Website:
smartfinconsulting.com
Job details:
Associate / Engagement Manager – Fractional CFO & Finance Advisory
About SmartFin Consulting
SmartFin Consulting is a fractional CFO and finance advisory firm that partners with founders and leadership teams to bring structure, clarity, and financial discipline to growing businesses. We work closely with startups and mid-sized companies across IT/ITeS, FMCG, e-commerce, services, healthcare, and technology, supporting them through scaling, investor readiness, strategic decision-making, and finance transformation.
Collaboration, ownership, and execution excellence sit at the core of how we work. We're looking for professionals who enjoy solving business problems, working directly with founders and leadership teams, and driving meaningful outcomes across multiple client engagements.
The Role
We're hiring an Engagement Manager with 3–5 years of experience in finance, consulting, transaction advisory, business finance, or CFO advisory. This role suits a qualified CA or CFA who can independently manage client engagements, lead financial analysis, provide strategic insight, and act as a trusted advisor to founders and business leaders.
You'll work directly with SmartFin leadership and client stakeholders, helping businesses improve financial performance, strengthen controls, enhance governance, and build scalable finance functions.
You'll lead multiple client engagements across industries, owning financial reporting, business analysis, budgeting, cash flow management, strategic projects, compliance oversight, and stakeholder management, balancing strong technical finance capability with business acumen, project management, and senior-stakeholder communication.
Core Skills & Attributes We're Assessing For
Throughout the hiring process, we assess candidates across the following six key attributes:
Core Finance & Accounting Capability
- Qualified CA and/or CFA (Level II/III), with 3–5 years in finance, accounting, FP&A, transaction advisory, or CFO advisory.
- Strong command of financial reporting, MIS, and Indian regulatory frameworks (GST, TDS, Companies Act, FEMA, RBI).
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling ability; builds structure from raw, messy data.
- Moves fluidly from variance analysis to insight to a clear, actionable recommendation.
Advisory & Client-Facing Skills
- Comfortable acting as a trusted advisor to founders, CEOs, and leadership teams, not just a report preparer.
- Communicates complex financial ideas simply and confidently, even under pushback.
Fractional Model Fit
- Manages multiple client engagements in parallel without compromising quality or context.
- Adapts quickly across industries, systems, and stakeholder styles while working independently with minimal oversight.
SmartFin Culture & Values Fit
- Ownership mindset—accountable for outcomes, not just tasks completed.
- Collaborative and coachable, with the ability to mentor junior team members while continuing to build personal expertise.
Practical Execution (Role-Level Dependent)
- Engagement Manager: Leads engagements independently, owns client relationships, and reviews and mentors Analysts and Associates.
- Associate: Delivers models, MIS, and analysis under guidance while building towards independent client ownership.
Key Responsibilities
1. CFO Advisory & Business Partnering
- Act as the primary day-to-day finance advisor for assigned clients.
- Work closely with founders, CEOs, and business leaders on strategic decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, working capital, and cash flow.
- Drive finance transformation and process improvement initiatives.
2. Financial Reporting & MIS
- Review and present monthly MIS, management reports, and performance analysis.
- Monitor key business metrics, profitability, cash flows, and operational KPIs.
- Analyze business trends and translate them into actionable recommendations.
- Present insights and performance updates to client leadership teams.
3. Budgeting, Forecasting & FP&A
- Lead annual budgeting and forecasting exercises.
- Develop financial models and scenario analyses.
- Track performance against budget and identify key variances.
- Support business planning and strategic growth initiatives.
4. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
- Monitor cash flow performance and liquidity.
- Develop rolling cash flow forecasts.
- Improve receivables, payables, inventory, and working capital management.
- Support funding and capital allocation decisions.
5. Compliance, Governance & Risk Management
- Oversee compliance with accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements.
- Support clients on FEMA, RBI regulations, ODI/FDI compliance, and corporate governance.
- Help strengthen internal controls and financial governance frameworks.
- Coordinate with auditors, consultants, and external advisors.
6. Stakeholder & Team Management
- Manage client relationships and ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Mentor and review the work of Analysts and Associates.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams and project deliverables.
- Drive accountability and execution across engagements.
Qualifications & Skills
Education
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- CFA Level II or III Candidate
- Master's degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
Experience
- 3–5 years across Finance & Accounting, FP&A, Transaction Advisory, Consulting, Corporate Finance, CFO Advisory, or Business Finance.
Technical Skills
- Strong financial reporting and accounting knowledge.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
- Working knowledge of GST, TDS, Companies Act, FEMA, and RBI regulations.
- Exposure to ESG frameworks, BRSR reporting, governance, or sustainability initiatives is a plus.
Leadership & Communication
- Strong stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to independently manage client engagements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
What We Offer
- Direct exposure to founders, CEOs, and investors.
- Opportunity to lead multiple client engagements across industries.
- Hands-on experience in Fractional CFO and Strategic Finance Advisory.
- Exposure to fundraising, business transformation, ESG, governance, and growth strategy projects.
- A high-learning environment with real ownership and career progression.
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience and performance.
Click on Apply to know more.