Finance and Accounts Controller (PSS07651)

Job Title: Finance and Accounts Controller

Location: Mumbai

About the client: PSS has been mandated to hire a Finance and Accounts Controller for a fast-growing D2C beauty brand organisation.

Job Purpose

As the Finance & Accounts Controller at a D2C beauty brand, you will play a pivotal role in managing the financial aspects of the company. You will work closely with leadership to ensure the company’s financial health and sustainability, specifically in relation to working capital management, overseeing the entire accounts function, including but not limited to building and monitoring the P&L, balance sheet, statutory requirements, cost optimization efforts, MIS reporting & more.

Key Responsibilities
• Sole custodian of all finance-related work at the organization.
• Develop and maintain financial models to forecast cash flow requirements, ensuring adequate working capital.
• Assess the company’s working capital needs and develop strategies to optimize cash flow, including managing debt vs equity capital.
• Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory levels to ensure efficient cash conversion cycle.
• Evaluate financing options and structures, including debt facilities and equity investments, to support working capital requirements.
• Collaborate with external partners such as banks, investors, and financial advisors to negotiate favourable terms for financing arrangements
• Prepare regular financial reports and presentations for management, investors, and other stakeholders. Provide financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements in financial reporting.
• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies to safeguard the company’s assets and financial stability.
• Continuously assess and improve financial processes and systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy in working capital management.
• Collaborate with other departments such as operations, sales, and marketing to align financial goals with business objectives.
• Act as the controller for departments to adhere to revenue and expense projections, minimizing variance from the annual budget and business plan.
• Set up a robust account-wise forecasting model to help improve predictability and bring in financial discipline.
• Set up monthly review cadence for Leadership Team members, comprising deep dives of specific P&L items.
• Help build a framework for quarterly and annual operating plans, and conduct periodic budget vs actual variance analysis.
• Scale from strategic business building projects to detailed spreadsheet modelling and analysis.
• Develop a clear understanding of key business drivers, analyse key financial metrics, and provide value-added inputs to the founder.
• Work collaboratively with the founder for Investor reporting, fundraising and financial risk management.

Specific Responsibilities
• Lead a team that manages books of accounts using standard accounting software.
• Create processes for statement reconciliation from various revenue sources, including online sales.
• Create Monthly, quarterly, and annual P&L, cost analysis, profitability analysis, and other important dashboards for the company.
• Ensure statutory compliances such as GST, TDS, and PF.
• Ensure Company Act and shareholder agreement-related compliance.
• Create monthly budgets and revenue plans.
• Analyse unit economics, profitability, revenue leakages, and other financial metrics.
• Prepare monthly MIS investor dashboards and presentations.
• Prepare for audits and due diligence.
• Create financial controls for various processes such as vendor payments. Reimbursements, vouchers, and record keeping, etc.
• Ensure all banking transactions, including the payout of salary, incentives, etc, are carried out in a smooth and timely manner.

Qualifications
• Qualified CA or MBA in Finance or both
• 6+ years of experience in various aspects of finance at a D2C brand with proven experience
• Strong understanding of financial principles, including working capital management, debt vs equity financing, and financial analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate insights effectively.
• Proficiency in financial modelling, spreadsheet software, Tally, uni-commerce
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving business needs. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence decision-making.
• Excellent analytical ability.