Company Description
The Techlead Group is a globally recognized technology and consulting company driving digital transformation across various industries since 1993. With operations in India, the USA, Singapore, the UAE, and the UK, the company blends decades of expertise with startup-like agility to create scalable and innovative solutions. Serving Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and startups, The Techlead Group specializes in AI/ML, Data Analytics, Cloud Adoption, ERP Solutions, IoT, Blockchain, and Web & Mobile Applications. By co-creating solutions, Techlead simplifies complexities, accelerates innovation, and helps shape a smarter digital future.
Role Description
This is a full-time on-site role for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) based in Pune. The CFO will oversee all financial activities, including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Regular responsibilities include preparing, analyzing, and presenting financial statements, developing strategies to optimize the company’s financial performance, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, and driving efficient financial processes to support the organization’s strategic objectives.
Role Overview
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with 8–9 years of robust post-qualification experience to lead the financial operations of our organization. The CFO will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, driving financial strategy, ensuring statutory compliance, and building world-class finance systems. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in Indian tax and compliance frameworks - GST, TDS, ESIC, PF, and labour law - alongside the gravitas to influence board-level decisions and partner with business functions to accelerate growth.
Key Responsibilities
A. Financial Strategy & Planning
● Own and drive the company's financial strategy aligned with the long-term business plan and board directives.
● Lead annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and rolling 3-year financial planning processes.
● Present MIS reports, P&L analysis, cash flow statements, and financial dashboards to the CEO and Board on a monthly basis.
● Identify financial risks, cost-optimisation opportunities, and capital allocation strategies to maximise shareholder value.
● Evaluate new business initiatives, partnerships, capex projects, and M&A opportunities through rigorous financial modelling.
B. Taxation — GST, TDS / TCS & Direct Tax
● Oversee end-to-end GST compliance: monthly GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, annual GSTR-9 / GSTR-9C (reconciliation), and input tax credit (ITC) management.
● Ensure accurate and timely TDS deduction, deposit, and filing (Form 24Q, 26Q, 27Q, 27EQ) across all payment categories.
● Handle TCS applicability on applicable transactions as per Section 206C and manage Form 27D issuance.
● Drive advance tax estimation, self-assessment tax filing, and corporate income tax returns (ITR-6) within statutory deadlines.
● Manage tax audits (Section 44AB), transfer pricing documentation, and liaise with tax authorities during assessments and appeals.
● Stay current on GST amendments, CBDT circulars, and Finance Act changes; implement required adjustments proactively.
C. Statutory Compliance — ESIC, PF & Labour Laws
● Ensure monthly ESIC (Employee State Insurance Corporation) contribution computation, ECR challan generation, and half-yearly return filing.
● Manage EPF (Employees Provident Fund) compliance: monthly UAN-linked ECR uploads, PF challan payments (employer 12% + admin charges), annual PF returns, and Form 5/10/12A.
● Oversee Gratuity provisioning (as per Payment of Gratuity Act), Leave Encashment liability, and Bonus computation (Payment of Bonus Act).
● Ensure compliance under Professional Tax, Shop & Establishment Act, Contract Labour (R&A) Act, and other applicable state-level statutes.
● Liaise with EPFO, ESIC, and labour department authorities during inspections, audits, and escalations.
D. Accounting, MIS & Financial Reporting
● Oversee month-end and year-end closing: journal entries, accruals, prepayments, provisions, and bank reconciliations.
● Ensure preparation of financial statements as per Ind AS / IGAAP — Balance Sheet, P&L, Cash Flow Statement, and Notes to Accounts.
● Coordinate statutory audits (Big 4 / mid-tier CA firms), internal audits, and secretarial audits; ensure timely finalization of accounts.
● Maintain robust Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) controls; reduce DSO and DPO through process discipline.
● Drive automation of financial reporting using ERP systems (Tally Prime, SAP, Oracle, or Zoho Books).
E. Cash Flow, Treasury & Working Capital
● Manage daily cash position, fund flow planning, and liquidity to ensure uninterrupted business operations.
● Oversee relationships with banks and financial institutions; negotiate working capital limits, term loans, and trade finance facilities.
● Optimise working capital: inventory financing, vendor payment terms, and customer credit policies.
● Manage foreign exchange exposure (if applicable): hedging strategy, FEMA compliance, and RBI filings.
● Evaluate investment of surplus funds in low-risk instruments in line with the Board-approved investment policy.
F. Finance Policies, Controls & Governance
● Design, implement, and enforce the company's Finance Policy Manual covering delegation of authority (DOA), payment approval workflows, and expense claim policies.
● Establish and maintain a strong Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) framework to prevent fraud and errors.
● Define procurement-to-pay (P2P) and order-to-cash (O2C) process controls in collaboration with operations and sales teams.
● Ensure data integrity and segregation of duties in the ERP / accounting system; drive periodic user access reviews.
● Lead policy communication, training, and enforcement across departments to embed a culture of financial discipline.
G. MCA / ROC & Secretarial Compliance
● Ensure timely filing of annual returns (MGT-7), financial statements (AOC-4), board resolutions, and other MCA / ROC submissions.
● Work closely with the Company Secretary on board meeting agendas, minutes, dividend declarations, and shareholding changes.
● Manage ROC compliance for subsidiaries, joint ventures, and holding structures if applicable.
H. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
● Build, mentor, and lead a high-performance finance and accounts team of 5–20 members across functions.
● Act as the primary interface with auditors, bankers, investors, tax consultants, and regulatory bodies.
● Present financial performance and outlook at Board meetings, investor calls, and senior leadership reviews.
● Partner with the CEO, COO, and business unit heads to provide financial insights that drive commercial decisions.
Education & Certification
● Chartered Accountant (CA) from ICAI — strongly preferred.
● CMA (Cost & Management Accountant) / MBA Finance from a reputed institution — also considered.
● Additional certifications: CFA, DISA, or GST Practitioner certification are advantageous.
Experience Requirements
● 8–9 years of post-qualification experience in a senior finance role (Finance Controller, VP Finance, or CFO).
● Prior experience in companies with turnover of INR 50 Cr+ preferred; multi-entity or group-level exposure is a plus.
● Proven track record of independently managing GST audits, TDS assessments, EPF/ESIC inspections, and statutory audits.
● Experience in fundraising (equity / debt), due diligence support, or IPO preparation is an added advantage.
Technical Proficiency
● ERP / Accounting Tools: SAP FICO, Tally Prime, Oracle Financials, Zoho Books, QuickBooks, or equivalent.
● GST Portal, TRACES, E-Filing Portal (Income Tax), EPFO Unified Portal, ESIC Portal — hands-on navigation.
● Advanced MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, financial models); Power BI / Tableau for MIS dashboards.
● MCA21 Portal, XBRL filing, and ROC e-form submission experience.
Core Competencies
● Strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to execution — equally comfortable in the boardroom and in the details.
● Deep command of Indian statutory and tax landscape with the ability to anticipate regulatory changes.
● Exceptional analytical and financial modelling skills; ability to convert data into board-ready insights.
● Strong leadership, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
● High integrity, impeccable professional ethics, and absolute discretion in handling sensitive financial information.
Good to Have
● Exposure to startup / growth-stage company environments with rapid scaling demands.
● Experience with FEMA, ECB regulations, and cross-border transactions.
● Knowledge of ESOP accounting (Ind AS 102) and employee benefit accounting (Ind AS 19).
● Prior Big 4 / mid-tier CA firm audit background before transitioning to industry.
● Familiarity with ESG reporting, sustainability disclosures, or BRSR filing requirements.
What We Offer
● Competitive CTC commensurate with experience and market benchmarks.
● Leadership seat at the table — direct reportage to MD / CEO with Board interaction.
● Opportunity to build and institutionalise finance systems in a scaling organisation.
Interested candidates can share their CV with cover letter on hr@thetechleadgroup.com