciliation, processing of loaders, preparation of workings etc 

Technical & Behavioral Competencies

·         Solid understanding of financial instruments and developed skills in analysis of business supporting processes from accounting control perspective

·         Expert knowledge of Accounting and Financial Management, IFRS knowledge would be an added advantage

·         Expert knowledge of Windows suites including MS Excel, Word and Power Point. Writing macros in MS Excel / Visual Basic coding would be added advantage.

·         Meticulous, eye for detail and should be able to work under pressure

·         Good communication and interpersonal skills

·         Former audit experience or experiences on the accounting controls within a Finance function in Banking and Financial Services (mandatory)

Specific Qualifications (if required)

·         CA with 0-2 years of experience in auditing and/or internal and accounting control

·         Professional membership in CPA/ACCA/CFA are desired

Some training in internal/external audit processes 

Skills Referential

Behavioural Skills: (Please select up to 4 skills)

Ability to collaborate / Teamwork

Ability to deliver / Results driven

Communication skills - oral & written

Client focused

Transversal Skills: (Please select up to 5 skills)

Ability to develop and adapt a process

Ability to set up relevant performance indicators

Analytical Ability

Ability to understand, explain and support change

Ability to inspire others & generate people's commitment

Education Level: CA/CS/CFA

 Master Degree or equivalent

Experience Level 0-2 years

Beginner