Finance Consultant

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Compliances: Coordinate across multiple domains to ensure all finance related compliances and appropriate documentation. Coordinate response to statutory audits, including acting as the main contact, coordinating responses from others, and directly participating in preparing and reconciling information requested for auditors.

Periodically audit internal records as necessary to validate that transactions are appropriately recorded to ensure compliance, and address gaps as necessary. Ensure all statutory compliance payments and returns are timely and accurate.

Responsible for Payroll processing, supervise and ensure all salary and consultancy related processing and accounting is being done on time. Responsible for timely filing of TDS return, FCRA return, Income Tax return, Charity Commissioner return.

Ensuring timely completion of audits and preparation of final accounts. Interface with auditors, tax advisors, HR consultants on legal and compliance issues for audited financials, payroll, provident fund, profession tax and contractual payments. Responsible for communication with Tax authorities for any details required in relation to scrutiny proceedings or any other matter. Responsible for collation of all data for all kind of scrutiny assessments from various stakeholders.

2. Accounting: Ensure processes and documentation are in place to support all compliance requirements. Ensure reconciliation of all accounts which are related to compliance monitoring, including intercompany balances and transactions between multiple bank accounts, payable and receivable accounts.

Ensure the validity of the accounting documents and validate the conformity of the accounting entries, as well as the allocations as per the budget lines. Ensuring the quality of accounting records and gathering the correct financial information for the preparation of financial reports. Overseeing all donation and grants related accounting after ensuring complete documentation. Responsible for Income Accounting and related documentation.

3. Ensure the dissemination and respect of administrative and financial procedures and ensure that they are kept up to date. Ensuring timely finance related induction is conducted with all the relevant stakeholders.

Responsible for capacity building of all the relevant stakeholders on finance related processes and compliances. Coordinating with program/ domain teams for smooth implementation of finance processes.

4. Technology & Standardization: Improvise accounting system for recording of all financial transactions as required. Coordinate between all programs/domains to ensure same financial system and principles are being followed. Focus on use of technology for automation of processes, collation of standardized information leading to time-saving/ better recording of financial transactions.

5. Banking & Payments: Overseeing all bank related work and bank correspondence. Overseeing all banking related processes, including related accounting and documentation and reconciliations. Responsible for payment process and its documentation and processing of payments as per agreed timelines.

6. Ensure the correct filing and security of the organization's documents (physical and digital versions) for all financial related records.

7. Providing inputs on funder MOUs and other vendor contracts, leave and license agreements for all financials aspects and financial compliance.

8. Manage the planning, distribution, and coordination of finance team's work. Ensure the capacity building of your team (training, exchange of experiences and assistance in your domain). Identifying the training needs of all finance teams or members and develop the capacity-building plan. Develop and monitor individual action plans for team members;

9. Organize monthly team meeting and participate in regular meetings with program teams.

CRITICAL TRAITS

1. In-depth understanding of accounting and financial principles
2. Strong knowledge of donor procedures, compliances, and regulations
3. Sound understanding of Indian laws applicable to non-profits, including scrutiny proceedings
4. Advanced knowledge of accounting fundamentals, management control, and budgeting
5. Understanding of financial structures of Indian non-profits, especially public charitable trusts
6. Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
7. Results-oriented mindset with anticipation and forward planning
8. Ability to work under pressure in complex, dynamic non-profit environments
9. High integrity, sound values, and strong work ethics
10. Sense of accountability, ownership, and responsibility
11. Open-minded, adaptable, and flexible approach
12. Respect for equality, parity, non-discrimination, and valuing peoples strengths
13. Initiative-driven with a strong achievement mindset

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

1. Experience in managing and monitoring large budgets and multi-donor funds
2. Application of financial management tools and systems
3. Effective planning and implementation to meet timelines
4. Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
5. Strong team management, delegation, and staff capacity-building skills
6. Clear and effective written and verbal communication
7. Ability to achieve deliverables through collaboration and teamwork
8. Efficient utilization of organizational resources
9. Building staff capacity on financial processes
10. Ensuring transparency, consistency, continuity, and knowledge sharing
11. Proficiency in accounting, budgeting, and IT tools (Tally ERP 9, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
12. Working knowledge of management software / ERP systems (desirable)
13. Application of basic project management principles