Manager - Accounts

Phoenix Mills; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Mills is seeking an experienced accounts and finance professional to lead AI-driven transformation across its finance operations in Mumbai. The role centers on automating repetitive accounting tasks, integrating AI agents with SAP and Excel, and delivering automated reporting and dashboards to improve accuracy and efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on SAP experience, strong Excel skills, and a proven track record implementing AI-powered automation within finance.

Qualifications

• 5–6 years of relevant experience in Accounts & Finance.
• Strong accounting fundamentals and hands-on SAP experience.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, including Pivot Tables, Lookup functions, Power Query, and financial data analysis.
• Sound understanding of financial reporting, reconciliations, statutory compliance, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• AI Transformation & Agentic Automation: identify opportunities to automate accounting processes using AI.
• Design, implement, and manage AI agents for repetitive workflows with human oversight.
• Automate invoicing, reconciliations, and financial reporting; integrate with SAP and Excel.
• Advance AI-enabled financial analytics; develop automated MIS and dashboards.

Skills

AI literacy

SAP experience

Excel advanced

Financial analysis

Automation experience

Problem solving

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Tools

Copilot

Power Automate

Copilot Studio

n8n

Make

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. AI Transformation & Agentic Automation Primary Focus

• Identify opportunities to automate manpower-intensive accounting and finance processes using AI and agentic AI.
• Design, implement, and manage AI agents capable of executing repetitive accounting workflows with appropriate human oversight.
• Automate invoice processing, ledger scrutiny, bank and vendor reconciliations, expense validation, and financial reporting.
• Integrate AI solutions with SAP, Excel, and other financial systems through approved and secure integrations.
• Develop intelligent workflows for identifying accounting discrepancies, exceptions, anomalies, and potential financial risks.
• Continuously evaluate and implement emerging AI tools to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Establish measurable automation outcomes, including reduction in manual effort, processing time, and manpower requirements.
• Ensure AI-driven processes maintain appropriate financial controls, data security, audit trails, and approval mechanisms.

2. Accounting & Financial Operations

• Manage day-to-day accounting transactions and maintain accurate financial records.
• Work extensively on SAP for accounting, financial data extraction, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Oversee ledger scrutiny, bank reconciliations, vendor reconciliations, and expense accounting.
• Ensure timely monthly financial closing and preparation of financial reports.
• Support internal and statutory audits and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, GST, TDS, and other statutory requirements.

3. Financial Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare monthly MIS, financial dashboards, and management reports.
• Use AI-powered analytical tools to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Develop automated reporting systems to minimise manual data compilation.
• Improve the speed, accuracy, and reliability of financial information for management decision-making.

4. Process Optimisation & Workforce Productivity

• Review existing finance workflows and identify opportunities for process simplification and automation.
• Implement scalable systems that enable growing transaction volumes to be managed without proportionate increases in manpower.
• Reduce repetitive manual work, processing time, and human errors.
• Document automated workflows and ensure their reliability, continuity, and effectiveness.
• Drive a culture of AI adoption and continuous productivity improvement within the accounts function.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Accounting & Technical Competencies

• 5–6 years of relevant experience in Accounts & Finance.
• Strong accounting fundamentals and hands-on SAP experience.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, including Pivot Tables, Lookup functions, Power Query, and financial data analysis.
• Sound understanding of financial reporting, reconciliations, statutory compliance, and internal controls.

AI & Automation Competencies – Mandatory

• Advanced AI literacy with demonstrated hands‑on experience in implementing AI‑driven automation.
• Relevant AI certification from a recognised institution or technology platform.
• Practical familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, Copilot Studio, n8n, Make, or equivalent automation platforms.
• Understanding of agentic AI and the ability to conceptualise, develop, and deploy autonomous or semi‑autonomous workflows.
• Ability to connect AI tools with accounting systems and structured financial data.
• Demonstrated ability to quantify productivity gains and operational savings achieved through automation.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving ability, adaptability, and a technology‑first mindset.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The candidate’s performance will be assessed on:

1. AI Automation: Number and effectiveness of accounting processes successfully automated.
2. Workforce Productivity: Reduction in manual effort, repetitive tasks, and manpower dependency.
3. Process Efficiency: Improvement in reconciliation timelines, monthly closing, and MIS preparation.
4. Accuracy & Compliance: Reduction in errors, improved financial controls, and timely statutory compliance.
5. Scalability: Ability to manage increasing accounting volumes without proportionate increases in team size.
6. Innovation: Continuous identification and deployment of practical AI solutions within the finance function.

Recruitment & Selection Assessment

A practical AI automation assessment will be mandatory as part of the recruitment process.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to apply AI and automation to real‑world accounting scenarios, using sample or anonymised financial data.

The assessment may include:

• Automating bank or vendor reconciliations.
• Identifying ledger discrepancies using AI.
• Developing an AI‑assisted MIS or financial dashboard.
• Designing an agentic AI workflow for a repetitive accounting process.
• Quantifying potential time savings, manpower optimisation, and efficiency improvements.

Selection Weightage

Competency Weightage

• AI & Automation Capabilities 40%
• Accounting & SAP Expertise 40%
• Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills 20%