Accounting Lead

1. JOB PURPOSE:

Lead the accounting function with primary responsibility for accurate books, monthly and annual closing, balance-sheet finalisation, statutory audit coordination, resolution of auditor queries, payroll accounting, TDS compliance and timely financial reporting. Ensure strong reconciliations, documentation and audit readiness.

2. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

– Financial Accounting & Closing: Monthly closing, provisions, accruals, depreciation, ledger scrutiny and accurate books.

– Balance Sheet Finalisation: Schedules, reconciliations, confirmations and support for financial-statement finalisation.

– Statutory Audit: End-to-end coordination, audit schedules, evidence and timely closure of requirements.

– Auditor Query Management: Own audit-query tracker; coordinate data, analyse issues and provide accurate responses.

– TDS & Tax Compliance: TDS deduction, deposits, returns, certificates, reconciliations and notices/mismatches.

– Payroll Accounting: Salary provisions, statutory deductions, payroll entries and reconciliations.

– Reconciliations & Controls: Bank, customer, vendor, inter-company, GST/TDS and balance-sheet reconciliations.

– MIS & Management Support: Closing status, audit tracker and accounting MIS to CFO/management.

3. DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES:

– Drive monthly, quarterly and annual book closure as per the approved closing calendar.

– Review trial balance, general ledger, sub-ledgers and unusual/ageing balances before close.

– Prepare and review schedules for fixed assets/CWIP, inventory, receivables, payables, advances, loans, provisions, accruals and statutory dues.

– Complete bank, customer, vendor, inter-company and statutory reconciliations and resolve aged items.

– Prepare/review financial statements, notes to accounts, schedules and audit working papers.

– Coordinate with statutory auditors from audit planning through finalisation and signing of financial statements.

– Maintain an audit-query tracker with owner, information required, response date and closure status.

– Review audit observations, identify root causes and coordinate corrective actions.

– Ensure TDS deductions, payments, quarterly returns, Form 16/16A and reconciliation of books with statutory records.

– Review payroll accounting including salary provisions, bonus/gratuity provisions where applicable and employee recoveries.

– Support CFO in tax, internal audit, compliance and management reporting matters.

4. BALANCE SHEET FINALISATION & STATUTORY AUDIT:

– Own the year-end closing checklist and ensure all ledgers and supporting schedules are complete before audit.

– Prepare audit-ready schedules and evidence for all material balance-sheet and P&L line items.

– Ensure ageing and confirmation processes for receivables, payables, advances, loans and other balances.

– Review provisions, accruals, prepaid expenses, depreciation, impairment, write-offs and year-end adjustments.

– Reconcile fixed asset register with the general ledger and support verification.

– Reconcile statutory dues and tax balances with returns, challans and books.

– Provide timely, complete and technically sound responses to statutory auditor queries.

– Track audit adjustments, management representation requirements and final audit points through closure.

– Coordinate with CFO, tax advisors, auditors and business functions for finalisation of accounts.

– Ensure financial statements and schedules are accurate and completed within agreed timelines.

5. PAYROLL, TDS & STATUTORY COMPLIANCE:

– Review payroll accounting and salary-related provisions, deductions and statutory liabilities.

– Ensure timely TDS deduction and deposit for salary and non-salary payments, as applicable.

– Review quarterly TDS returns, Form 16/16A, challan reconciliation and correction statements.

– Monitor TDS mismatches, notices and outstanding demands and coordinate timely resolution.

– Reconcile payroll records with books, bank payments, TDS records and employee liabilities.

– Coordinate with HR/payroll for employee master data, tax declarations, deductions and provisions.

– Maintain compliance calendars and documentary evidence for finance-related statutory obligations.

6. KRA / KPI SCORECARD:

– Balance Sheet Finalisation & Closing: 25% – Timely closing; schedule accuracy; no material unreconciled items

– Statutory Audit & Audit Closure: 20% – Audit readiness; timely responses; closure of queries/observations

– Accounting Accuracy & Controls: 15% – GL scrutiny; reconciliations; accounting accuracy

– TDS & Tax Compliance: 15% – Timely deductions, deposits, returns and reconciliation

– Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation: 10% – Accurate payroll entries, provisions and statutory reconciliation

– Financial Reporting & MIS: 10% – Timely and accurate reports / closing status

– Team & Process Improvement: 5% – Capability, SOPs and process improvements