Finance Controller

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Role Overview

The Finance Controller for Palladium India will lead the India Business Partnership Finance Team and be responsible for guiding the development of effective project financial standards, operationalising financial structures for delivery, reporting, and forecasting. Project performance consolidation and regional reporting of performance against forecasts and business metrics as required to drive decision making for the Business Partners.

For awarded projects, the Finance Controller guides the Finance team in translating proposals into business systems (accounting and forecasting) and reporting tools that ensure client objectives are fulfilled and financial performance targets achieved. Operationally, activities such as revenue recognition, workforce administration, inter-company work orders, field expense reporting templates, billing, project audits and support of company audits are to be accomplished through direct contributions and leadership. In addition to project budget (and amendment budget) development, tracking and reporting, the Finance Controller is also expected to provide strategic advice and capacity building to Project Directors/Managers and must have the capacity to bridge project technical approaches with consequent costs and rates of return.

The Finance Controller will provide strategic support to the India Business in the development of cost structures, forecasts and key financial performance indicators. Strategic regional financial performance support includes: the architecture of pool/allocation structures for operating expense to reflect business objectives and value propositions, operating expense management structures and indirect projects, business region financial reporting tools, tracking of actual/forecast performance with variance discussions, financial risk management and working closely with the India Business Leadership Team to assess financial performance historically and into the future.

Your primary responsibilities will revolve around India Business and Project Financial Management (FM) and in particular the incumbent will be expected to:

Operational Responsibilities

• Deliver financial reporting, performance assessment, and financial forecasting/modelling needs of the Business Partners while implementing best practices as outlined by Global Finance.
• Track and report key financial performance metrics such as fee and reimbursable income, project income, business contribution, utilization, backlog, process efficiency (timesheets, billing, report delivery), days sales outstanding.
• Coordinate with the APAC and Global finance team to ensure financial systems maintain alignment with business requirements and to coordinate monthly financial processes.
• Ensure accurate and timely month end close process for India business in coordination with APAC Finance, including assurance that sub ledger reporting is in agreement with the project and general ledgers.
• Implement and lead on 24-month cash and profit forecasts.
• Coordinate closely with other Finance teams to maximize utilization of resources and build global best practices as well as identify opportunities for resource utilization and performance leveraging (value for money) across Palladium.
• Ensure that systems are in place and functioning to identify and mitigate project financial risk and to track realised risks.
• Review financial metrics for bid proposals and provide pricing support and advice as required.

Statutory Responsibilities

• Ensure financial compliance with client contracting regulations and maintain awareness of changes in obligations and markets shifts in financial assessment.
• Ensure compliance with all financial regulations and statutory requirements.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of statutory financial statements and reports.
• Manage external audits and liaise with auditors to ensure timely completion and resolution of audit issues.
• Ensure accurate and timely filing of tax returns and other statutory obligations.
• Manage audit of financial statements for all contracting entities within the region and ensure all tax filings are accurate and lodged on time.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Expand the financial acumen of Project Managers and Business Leaders.
• Provide strategic financial advice in cost structures, key financial indicators, investment assessment, and financial modelling for the Business Region and Business Lines.
• Lead the India Finance team including financial management, payroll, accounts payable and treasury accounting.
• Identify and assess financial & operational risk & opportunities and develop strategies to mitigate risks
• Collaborate with senior leadership to drive strategic initiatives and business growth.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Finance, Business, Accounting or related field
• CA or MBA in finance or CFA
• Strong people management experience, including setting clear performance objectives, managing for results, giving, and receiving feedback, performance evaluation and mentoring and coaching employees
• Extensive experience in project and business financial planning/management preferably within both small and large organizations as well as reflecting professional services activities.
• Understanding of accounting and tax standards.
• Demonstrated personal and situational awareness to build stakeholder confidence and positive relationships with individuals across all levels and areas of the firm

Key competencies and professional expertise required

• Job Cost Accounting and Project Work Breakdown Structure expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a geographically diverse team.
• In-depth understanding of project accounting and linkages to project management.
• Strategic Thinking
• Good ethical standards and integrity
• Team Management

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process