Head - Accounts/Finance - AgriTech

Location: Chennai

Ginger Partners is hiring for a rapidly growing AgriTech startup that is revolutionizing the agricultural commodities trading industry through AI-powered analytics and digital supply chain optimization. With operations across Asia, Africa, and South America, this company has quickly scaled to a significant annual revenue and is on a mission to become the global leader in digital-first commodities trading. The platform digitizes cross-border supply chains, making them more efficient, transparent, and sustainable, directly connecting farmers and buyers to reduce intermediaries and promote equitable trade.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Accounting Leadership and Optimization:

- Spearhead the standardization and optimization of accounting practices across all global entities, ensuring consistency and efficiency in a multi-currency, multi-commodity environment.

- Design and implement a robust, centralized accounting system capable of handling complex international transactions and providing real-time financial visibility.

- Oversee the month-end and year-end closing processes across all subsidiaries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with international accounting standards.

2. Financial Reporting and Reconciliation:

- Lead the preparation and analysis of consolidated financial statements (monthly, quarterly, and annual), ensuring they accurately reflect the company's global operations and commodity trading activities.

- Develop and implement advanced reconciliation processes to address the complexities of inter-company transactions, multiple currencies, and diverse commodity portfolios.

- Create and distribute comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) reports, providing critical insights into financial performance across various commodities, trading routes, and subsidiaries.

3. Compliance and Controls:

- Establish and maintain a strong internal control framework to ensure the integrity of financial reporting and safeguard company assets.

- Ensure strict compliance with IFRS, local GAAP requirements, and relevant tax regulations across all operating jurisdictions.

- Manage relationships with external auditors, overseeing the audit process and addressing any identified issues promptly.

4. Treasury and Working Capital Management:

- Optimize cash flow management and forecasting processes, crucial for the capital-intensive nature of commodity trading.

- Develop strategies to enhance working capital efficiency, considering the unique challenges of global commodity supply chains.

- Implement effective treasury management systems to handle multi-currency transactions and minimize foreign exchange risks.

5. Strategic Financial Planning:

- Lead the budgeting and financial planning processes, aligning financial strategies with the company's ambitious growth plans.

- Provide in-depth financial analysis to support strategic decision-making, particularly for new trading routes or commodity expansions.

- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) specific to commodity trading, enabling data-driven operational improvements.

6. Team Leadership and Development:

- Build and lead a high-performing global accounting team, fostering a culture of accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

- Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to team members, ensuring the accounting function can scale with the company's rapid growth.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; MBA or professional qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA) preferred.

- 10+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

- Strong knowledge of international accounting standards (IFRS, GAAP) and experience with multi-entity, multi-currency operations.

- Experience in commodity trading or import/export businesses preferred.

- Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

- Experience in building and presenting MIS reports to stakeholders.

- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

What We Offer:

- Opportunity to shape the financial function of a growing, international commodity trading company.

- Exposure to diverse markets and commodities across Asia, Africa, and South America.

- Potential for growth into a CFO role as the company expands.

- Competitive salary and benefits package.

- Dynamic, fast-paced work environment with a culture of innovation.