Chief Financial Officer – Professional Services

The Corporate Institute; Mumbai; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

The Corporate Institute is seeking a seasoned Chief Financial Officer to lead our finance function and drive financial strategy for a professional services firm. The role focuses on planning, governance, and performance across billing, treasury and taxation.

You will partner with the CEO/Managing Partners, steer budgeting, profitability analysis and investments, and build a capable Finance & Accounts team to enable strategic growth.

Qualifications

• CA preferred; MBA in Finance is an advantage.
• 15-20 years of senior finance leadership experience.
• Experience in professional services, law firms or partnership-led organisations.
• Strong analytical, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s financial strategy, planning and governance.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and reporting.
• Manage revenue, profitability, cash flow, and working capital.
• Oversee taxation, compliance and financial controls.
• Lead billing, collections and revenue recognition processes.
• Support partner compensation, distributions and strategic investments.
• Build and mentor a high-performance Finance & Accounts team.

Skills

Leadership

Finance Leadership

FP&A

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

CA

MBA in Finance

Job description

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Position Overview:

We are looking for an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the finance function of a reputed law firm. The CFO will be responsible for the firm’s overall financial strategy, planning, profitability, cash-flow management, taxation, compliance, partner reporting and financial governance.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in a professional services environment, preferably with exposure to law firms, consulting firms, Big 4 / accounting firms or other partnership-led organisations.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and implement the firm’s overall financial strategy in alignment with its business objectives.
• Lead annual budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Develop short- and long-term financial plans and scenarios based on business plans, projects and growth objectives.
• Analyse the firm’s financial performance, strengths, risks and areas of improvement, and provide actionable strategic recommendations.
• Support the Managing Partners / CEO in evaluating new practice areas, office expansion, strategic investments and other business initiatives.

Financial Performance & Profitability:

• Monitor and drive revenue, profitability, cash flow and working-capital performance.
• Track and analyse partner-wise, practice-area-wise and matter-wise profitability.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, improved margins and operational efficiency.
• Prepare regular financial and business-performance reports for the Managing Partners and Partners.

Billing, Collections & Revenue Management:

• Oversee client billing, revenue recognition, WIP and debtor management.
• Monitor billing efficiency, collections, outstanding receivables and realisation rates.
• Ensure speed, accuracy and discipline in billing and client payment processes.

Treasury, Banking & Fund Management:

• Lead the firm’s banking, treasury and cash-management activities.
• Maintain adequate liquidity and ensure stable and efficient cash flow.
• Manage short- and long-term borrowing requirements and fund mobilisation.

Taxation, Compliance & Financial Governance:

• Oversee taxation, accounting, statutory and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Establish and strengthen financial controls, policies, processes, approval mechanisms and governance frameworks.

Partner & Leadership Support:

• Manage financial aspects of partner compensation, distributions and profitability.
• Act as a strategic finance partner to the Managing Partners / CEO.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor and develop the Finance & Accounts team.
• Build a strong, process-driven and technology-enabled finance function.

Candidate Profile:

• CA preferred; MBA in Finance from a reputed institution will be an advantage.
• 15-20 years of relevant experience, including significant experience in a senior finance leadership role.
• Strong experience in professional services, with candidates from law firms, Big 4, consulting / accounting firms or other partnership-led organisations preferred.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to convert financial data into actionable business insights.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder-management and team-building skills.

Key Competencies:

Financial Strategy, FP&A, Professional Services Finance, Partner Reporting, Billing & Collections, WIP & Revenue Management, Profitability Analysis, Cash-Flow Management, Treasury & Banking, Taxation, Financial Controls, MIS & Financial Reporting, Financial Modelling, Cost Optimisation, Risk Management, Leadership.