Finance Controller

Description:

Finance Controller

Role Objective

The Finance Controller will be the custodian of financial integrity, governance, and compliance. This role partners closely with the leadership team to ensure robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and scalable processes to support retail and fashion growth trajectory.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Control & Reporting:

- Own end-to-end financial accounting, monthly/quarterly/year-end closures.

- Ensure timely and accurate preparation of P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements.

- Maintain strong internal financial controls and SOPs across entities and locations.

- Prepare MIS packs for promoters and senior leadership with clear insights and variance analysis.

Compliance & Governance:

- Ensure compliance with Ind AS, Companies Act, GST, TDS, Income Tax, and statutory regulations.

- Lead statutory, tax, internal, and GST audits; act as the single point of contact with auditors and advisors.

- Oversee timely filings, assessments, and closures with zero compliance slippages.

Retail & Inventory Finance:

- Monitor inventory accounting, valuation, provisioning, and reconciliation (critical for retail).

- Work closely with merchandising and operations teams on margin analysis, sell-through, and stock aging.

- Track store-level profitability and support expansion or rationalization decisions.

Budgeting & Cost Control:

- Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasts.

- Track actuals vs budgets; flag risks and opportunities proactively.

- Drive cost optimization without compromising brand or customer experience.

Cash Flow & Working Capital:

- Manage cash flows, banking relationships, and fund utilization.

- Oversee AR/AP, vendor payments, and receivables discipline.

- Support negotiations with landlords, vendors, and partners from a finance lens.

Team & Stakeholder Management:

- Build, mentor, and manage the finance and accounts team.

- Partner with business heads, operations, and founders as a trusted finance advisor.

- Coordinate with external consultants, tax advisors, and banks.

Candidate Profile:

Must Have:

- CA / CPA / equivalent qualification.

- 8 - 15 years of experience in finance controllership roles.

- Strong exposure to retail, fashion, luxury, lifestyle, or consumer businesses.

- Hands-on experience with audits, compliance, and closing cycles.

- Solid working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / Tally / retail ERPs).

Good to Have:

- Experience in multi-store retail or omnichannel environments.

- Prior exposure to promoter-led or high-growth consumer brands.

- Understanding of inventory-heavy, margin-sensitive businesses.