Lead - Accounts Payable - Startup/IT- CA

Key Responsibilities:

- Process purchase order and non-purchase order-based invoices accurately and in a timely manner.

- Handle queries from vendors and internal stakeholders effectively.

- Execute payment runs in accordance with company policies and timelines.

- Conduct regular audits of invoices and employee expenses to ensure compliance with financial and operational policies.

- Resolve invoice discrepancies by liaising with relevant departments.

- Provide accurate and responsive support for vendor inquiries.

- Administer the corporate credit card and employee reimbursement programs.

- Update and track daily cash flow; prepare and reconcile bank statements.

- Ensure compliance with statutory regulations related to Income Tax and GST.

- Maintain an efficient and accurate petty cash management system.

Key Result Areas:

- Implement Real-Time AP Dashboards: Develop and maintain live dashboards to monitor invoice lifecycle, approval status, and payment schedules-enhancing transparency and reducing dependency on manual follow-ups.

- Automate Invoice Processing: Deploy automation tools for invoice capture, validation, and workflow routing to improve efficiency, minimize errors, and accelerate the accounts payable cycle.

- Standardize Approval Workflows: Create scalable and structured approval processes with defined SLAs and escalation paths to drive timely approvals and reinforce accountability across teams.

- Strengthen Vendor Communication: Introduce automated notifications or vendor portal access to ensure timely updates on invoice and payment statuses, thereby enhancing vendor satisfaction and trust.

- Optimize AP Performance Metrics: Track key performance indicators such as invoice turnaround time, exception rate, and early payment discount capture. Conduct regular reviews to identify trends and implement process improvements.

- Facilitate Cross-Functional Alignment: Share periodic updates with Finance, Operations, and Business stakeholders on AP performance, potential risks, and priority actions to maintain alignment and proactively resolve challenges.

Requirements:

- Chartered Accountant (CA) with at least 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in a startup environment.

- Strong understanding of finance functions with a specific focus on accounts payable.

- Experience in a SaaS or fast-paced startup environment will be an added advantage.