Senior Associate-Finance

Job Description

Who we are

Plaksha is a 21st-century university focused on solving global challenges through transformative technology education. A unique collective philanthropy effort, our initiative is driven by a dedicated team committed to advancing technology education in India.

Role: Senior Associate Finance

We are looking for a detail-oriented and process-driven Assistant Manager-Finance to own the Accounts Payable and Bookkeeping function. The role will be responsible for accurate and timely AP processing, vendor payment governance, statutory compliance, and monthly closing support, while ensuring the integrity of financial records that underpin the University's decision-making.

Location: Mohali
Reporting to: Associate Director – Finance

Job Description

Accounts Payable Operations

• Own the end-to-end Accounts Payable (AP) process, ensuring completion within defined turnaround times.
• Review and approve complex or high-value invoices, ensuring accurate GL, cost centre, project, and tax coding.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce invoice rework, errors, and vendor escalations.

Vendor Payments, Controls & Cash Coordination

• Plan and review payment runs in coordination with the Finance and Banking teams to ensure fund availability.
• Ensure strict adherence to the approval matrix and payment control framework.
• Maintain robust controls to prevent duplicate, incorrect, or unauthorized payments.

Vendor Reconciliation & Query Management

• Conduct periodic vendor ledger reconciliations.
• Ensure timely resolution of vendor queries and disputes.
• Reduce long-pending open items and maintain accurate ageing and vendor statement reconciliations.

Bookkeeping, Monthly Closing & General Ledger

• Ensure accurate booking of expenses and journal entries, including monthly accruals, provisions, and cut-off entries.
• Maintain alignment between the AP sub-ledger and the General Ledger.
• Provide timely support during month-end and year-end closure activities.

Statutory & Tax Compliance

• Ensure accurate deduction and accounting of TDS and GST, including compliance requirements related to foreign payments.
• Ensure timely deposit of TDS and provide accurate data for tax return filings.
• Maintain complete statutory documentation and ensure compliance with applicable requirements, with zero tolerance for errors that could result in penalties.

Audit Support & Compliance

• Ensure timely submission of AP and bookkeeping records for statutory and internal audits.
• Resolve audit queries related to AP and bookkeeping.
• Maintain robust documentation and audit evidence trails.
• Ensure closure of audit observations within agreed timelines.

Department-wise MIS & Budget Monitoring

• Prepare monthly department-wise MIS reports within defined timelines, including Budget vs. Actual analysis across departments.
• Coordinate with functional teams on expense tracking and budget utilization.
• Support the Associate Director – Finance with accurate, timely, and decision-ready financial data.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in  Finance, or a related discipline.
• CA (Inter), CMA, or MBA Finance is preferred.
• 6–12 years of relevant experience in Accounts Payable, Bookkeeping, General Ledger, or related Finance functions.
• Prior experience in a mid-to-large organization with multi-department or multi-project financial operations.
• Working knowledge of GST, TDS, and statutory compliance requirements, including foreign payment compliance.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Tally, or equivalent.
• Strong command of MS Excel for reconciliation, analysis, and MIS reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage month-end closing cycles and support audit processes.

Skills

• Strong understanding of AP processes, GL accounting, and statutory tax compliance, particularly GST and TDS.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and MIS/Budget reporting tools.
• High attention to detail with a strong control and governance mindset.
• Effective vendor and stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with sound judgment and minimal supervision.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for effective cross-functional coordination and audit interactions.

What Can Plaksha Offer You?

• A mission-driven workplace with opportunities to collaborate with leading minds in academia and industry.
• A transparent work culture embodying our values C.R.E.A.T.E. – Curious, Rigorous, Enterprising, Authentic, Thankful, and Exemplary, fostering continuous learning and personal growth.
• An inclusive environment that values diverse talent, promotes innovation, and supports the development of individuals from underrepresented groups.