Head – Finance Operations & Controllership

Role overview

The hiring company is a fast-growing, technology-driven B2B travel platform in India that supports bookings, fulfillment, and settlements for travel agents, corporates, and distribution partners. With high transaction volumes, complex partner settlements, and an IPO journey underway, the finance function is expected to operate at public-market standards.

This position is for the Head of Finance Operations & Controllership, also referred to as Financial Controller. The role reports to the Chief Financial Officer, with a dotted reporting line to the CEO and Audit Committee for controls and audit-related matters.

Why this role is important

This is a hands-on controllership leadership role, not a routine accounting position. The mandate is to transition the organisation from a high-growth private company to an audit-ready, IPO-grade finance setup. You will be responsible for strengthening the close process, making financials reliable, building internal controls that can withstand scrutiny, and handling auditors and regulators with confidence.

The role is designed to create a strong finance foundation so the CFO can focus on strategy and capital markets while the operations and controllership layer remains robust and dependable.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process and ensure it is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain books of accounts in line with Ind AS and ensure accounting quality is consistently high.
• Keep balance sheet reconciliations disciplined and supported with complete documentation.
• Lead consolidation activities across entities wherever relevant.
• Serve as the main contact for statutory, tax, and internal auditors.
• Plan, manage, and close audits while resolving every open point in a timely manner.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with the Companies Act, GST, Income Tax, and FEMA, as applicable.
• Anticipate audit findings and regulatory issues early and address them before they become escalations.
• Build and reinforce the internal financial controls framework.
• Create SOPs, risk-control matrices, and repeatable process discipline across the finance function.
• Support financial restatements and audit work connected to IPO readiness.
• Prepare the function for the governance expectations and scrutiny associated with a public listing.
• Oversee cash handling, banking activities, and fund movement.
• Track and improve working capital across receivables, payables, and inventory.
• Assist the CFO with bank reporting and covenant compliance.
• Lead, coach, and develop the finance operations team.
• Define ownership, accountability, and delivery timelines clearly for the team.
• Improve productivity through process simplification and automation.
• Work with ERP and IT stakeholders to keep finance systems scalable and effective.

What success looks like

• A close cycle that is fast, predictable, and accurate, with no last-minute surprises.
• An internal controls framework that is properly documented and strong enough for IPO-level audit and diligence.
• Auditors and regulators are managed proactively, with issues closed before they grow.
• A finance operations team that works with clear ownership, strong discipline, and dependable timelines.

Mandatory requirements

• You must be a Chartered Accountant; this is a non-negotiable requirement.
• You should bring 12 to 20 years of experience in finance operations or controllership.
• You need practical, hands-on expertise in Ind AS and direct audit management experience.
• Experience in a listed company, or in a PE-backed or large privately held organisation with strong governance, is required.

Preferred background

• Previous experience with a Big 4 firm in audit or accounting advisory is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to IPO readiness, financial restatements, or public-market reporting will be an advantage.
• Experience scaling a finance function during rapid business growth is desirable.

How the ideal candidate works

• Deep familiarity with accounting standards and internal controls in real operating environments.
• Confidence in dealing with auditors and regulators directly.
• A highly execution-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail.
• The ability to enforce financial discipline without needing repeated escalation.
• A calm, structured, and process-led leadership style.

Why join

• Take end-to-end ownership of the controllership agenda at a profitable and market-leading B2B travel platform.
• Play a key role in one of the company’s most important milestones: the IPO journey.
• Work directly with the CFO and gain visibility with the CEO and Audit Committee.
• Build and lead a finance operations team rather than simply inheriting one.

Additional information

Reporting line: The position reports to the Chief Financial Officer. For control and audit matters, there is a dotted reporting relationship to the CEO and the Audit Committee.

Employment context: Full-time, on-site role based in Pune Division, Maharashtra, India.