Financial Controller and Company Secretary

Job Title :

Finance Controller & Company Secretary

Company :

For a European Luxury Brand

Summary :

This dual role is responsible for ensuring financial control, compliance, and corporate governance for the Company's India Market. The position acts as a key business partner to brand management, providing financial clarity and contributing to strategic decision-making. It also ensures compliance with statutory requirements and the Companies Act, interfacing with government agencies and Company's legal and tax teams.

Key Responsibilities :

Finance Controller :

Budgeting, monthly closing & reporting, internal control & process improvement, financial analysis, and liaison with finance teams and brand HQs.

Company Secretary :

Corporate governance, secretarial services, compliance with corporate laws, representation before government bodies, and support for finance and accounting services.

Detailed Responsibilities

Finance Controller Responsibilities :

Business Partner :

Works closely with local Brand Management to provide clarity on all financial matters and facilitate decision-making.

Acts as a key contact of Brand Headquarters to comment and explain financial performance.

Contributes to the development of a financial / internal control culture within the Brands.

Budgeting :

Lead brands’ budget processes including preparation, analysis, and submission of budgets, latest estimates & rolling forecasts, and mid-term strategy planning in the Group’s financial reporting systems.

Ensure alignment with Brands and Group requirements and standards.

Monthly Closing and Reporting :

Work efficiently with the Accounting team to ensure all relevant accounting entries are booked properly, in line with IFRS and Group standards.

Deliver timely and accurate monthly reports to the brands (sales reports, detailed P&Ls, Capex monitoring, scorecards, management reporting, ad hoc analysis).

Calculate accruals compliant with IFRS / Group standards and liaise with Accounting for timely booking of entries.

Analyse gross margin and discount levels, reporting any deviations from brand targets.

Review SOSI reports and support brands on all flows including sale on approval, duty impact calculations.

Review inventories (including ageing, provisions, stock adjustments) and coordinate with the Brand to address potential issues.

Prepare and analyse Brand P&L (by Boutique / Department) and balance sheet; alert local Brand Management / Headquarters of risks or deviations.

Follow up on main brand costs (communication, selling costs, personnel costs, etc.).

Elaborate and distribute Brands’ scorecards (or other relevant reports).

Prepare and share yearly reports (e.g., Boutique reporting, Environment reporting).

Ensure completion of required documentation for price adjustments.

Ensure partner agreements are in place.

Internal Control & Process Improvement :

Monitor internal controls within the subsidiary.

Contribute to formalization or continuous improvement of SOPs and processes.

Drive improvement of controlling processes and systems by identifying gaps and leading initiatives.

Share best practices across the department.

Interactions :

Liaise with other Finance Department teams (Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Retail Finance Operations), local Brand teams, Company functions (IT, Logistics, HR, Customer Service), Brand HQs, and Group Finance.

Company Secretary Responsibilities :

Corporate Governance Services :

Advise on good governance practices and compliance with Corporate Governance norms under Corporate, Securities, and other business laws.

Run an effective and efficient corporate compliance programme.

Corporate Secretarial Services :

Promotion, formation, and incorporation of companies.

Filing / registering documents, forms, returns, and applications as an authorized representative.

Maintenance of secretarial records, statutory books, and registers.

Arranging board / general meetings and preparing minutes.

Manage all work relating to shares, transfers, and transmission.

Representation Services :

Represent the company before :

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Other government and quasi-judicial bodies and Tribunals

Finance and Accounting Services (in coordination with Finance) :

Support Internal and External Audit.

Ensure ICS (Internal Control System) conformance.

Review financial statements.

Education : Professional :

Company Secretary (CS), and Chartered Accountant / MBA Finance

Required Experience :

At least 8–10 years of relevant experience in Business Controlling / FP&A

At least 10–12 years of relevant experience in Business Controlling (for MBA Finance candidates)

Personal Attributes :

Team player, proactive, detail-oriented, able to work under pressure, and diligent.

Technical Skills / Abilities :

Strong analytical, numerical, controlling, and reporting skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint)

Personal Skills :

Team player, proactive, detail-oriented, excellent communication skills, able to work under pressure, and diligent.