Chief Finance

We are looking for a Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) who is hands-on, accountable, and deeply rooted in operational finance. We do not want a figurehead or a passive overseer - we want a CFAO who leads by doing, understands every aspect of financial functioning, and takes complete ownership of both the strategic and operational side of university finances.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned Chartered Accountant (CA) (not recently qualified) who has progressed through ground-level finance roles and is now ready to anchor the university's financial and administrative functions with a small, focused team of no more than 6-8 members. This role demands someone who is directly involved in transactions, ensures controls are tight, compliance is maintained, and decisions are backed by clear financial insight.

Key Responsibilities

Core Financial Operations (Hands-on)

• Take personal charge of receivables, payables, collections, and fee management, ensuring daily accuracy.
• Regularly engage in bank reconciliations, voucher checks, and ledger accuracy - not just oversight.
• Work on the ground level to ensure seamless cash flow, vendor payments, and reconciliations.

Taxation, Compliance & Controls

• Independently manage TDS, GST, PT, and Income Tax implications for the university.
• Ensure timely filings, audits, and adherence to statutory regulations.
• Identify compliant tax-saving strategies and execute them efficiently.

Budgeting & Planning

• Develop and maintain realistic, detailed annual budgets in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Constantly monitor expenditures vs budget and ensure corrective action where needed.
• Provide monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting with insights.

Strategic Financial Oversight

• Provide financial analysis and scenario planning to support the university's growth vision.
• Evaluate organizational investments, returns, and opportunities for cost optimization.
• Work closely with top leadership on resource planning, infrastructure funding, and capex decisions.

Team Management (6-8 Members)

• Lead and guide a small but efficient team handling accounts, admin, and support functions.
• Be involved in team training, workload allocation, and performance reviews.
• Promote a culture of accountability, discipline, and ethical financial practices.

Key Requirements

• Chartered Accountant (CA) is a must. Candidates must have cleared CA at least 5-7 years ago; recently qualified professionals will not be considered.
• 12-20 years of total experience, with a strong track record of operational finance and direct involvement in financial transactions.
• Should be hands-on, not someone who just delegates or functions only at a strategy level.
• Experience managing teams of up to 6-8 people - no larger.
• Preferred industry: Education, services, or non-manufacturing sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of Tally, Excel, and ERP systems is essential.

Key Requirements

• Education: Chartered Accountant (CA).
• Experience: 12-20 years of progressive post qualification experience in finance and administration, preferably with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Must have worked at the ground level in core finance operations - not just supervised.
• Experience in the education or service industry is desirable.
• Should be able to balance tactical financial control with strategic insight.

What We're Looking For

• A go-getter who leads with accountability, not just instruction.
• A grounded professional who believes in execution as much as in planning.
• Someone who thrives in a compact, high-responsibility team structure.
• Financial discipline, ethical work practices, and transparency are non-negotiable.

Why Join Us

Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore is at an exciting phase of growth. We are building an ecosystem that emphasizes performance, transparency, and responsibility. As CFAO, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial and administrative backbone of the university.