Head of Finance & Accounts

Location: Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra
Experience: 12-20 years (min. 8 years in leadership)
Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Watershed Organisation Trust

WOTR is a non-profit initiative leveraging AI for development, empowering underserved communities, and promoting sustainable growth. We work to rejuvenate ecosystems, boost agricultural productivity, diversify livelihoods, empower women, and improve the health of vulnerable communities. With 350+ professionals across India, we collaborate with practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and donors to create innovative, inclusive solutions.

Role

Lead financial strategy for an organisation transforming rural lives across India. Shape financial management, ensure compliance excellence, and provide strategic insights that support WOTR's mission of building climate-resilient communities whilst overseeing donor reporting and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

Ensure timely and accurate donor reporting and comprehensive financial analysis
Review and analyse monthly and quarterly financial variances to identify trends and opportunities
Maintain adherence to all internal and external reporting standards and statutory timelines
Guarantee compliance with statutory requirements including direct and indirect taxes, FCRA regulations, and other legal obligations
Align internal financial procedures with relevant regulations and statutory requirements
Collaborate with internal and external audit teams, supervising data gathering and finalisation processes
Design robust reporting structures and examine financial statements to identify performance improvement strategies
Lead automation initiatives for institutional and donor financial recording, documentation, and reporting systems
Conduct comprehensive financial analytics, budgeting, and forecasting activities
Handle multi-level financial reporting including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts preparation
Oversee cash flow management and liquidity planning across projects and operations
Conduct detailed revenue and expenditure analysis, project annual budget revenue, and create phased implementation plans
Provide strategic financial support and insights to the Executive Director for organizational decision-making
Supervise budget formulation processes and variance analysis reporting

Requirements

CA qualification or PG in Finance with 12-20 years of experience, including minimum 8 years in comparable leadership positions
Demonstrated effective leadership skills with strategic and solution-oriented approach to financial management
Strong professional demeanour with highest ethical standards and unwavering positive attitude
Excellent communication skills, particularly when engaging with senior management and key stakeholders
Commitment to quality management with continuous drive to enhance financial processes and systems
Extensive experience handling sizeable budgets, finance operations, contracts administration, and negotiation
Proven expertise in project finance management and multi-donor funding environments
Updated and comprehensive understanding of relevant financial laws, regulations, and compliance requirements
Experience in NGO/development sector financial management preferred
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal teams including IT for automation initiatives

Benefits

Opportunity to shape financial strategy for organisation impacting millions of rural lives
Leadership role in established NGO with 30 years of experience and strong donor partnerships
Exposure to diverse funding mechanisms and international development finance practices
Professional growth in mission-driven environment focused on climate resilience and rural development