Senior Finance Accountant

Job description

# **The Company** Our mission is to make education affordable by helping institutions increase alumni giving. The idea started from our founders’ own struggle with the lack of scholarships when they were students. [Watch this TEDx talk from Kalyan](https://www.ted.com/talks/kalyan_varma_the_future_of_education) to learn more. We are a bootstrapped company that has grown to be a leader in the alumni software space in the US. We’re slated for even faster growth on the path to becoming market leaders through a unique strategic partnership with [Blackbaud](https://www.google.com/search?q=nasdaq%3Ablkb&oq=nasdaq%3Ablkb&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58j69i61l2.3740j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) (read more [here](https://www.blackbaud.com/newsroom/article/2022/10/21/blackbaud-and-almabase-announce-expanded-partnership-to-redefine-digital-engagement-and-fundraising-for-higher-education) & [here](https://www.blackbaud.com/newsroom/article/2023/03/03/blackbaud-and-almabase-partner-to-redefine-digital-engagement-and-fundraising-for-k-12-schools)) Our customers are universities and high schools, and in most cases, we’re working with staff in the alumni relations and fundraising office at these institutions. The value prop for them at a high level is simple: “Engage more alumni and raise more money from them”. 90%+ of our customers are from the US currently, but we’re starting sales in the UK and Canada this year, so we’ll start to see some more customer regions this year. Our team is based in India and the USA. The India team is based in Bangalore and the US team is fully remote. **The Opportunity** Almabase is currently seeking an Accountant in Bangalore, India. In this role, you will report to the Finance Manager. We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Accountant to manage our financial records, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and support sound financial decision-making across the organisation. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing day-to-day bookkeeping activities, supporting accounting operations, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and internal controls. In this position, you will involve collaboration with an outsourced accounting firm at the starting period and later replace the accounting function entirely with them and oversee other compliance work. Almabase is highly regarded as an employee-centric company with one of the highest Glassdoor ratings in Bangalore ([check it out here](https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Almabase-Reviews-E1548033.htm)). Your learning opportunity is unparalleled as long as you are willing to stay curious and work towards your goals. **Responsibilities :** - Maintain accurate books of accounts including general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable - Own and drive timely month-end and quarter-end close processes, including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations - Identify and drive process improvements and automation opportunities in close, reconciliations, and reporting - Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards (Ind AS / GAAP) - Prepare and issue accurate customer invoices on time, ensuring alignment with contracts, purchase orders, and delivery milestones - Support revenue recognition processes in accordance with ASC 606 / Ind AS 115, including deferred revenue schedules and contract review - Liaise directly with customers in a professional manner to address payment-related concerns, negotiate payment plans where necessary, and maintain positive working relationships - Manage TDS computation, deduction, deposit, and filing of returns (24Q, 26Q) within statutory deadlines - Oversee GST compliance including computation, filing of GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and annual returns - Oversee payroll, computation of salary, and ensure timely disbursement, including PF, ESI, and PT contributions - Perform bank reconciliation, vendor reconciliation, and Intercompany reconciliations regularly - Support statutory audits, internal audits, and tax audits by providing required schedules and documentation - Monitor fixed assets register, depreciation schedules, and capital expenditure tracking - Coordinate with cross-functional teams to resolve accounting discrepancies. - Liaise with banks, vendors, auditors, and regulatory authorities as required - Ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws, company law provisions, and internal financial policies. **Requirements :** **Must-have:** - Completed Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field - Semi-qualified Chartered Accountant - 3-5 years of professional experience in finance or accounting roles, with a focus on accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial operations - Strong understanding of India and US GAAP accounting principles and procedures - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace, including Google Sheets, Docs, and Presentations - Proficiency in using Zoho Books and QuickBooks Accounting software - Experience in conducting financial audits and due diligence processes, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously - Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and interact confidently with stakeholders at all levels. **Good-to-have :** - Qualified as a Chartered Accountant - Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills as well as research skills - Understanding of corporate tax rules and regulatory requirements - Experience in leveraging AI to automate reports and boost proficiency - Understanding of SaaS revenue recognition and expense accounting - Prior experience in AR and collections. **What does your 6 months look like at Almabase?** **Month 1:** - During the first month, you will undergo a comprehensive onboarding process to familiarize yourself with Almabase's culture, values, and operations. - You will be introduced to the team and outsourced consultants, and have the opportunity to understand the expectations and goals. - Gain a deep understanding of Almabase's financial systems, including QuickBooks and Zoho Books, and become proficient in using necessary tools for financial analysis and reporting. - Collaborate with various departments, such as sales and customer service, to learn about their roles and how finance supports their functions. - Review the last 1–2 years of books, bank statements, and AR aging to understand the current state - Review pending TDS filings, GST returns, and any statutory dues. Identify gaps or backlogs - Begin taking ownership of specific tasks such as assisting with AR processes. **By Month 3:** - By the third month, you will have established a strong foundation in your role and have a solid understanding of Almabase's financial operations. - Work closely with the accounting partner to understand the processes and assist in preparing the financial and tax compliance documents. - Take ownership of the entire accounting function, ensuring Tax compliance, invoice preparation, and effective collections, optimizing cash flows. - Complete monthly bank and customer reconciliations without backlog. Flag and resolve all discrepancies - Ensure filing of all TDS and GST returns on time. Ensure zero late filings going forward - Observe the consultants during the stat audit and assist wherever possible, and make sure to learn so that you can start taking ownership of this from next year's audits onwards - Actively identify areas for process improvement and propose innovative solutions to drive efficiency and accuracy in financial systems. **By Month 6:** - At the six-month mark, you will have developed a strong rapport with the team and gained confidence in your role. - Deliver monthly P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements to management independently. - Identify and fix bottlenecks in the invoice-to-collect cycle. Propose automation where applicable - Present a 6-month financial health summary to the Finance Manager with observations and recommendations - Prepare supporting schedules and ensure books are audit-ready for the financial year - Continuously drive data accuracy and integrity across financial systems, utilizing \*\*\*\*your attention to detail and data-driven approach. - Contribute to Almabase’s growth by leveraging your expertise and knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and SaaS business models.