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