Financial Controller And Company Secretary

Job Title: Finance Controller & Company Secretary Company: For a European Luxury Brand Summary: This dual role is responsible for ensuring financial control, compliance, and corporate governance for the Company's India Market. The position acts as a key business partner to brand management, providing financial clarity and contributing to strategic decision-making. It also ensures compliance with statutory requirements and the Companies Act, interfacing with government agencies and Company's legal and tax teams. Key Responsibilities: - Finance Controller: Budgeting, monthly closing & reporting, internal control & process improvement, financial analysis, and liaison with finance teams and brand HQs. - Company Secretary: Corporate governance, secretarial services, compliance with corporate laws, representation before government bodies, and support for finance and accounting services. Detailed Responsibilities Finance Controller Responsibilities: - Business Partner: - Works closely with local Brand Management to provide clarity on all financial matters and facilitate decision-making. - Acts as a key contact of Brand Headquarters to comment and explain financial performance. - Contributes to the development of a financial/internal control culture within the Brands. Budgeting: - Lead brands’ budget processes including preparation, analysis, and submission of budgets, latest estimates & rolling forecasts, and mid-term strategy planning in the Group’s financial reporting systems. - Ensure alignment with Brands and Group requirements and standards. Monthly Closing and Reporting: - Work efficiently with the Accounting team to ensure all relevant accounting entries are booked properly, in line with IFRS and Group standards. - Deliver timely and accurate monthly reports to the brands (sales reports, detailed P&Ls, Capex monitoring, scorecards, management reporting, ad hoc analysis). - Calculate accruals compliant with IFRS/Group standards and liaise with Accounting for timely booking of entries. - Analyse gross margin and discount levels, reporting any deviations from brand targets. - Review SOSI reports and support brands on all flows including sale on approval, duty impact calculations. - Review inventories (including ageing, provisions, stock adjustments) and coordinate with the Brand to address potential issues. - Prepare and analyse Brand P&L (by Boutique/Department) and balance sheet; alert local Brand Management/Headquarters of risks or deviations. - Follow up on main brand costs (communication, selling costs, personnel costs, etc.). - Elaborate and distribute Brands’ scorecards (or other relevant reports). - Prepare and share yearly reports (e.G., Boutique reporting, Environment reporting). - Ensure completion of required documentation for price adjustments. - Ensure partner agreements are in place. Internal Control & Process Improvement: - Monitor internal controls within the subsidiary. - Contribute to formalization or continuous improvement of SOPs and processes. - Drive improvement of controlling processes and systems by identifying gaps and leading initiatives. - Share best practices across the department. Interactions: - Liaise with other Finance Department teams (Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Retail Finance Operations), local Brand teams, Company functions (IT, Logistics, HR, Customer Service), Brand HQs, and Group Finance. Company Secretary Responsibilities: - Corporate Governance Services: - Advise on good governance practices and compliance with Corporate Governance norms under Corporate, Securities, and other business laws. - Run an effective and efficient corporate compliance programme. - Corporate Secretarial Services: - Promotion, formation, and incorporation of companies. - Filing/registering documents, forms, returns, and applications as an authorized representative. - Maintenance of secretarial records, statutory books, and registers. - Arranging board/general meetings and preparing minutes. - Manage all work relating to shares, transfers, and transmission. - Representation Services: - Represent the company before: - Ministry of Corporate Affairs - Other government and quasi-judicial bodies and Tribunals Finance and Accounting Services (in coordination with Finance): - Support Internal and External Audit. - Ensure ICS (Internal Control System) conformance. - Review financial statements. Education: - Professional: Company Secretary (CS), and Chartered Accountant / MBA Finance Required Experience: - At least 8–10 years of relevant experience in Business Controlling / FP&A - At least 10–12 years of relevant experience in Business Controlling (for MBA Finance candidates) Personal Attributes: Team player, proactive, detail-oriented, able to work under pressure, and diligent. Technical Skills / Abilities: - Strong analytical, numerical, controlling, and reporting skills - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint) Personal Skills: Team player, proactive, detail-oriented, excellent communication skills, able to work under pressure, and diligent.