Chief Financial Officer

The Position

The Cheran Group of Companies is currently at a juncture where they are looking to align themselves to global needs while also streamlining and professionalizing their business operations.

This is a senior leadership, well positioned strategic role and as the Group Chief Financial Officer, the incumbent will be leading the finance function for the Group to deliver expected financial performance and ensure full compliance with Internal Control rules and company policies. Cheran Group seeks a Group CFO who can achieve a fine balance between compliance, risk, systems & processes, and controls on one hand and drive the financial strategy and develop growth plans to enhance companys revenues and profits on the other hand. The Group CFO will act as the sounding board for major business growth strategies and financial decisions and manage the Groups financials, keeping in mind the current capital structure and developing long term financial goals. S/he will play a catalytic role in driving the success of the Group by monitoring financial performance and developing a profitable financial plan.

The Group CFO will be responsible for overseeing the financial and management reporting with utmost integrity and quality; budgeting; taxation; internal audit; risk management, statutory reporting and advising the group management on strategic and financial matters in the existing business and on new business projects. Further, the incumbent will be responsible for developing key relationships with senior management across businesses and assist with the presentation of commercial information to both the internal and external stakeholders. S/he would be responsible for active corporate governance along with fundraising and managing the Team Members and Consultants across businesses.

This position will independently be responsible for the financial management across:

3 businesses (Real Estate + Education + Tea Plantation) having approx. 1000+ employees in India. The group is in the process of setting up an FMCG Manufacturing unit in the coming year.

The position will manage a team of 40 people spread across all the businesses plus an audit team. Procurement does not report to this role.

Key Job Responsibilities

Advise the management on aspects of capital structuring, business expansion, growth and profitability, strategic alliances, fund-raising, and information systems.

Review, develop and implement internal finance policies, procedures and introduce best practices of finance and accounting; Contribute to the knowledge and implementation of best practices in the businesses, including on regulatory and statutory compliances.

Manage projects, treasury, cost management, budgeting and accounting.

Ensure co-ordination with the Group's Auditors for Statutory Audit, Tax Audit and Internal Audit and other allied matters; ensure finalization of Audits with Statutory Auditors / Internal Auditors

Oversee, guide and coordinate all direct and indirect taxation matters relating to businesses and employees.

Maintain relationships with banks and other external financial intermediaries, as well as with relevant professional bodies.

Take responsibility (either directly or via staff) for all cash management, investments, insurance, budgeting, and financial reporting, and help drive the company's financial strategy and hiring needs.

Coordinate development of annual operating, capital, and program budgets, as well as reporting for the same.

Ensure cash flow is compatible with operations by overseeing day-to-day accounting, recording, reporting, and internal-control activities of the organization.

Oversee monthly P&L for all the businesses along with accounts payable and receivables.

Develop and implement best practices and tools to ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management, risk mitigation, project coordination, cross-team communications, and workflows.

Comply with national and local financial requirements by studying existing and new legislation, keeping oneself updated on any changes and taking appropriate action.

Work with senior managers to efficiently develop budget proposals, provide access to project finance information, and ensure contract/grant compliance and reporting.

Research revenue opportunities and economic trends, analyze internal operations, and identify areas for cost optimization and process enhancement.

Set and reset processes and systems and streamline the implementation of the ERP.

Perform risk management through analysis of company liabilities and investments, and evaluate and manage capital structure and fundraising initiatives.

Recruit, manage and mentor the finance, tax and audit teams across businesses and oversee financial IT systems, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory entities.

Engage very closely with the Managing Director and his office on a continuous basis on all aspects related to financials, profitability, governance and external risk mitigation.

Experience and Competencies

Educational Qualifications

CA / ICWA/ MBA Finance

Must Haves

At least 15 to 18 years of experience in professionally managed organizations. Should have led the finance function independently.

Track record of achievement and growth within the organizations worked in, from the perspective of `value-addition' and the ability to contribute to strategy and business growth.

Financial experience should include hands-on experience in financial accounting, planning, and budgeting, taxation, internal controls, and audit. High degree of sensitivity and awareness of regulatory, compliance and legal issues is important.

Strong business acumen: Must have the ability to understand business / commercial issues and significantly contribute to the business planning process. Possess a firm understanding of critical success factors for operating a profitable and growing group, in a highly complex environment.

Should have experience of working on Oracle or SAP

Demonstrated ability to make decisions under pressure. Effective decision maker, using sound logic and judgment, to identify problems and evaluate alternatives.

Strong analytical skills and exceptional clarity in thinking

Proven negotiation skills and strong presentation skills; ability to interface effectively with peers / senior management and senior external stakeholders.

Integrity and transparency - strongly grounded in values, willingness to take a stand when required.

Key Competencies

Effective people management skills with proven ability to lead and manage multi- disciplinary teams.

Ability to mentor and build the capacity of team members and ensure a harmonious work culture.

A positive energy capable of uniting diverse stakeholders to deliver common goals and a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving.

Someone with the ability to be both strategic yet hands on as required.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English, Hindi and Tamil