Financial Controller

Financial Controller

Chennai, India

Are you passionate about driving financial strategy while leveraging AI and automation to transform operations? Do you thrive on ensuring compliance, optimizing cash flow, and building scalable financial systems? We are looking for a Financial Controller who can bring strategic leadership, technical expertise, and innovative thinking to support Vendasta’s India operations and global growth objectives.

About the Job:

The mission of the Financial Controller is to deliver strategic and operational financial leadership across Vendasta’s India operations while embedding digital transformation, AI automation, and global compliance standards. Acting as a key advisor to the Global Country Manager and Finance leadership, this role ensures accurate reporting, optimal cash and resource utilization, and robust governance. At the M3 level, the Controller will architect AI-driven processes that unlock scale, reduce manual intervention, and support predictive insight generation. This role also contributes to Vendasta’s global growth strategy by aligning local financial practices with international expectations and continuously improving through technology and leadership.

Your Impact:

Financial Reporting & Audit

• Lead month-end and year-end closings with a focus on timeliness, transparency, and AI-supported accuracy (e.g., reconciliation bots, variance detection).
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IND AS, and IFRS while promoting digitized audit trails and automation tools like BlackLine.
• Coordinate and support audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting by working closely with external advisors.
  

Taxation & Regulatory Compliance:

• Oversee compliance with Income Tax, GST, TDS, and Transfer Pricing requirements.
• Implement digital systems for real-time tracking and AI-prompted alerts for filing deadlines, discrepancies, or exceptions.
• Liaise with consultants, auditors, and regulators using structured, centralized documentation tools.
  

Internal Controls & Risk Mitigation:

• Maintain a proactive, technology-augmented internal control environment to mitigate financial risk.
• Partner with RevOps, Product, and Engineering to integrate AI into team-specific and cross-functional systems/processes.
• Serve as an internal consultant for AI process adoption, driving change management, enablement, and buy-in across stakeholders.
• Use AI-based anomaly detection and trend-based alerts to monitor transactions and enforce policy adherence.
  

AI-Driven Operational Excellence

• Design and implement scalable, AI-powered workflows that automate repeatable tasks, optimize service delivery, and reduce cycle times.
• Partner with RevOps, Product, and Engineering to integrate AI into team-specific and cross-functional systems/processes.
• Serve as an internal consultant for AI process adoption, driving change management, enablement, and buy-in across stakeholders.
  

Payroll & Labour Law Compliance:

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing with full statutory compliance (PF, ESI, PT, TDS).
• Coordinate with HR and payroll vendors using integrated dashboards and compliance tools.
  

Treasury & Cash Flow Management:

• Own working capital optimization, cash forecasting (≤5% variance), and banking relationships.
• Introduce predictive cash flow modeling using AI-enabled treasury systems and trend analysis.
  

Secretarial Compliance & Corporate Governance:

• Support board meetings through AI-generated summaries and meeting automation tools.
• Oversee statutory filings (RBI, MCA, Board minutes) with a digitized documentation system.
  

Financial Planning & Strategic Analysis:

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling cycles; incorporate AI for scenario modeling and long-range planning.
• Partner cross-functionally to evaluate initiatives, ROI, and efficiency opportunities at a global standard.
  

Operational Leadership & Country Partnership:

• Act as a business partner to the Global Country Manager, contributing to India-based strategic and operational decisions.
• Provide cross-functional support and oversight across India functions; act as a dotted-line people leader where required.
• Ensure alignment between global objectives and regional execution using OKRs and data-backed reporting.
  

Automation & AI KPIs

Own and report on automation KPIs, such as:

• % of team workflows using AI/ML tools
• Time savings generated via automation
• Prompt reuse and success metrics
• AI adoption rate by IC level

Continuously monitor and improve the effectiveness of AI interventions via experimentation, benchmarking, and usage analytics.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Represent your function in cross-departmental initiatives.
• Advocate for your team’s AI needs and contributions in strategy sessions, QBRs, and retrospectives.
• Share scalable practices and learnings with other M2–M4 leaders to foster AI maturity across Vendasta.

What you bring to the table:

• Chartered Accountant with 8–10 years of post-qualification experience.
• Deep understanding of financial frameworks (GAAP/IND AS/IFRS) and statutory compliance.
• Proven track record managing audits, tax, and financial reporting in multinational environments.
  

• Demonstrated experience designing and managing AI/automation solutions (e.g., RPA, GenAI prompts, AI-enhanced workflows).
• Ability to evaluate, implement, and govern AI tools securely, ethically, and in line with data protection standards.
• Strong analytical abilities with a data-driven decision-making mindset.
  

• Minimum 5 years of experience in people management, including coaching and performance reviews.
• Strategic mindset with excellent communication skills, able to translate complex AI concepts for varied audiences.
• Track record of influencing senior stakeholders and leading change across teams.
  

• Contribute to internal AI best practice groups and documentation efforts.
• Model and promote ethical, impactful AI usage aligned with Vendasta’s innovation objectives.
• Drive your team toward measurable AI usage targets (e.g., 80% GenAI tool adoption rate).

About Vendasta:

We’re on a mission to build the most trusted AI-powered platform for small businesses and the partners who support them. At Vendasta, you’ll be part of something ambitious: helping bring AI transformation to local businesses at scale. As a team member, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive health benefits, flex time, and annual work-from-anywhere options
• Equity opportunities and a chance to directly shape our AI future
• A vibrant workplace culture that embraces experimentation, thought leadership, and continuous learning
• A place where building AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the core of everything we do

Perks:

Join the Vendasta team, where your well-being and growth come first. Step into a workplace that blends competitive health benefits with true flexibility, including flex time and an annual work-from-anywhere policy. Take ownership of your future with our Employee Options Program, and enjoy the little things, like daily snacks, a vibrant cafeteria, and catered Friday lunches at our offices. Invest in your growth through education reimbursement, in-house learning opportunities, and a suite of leadership development programs. We’re driven by our values; Drive, Innovation, Respect, and Agility, and it shows in everything we do. Give back through community initiatives and volunteer opportunities, and build more than just a career, build a life you love. At Vendasta, you’ll find the support, the challenge, and the culture to thrive. Discover your potential. Make an impact. Grow with us.

Discover your potential. Build something that matters.

Help us lead the AI revolution from right here in Chennai.