Finance Controller

Role Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned, hands-on Finance Controller with strong expertise in both Core Accounting and Core Finance. The candidate will be responsible for independently managing the organisation’s end-to-end finance and accounts function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust controls, statutory compliance, effective working capital management, and commercially sound financial decisions. The role requires a professional who can operate at both operational and strategic levels. Experience in FMCG, food processing, manufacturing, or distribution will be preferred; plant accounts and manufacturing finance exposure will be a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Core Accounting & Financial Operations· Lead day-to-day and month-end accounting across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, banking, treasury, payroll accounting, and reconciliations.

· Ensure accurate and timely accounting entries, ledger scrutiny, provisions, accruals, fixed-asset accounting, and monthly/annual book closure.

· Oversee preparation and review of trial balance, balance sheet, profit and loss account, and supporting schedules.

· Manage vendor payments, customer collections, ageing, credit controls, and accounting records.

2. Core Finance & Financial Management· Lead budgeting, annual operating plans, financial forecasting, and periodic budget-versus-actual analysis.

· Monitor cash flow, fund flow, liquidity, working capital, receivables, payables, and banking facilities.

· Review profitability, cost structures, margins, financial risks, and business performance; provide actionable insights to management.

· Drive cost optimisation, financial discipline, and efficient utilisation of funds.

· Manage banking relationships, treasury operations, fund planning, and financing-related coordination.

3. Plant Accounts & Manufacturing Finance· Oversee plant-level accounting and coordinate with plant, production, procurement, stores, and operations teams.

· Manage inventory accounting, stock valuation, physical stock reconciliation, raw material consumption, work-in-progress, and finished goods accounting.

· Review product costing, manufacturing overheads, cost allocation, production variances, wastage, and other factory costs.

· Analyse material, labour, overhead, and production cost variances and recommend corrective actions.

· Ensure appropriate accounting and control over logistics, factory expenses, and factory/outlet sales transactions.

4. Financial Reporting, MIS & Audit· Prepare and review monthly MIS, financial statements, cash flow statements, dashboards, and management reports within agreed timelines.

· Ensure reliability and integrity of financial data and explain key movements, variances, and performance trends.

· Coordinate statutory, internal, tax, and other audits; ensure timely closure of audit observations.

· Support financial decision-making through analysis of business performance, cost trends, and financial exposure.

5. Statutory Compliance & Financial Controls· Ensure timely and accurate compliance with GST, TDS, Income Tax, and other applicable statutory requirements.

· Establish, review, and strengthen internal financial controls, accounting policies, approval matrices, and standard operating procedures.

· Maintain proper documentation and ensure adherence to applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

· Identify control gaps, financial risks, and process inefficiencies and implement appropriate improvements.

6. ERP, Systems & Process Improvement· Oversee effective use of ERP and accounting systems to support accurate accounting, financial reporting, and controls.

· Drive process standardisation, automation, and improvements in finance and accounting workflows.

· Ensure data accuracy, system discipline, and timely availability of financial information.

7. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management· Lead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounts team; allocate responsibilities and review performance.

· Set clear timelines and accountability for accounting closures, reporting, compliance, and reconciliations.

· Work closely with senior management and cross-functional teams to support operational and business objectives.

Required Experience & Competencies:

· 12+ years of relevant experience across finance and accounts, with substantial hands-on responsibility for both functions.

· Prior experience as Finance Controller, Financial Controller, Head – Finance & Accounts, Senior Finance Manager, or in a comparable leadership role is preferred.

· Strong command of core accounting, financial statements, month-end/year-end closure, taxation, and statutory compliance.

· Strong command of core finance, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and fund flow, working capital, financial analysis, and business performance review.

· Ability to independently lead the complete finance and accounts function, not limited to review or supervisory responsibilities.

· Experience in FMCG, food processing, manufacturing, or distribution is preferred.

· Plant accounts management, inventory controls, product costing, and manufacturing finance experience will be an added advantage.

· Hands-on experience with ERP/accounting systems and advanced MS Excel.

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Industry Background:

FMCG, Food Processing, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, and Distribution.

Candidates with direct experience in plant finance, factory accounting, inventory management, product costing, manufacturing cost control, and overall financial management within these industries will be preferred.