Ascend Capital - Vice President - Finance/Treasury

VP FINANCE (Treasury) Ascend Bizcap Pvt. Ltd. (NBFC)

Location: Jaipur

About Ascend:

Ascend Capital (Ascend Bizcap Pvt Ltd) is a rapidly growing NBFC headquartered in Jaipur, focused on commercial EV (Electronic Vehicle) financing. Co-founded by IIT and IIM alumni, we are at the forefront of the EV revolution and recently closed our Series A round to power our growth phase.

Overview of the position:

We are looking for a self-driven, motivated, and ambitious VP-Finance to be a key player within the organization, play a crucial role in overseeing finance and accounts, raising funds, ensuring compliance with RBI norms, and act as a representative of the company for various external stakeholders. The position will be based in Jaipur and directly report to the CEO.

Key Role and Responsibilities:

• Finance and Accounts and Reporting: Drive finance and accounts function overseeing the finance team and oversee timely preparation and presentation of financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards. Driving statutory and internal audits in line with this objective.
• Financial Planning and Budgeting: Develop and implement the financial strategy, including goal-setting, budgeting, and forecasting. Provide insights for strategic decisions by analysing financial trends and market conditions. Ensuring cost control in line with the board approved budgets.
• Fundraising and Treasury Management: Overseeing the company liquidity and cash management activities, including optimizing the balance between short-term and long-term funding sources. Manage liquidity and cash flow to meet the company's operational needs and financial obligations. Build and maintain relationships with debt funders and ensure timely availability of funds for the business at optimum funding costs. Oversee the investment of surplus funds in accordance with regulatory guidelines and risk tolerance.
• Capital Management: Planning and optimizing the NBFC capital structure to maintain regulatory compliance and support business growth. Evaluate and structure the funding options to ensure the NBFC's capital adequacy requirements, and manage relationships with lenders, investors, and stakeholders to secure necessary capital at favorable terms.
• Investor Relations: Proactively drive communication with shareholders, investors, and market analysts to communicate the companys market positioning, financial performance and growth potential.
• Financial and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with RBI regulations, accounting standards, tax guidelines and industry best practices specific to NBFCs. Ensure timely completion of statutory and regulatory filings. Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to navigate complex regulatory environment.
• Financial Controls: Establish and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard assets and prevent fraud. Ensure compliance with AML, KYC and other control related policies.
• Financial Risk Management: Assessment and management of financial risks the company might be exposed to and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor finance and accounting teams, providing guidance, training, and development opportunities while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Technology and Automation: Identify and implement financial technology solutions to streamline processes and improve decision-making, and implement operational best practices for the finance and reporting functions.
• Tax Management: Oversee tax strategy and compliance to optimize tax liabilities while adhering to relevant tax laws.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• 5 to 10 years of post-qualification experience in finance and accounting roles, with at least 4 years of experience in a senior financial leadership position in an NBFC, MFI, bank or other financial institutions.
• The ideal candidate should possess a strong work ethic, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate a strong desire to learn on the go, perseverance, and a solution-based approach to challenges.
• Chartered Accountants (CA) or post graduate degree in field such as finance or MBAs preferred. But others can be considered if they bring deep experience in financial leadership positions in past roles.
• Fund raising experience and relationship with debt funders (banks, NBFCs, other financial institutions) is required. Prior experience in investor relations with equity investors is preferred.
• A commercially astute mindset, with the ability to understand and articulate business drivers well; prior knowledge of Indian financial sector regulations and NBFC guidelines is a plus.
• Comfortable in a young company and a fast paced work environment while ensuring they take all internal and external stakeholders along.
• Strong understanding of accounting standards, and risk management practice and excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in required financial software and tools.
• Strategic thinker and the ability to provide actionable financial insights to drive business growth.