Senior Finance Officer

Company Description Wellington College International Pune (WCI Pune) formally opened in September 2023. Situated in a prime location in the city of Pune, with excellent transportation links, we provide an innovative learning environment for a first-class educational experience for pupils aged 2-18. Our world-class facilities allow us to offer the very highest academic and pastoral standards, in tandem with outstanding sporting and cultural opportunities. From August 2024 we introduced the IGCSE curriculum for our Year 10 pupils and we offer the IBDP for our new Year 12 programme from August 2025.

This is a full-time on-site role for a Finance Officer located in Pune.

Strategic Finance & Leadership

Lead the school's overall financial strategy, planning, and operations to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

Provide accurate and timely financial insights to the Principal, Board of Governors, and senior leadership team for decision-making.

Contribute to strategic planning, risk management, and policy development.

Financial Management & Reporting

Prepare and present financial statements including Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss accounts, and Cash Flow statements.

Monitor financial performance, variances, and implement corrective actions as needed.

Ensure strong internal controls and adherence to best practices in financial governance.

Compliance & Regulatory

Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including income tax, GST, corporate filings, and education-sector-specific regulations.

Manage expatriate staff payroll and taxation, ensuring compliance with international taxation norms and double-taxation treaties where applicable.

Oversee audits (statutory, internal, and external) and liaise with auditors, consultants, and government authorities.

Oversee all finance-related aspects of the admissions process, including fee structures, invoicing, collections, and refunds.

Implement transparent and parent-friendly financial processes aligned with the school's ethos.

Monitor fee receivables and manage collection processes to ensure healthy cash flow.

Expatriate Financial Management

Manage tax equalization, relocation allowances, and compliance with home/host country obligations.

Act as a key resource for expatriates to navigate financial, taxation, and compliance matters.

Lead and mentor the finance team to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.

Ensure transparent communication with parents, staff, and external stakeholders on financial matters.

Must-Have Qualifications & Experience

Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent professional qualification.

Minimum 5-7 years of progressive financial leadership experience , with at least 3 years in the education sector or international schools.

Knowledge of statutory requirements in all matters concerning school finances, including Society law, GST, FCRA, PF Act, taxation etc.

Proven knowledge of expatriate taxation, payroll, and compliance .

Strong track record in preparing and analyzing Balance Sheets, P&L, budgets, and financial forecasts .

Demonstrated ability to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and liaise with auditors/regulatory authorities.

Excellent interpersonal skills with cultural sensitivity, particularly when working with expatriates and diverse communities.

Prior experience in an international or IB/IGCSE school environment .

Familiarity with ERP/finance systems in education (e.g., Tally, SAP, Oracle, or school-specific MIS).

Strong commercial acumen with ability to balance educational values with financial sustainability.

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