Description:

Job Purpose:

This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Group CFO. The HOD Accounts & Finance (Real Estate) will be the primary finance and accounts lead for all direct real estate projects across Group companies. As CVLs real estate portfolio grows in both size and complexity spanning joint development agreements, SRA projects, redevelopment schemes, and structured JVs this role will be central to ensuring financial discipline, regulatory compliance, and timely reporting across all such projects.

The incumbent will take a hands-on approach to project-level accounting, tax (direct and indirect), cash flow management, stakeholder MIS, and statutory compliance, while also building systems and processes suited to a growing real estate development business.

Key Responsibilities:

A. Finance, Accounting & Reporting

- Own the end-to-end accounts and finance function for all active real estate projects, including JDAs, JVs, SRA developments, and redevelopment schemes.

- Maintain project-wise books of accounts; oversee monthly closing, reconciliations, and consolidation across Group companies.

- Prepare and present project-level MIS, budget vs. actuals, cash flow forecasts, and variance analyses to the CFO and senior management.

- Oversee preparation of financial statements for relevant Group entities in compliance with Ind AS / applicable accounting standards.

- Act as the principal liaison between the accounts team and the project execution, sales, and legal teams.

B. Project Financing Compliance, Covenant Management & Cash Flow

- While financing decisions for project loans are taken at Group level, the HOD will be responsible for ensuring that all obligations under sanctioned facilities are met on an ongoing basis including drawdown conditions, financial covenants, reporting obligations, and event-of-default triggers.

- Maintain a facility-wise compliance tracker covering all project loans; monitor interest payments, principal repayments, DSCR and other financial covenants, and lender-prescribed MIS / reporting timelines.

- Manage escrow accounts, NDC (No Dues Certificate) processes, and collections waterfall mechanisms as stipulated under financing documents; ensure timely routing of sale proceeds and release of security as per agreed milestones.

- Monitor and manage project-level cash flows covering land cost payments, construction drawdowns, JV / JDA partner contributions, and receipts from sales or pre-leases and flag any liquidity stress to senior management promptly.

- Provide financial inputs for investment committee notes, lender appraisal submissions, and periodic project reviews; support Group CFO and legal team in lender negotiations as required.

C. Taxation - Direct & Indirect

- Oversee GST compliance for real estate projects including applicability across construction, JDA structures, and SRA projects; manage input tax credit and filing obligations.

- Manage direct tax compliance corporate tax, TDS (including on contractor and JV partner payments), advance tax, and project-specific tax structuring.

- Liaise with tax advisors and ensure timely filing of returns, responses to notices, and management of assessments.

- Stay current on RERA financial reporting requirements and ensure project-level compliance.

D. Process, Controls & Compliance

- Design and implement robust financial controls and approval frameworks suited to a multi-project real estate development environment.

- Establish and maintain vendor management, cost control, and procurement oversight protocols.

- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements including RERA, income tax, GST, RBI guidelines (where CVLs NBFC license is relevant), and ROC filings.

- Maintain documentation standards to meet audit, lender, and regulatory requirements.

E. Risk Management & Audit

- Develop and maintain financial risk frameworks across the real estate portfolio; flag exposures to the CFO in a timely manner.

- Coordinate statutory and internal audits; manage audit findings and ensure prompt resolution.

- As CVL is a listed entity, ensure strict compliance with SEBIs quarterly financial reporting requirements, including timely completion of limited reviews and statutory audits for CVL and all subsidiaries within prescribed deadlines; liaise with statutory auditors and the CFO to ensure audit-readiness is maintained on a continuous basis across the Group.

- Maintain adequate insurance coverage across projects and assets.

- Liaise with external auditors, legal counsel, and regulatory advisors as required.

Education:

- Chartered Accountant (ICAI). Additional qualifications in finance, law, or project management will be an advantage.

Work Experience:

Minimum 10 - 15 years of post-qualification experience in accounting and finance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a real estate developer. Demonstrated experience with JDA and JV accounting, project finance, RERA compliance, and GST for construction and development is essential.

Skills & Personal Attributes:

- Deep understanding of real estate accounting, project finance, and applicable taxation (GST, direct tax, RERA).

- Familiarity with development agreement structures, SRA regulations, DCPR/FSI mechanics, and NBFC regulatory context is strongly preferred.

- Advanced proficiency in Excel and accounting software; experience with ERP systems relevant to real estate development.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work across finance, legal, and project execution teams.

- Sound judgment, high integrity, and an orientation towards results and accountability.

- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-moving, transaction-intensive environment.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Hindi/Marathi proficiency is an advantage.