Key Responsibilities:

1. Finance & Accounting Leadership:

- Oversee day-to-day operations of the finance and accounting function, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance.

- Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting; monitor financial performance and identify areas for improvement.

- Ensure timely filing of statutory returns (TDS, GST, annual filings) and compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws and regulations.

- Drive receivable collections, vendor payment discipline and monthly MIS reporting to management.

- Develop and implement financial policies, procedures and internal controls.

- Manage relationships with external auditors, tax authorities and other financial stakeholders.

- Oversee the timely filing and management of promoters' and management's personal compliance requirements.

2. Risk Advisory & Client Delivery:

- Lead engagements in internal audit, internal financial controls (IFC) / risk control matrices, process reviews, risk assessments and finance function advisory.

- Oversee ERP/SAP implementation projects for clients.

- Advise clients on the applicability of relevant statutory provisions and amendments, and translate regulatory changes into practical guidance.

- Act as the single point of contact (SPOC) for clients during income tax and GST assessments.

- Identify control gaps, fraud and compliance risks, and recommend remediation roadmaps with clear ownership and timelines.

- Review deliverables for quality, accuracy and insight before they reach clients and senior management.

- Prepare and present financial and risk reports to senior management, clients and stakeholders.

- Coordinate with bankers and external agencies for data points and information flows required for client engagements.

- Ensure smooth, proactive and effective communication with clients throughout the engagement lifecycle.

3. Business Development & Client Growth:

- Identify, originate and pursue new advisory opportunities through networking, referrals, industry forums and cross-selling to existing clients.

- Own the proposal cycle: scoping, pricing, drafting proposals and presentations, and closing mandates.

- Build and sustain long-term relationships with CXOs, promoters, CFOs and other decision-makers.

- Establish B2B partnerships with professional firms, both within and outside India, to source and deliver work.

- Contribute to the firm's go-to-market strategy, service positioning, thought leadership and market intelligence.

- Work with partners to meet revenue, pipeline and realization targets for the practice.

- Monitor client satisfaction, handle escalations and drive repeat business and referrals.

4. Team Leadership & Firm Building:

- Lead, mentor and develop a team of finance, accounting and advisory professionals; set goals and conduct performance reviews.

- Plan resources and manage engagement timelines, budgets and profitability.

- Foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning and accountability.

- Collaborate with other departments and partners to support strategic initiatives and business objectives.

- Build reusable methodologies, templates and knowledge assets for the practice.

Qualifications & Experience:

- Chartered Accountant (CA) preferred; alternatively, a professional degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field (CMA, MBA-Finance, CIA, FRM or similar is an advantage).

- 10+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, internal audit or risk advisory, including 3+ years in a managerial capacity; mid-tier firm or consulting experience is preferred.

- Demonstrated experience in business development, such as proposal writing, client pitching and conversion of leads into mandates.

- Proven leadership of teams and delivery of results across multiple concurrent engagements.

Technical & Functional Competencies:

- Strong command of financial principles, Ind AS / IGAAP, Companies Act, direct and indirect tax, and related regulations.

- Working knowledge of risk frameworks (COSO, enterprise risk management), internal financial controls and internal audit standards.

- Advanced proficiency in financial modelling, analysis and reporting.

- Proficiency in MS Office, ERP and accounting systems (Tally, Zoho, etc.); exposure to data analytics tools is an advantage.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Behavioural Competencies:

- Exceptional communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior management and external stakeholders.

- Entrepreneurial, relationship-driven and commercially aware.

- High integrity, sound judgment and attention to detail.

- Ability to mentor, motivate and manage teams in a fast-paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Quality and timeliness of engagement delivery; zero compliance lapses.

- New business generated, proposal conversion rate and pipeline growth.

- Revenue, utilization and realization for the practice.

- Client satisfaction and retention.

- Team development, retention and engagement.