Sr Advisor Finance

Overview

Role purpose

The Sr Advisor Finance owns the accuracy and timeliness of the India entity's books, from daily accounting through month-end close to statutory and group reporting. The role delivers clean, audit-ready financials and keeps internal controls compliant with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).

The incumbent is the first point of contact for auditors and a trusted partner to business teams who rely on finance data for decisions.

Key responsibilities

Financial accounting

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and on time in SAP.
• Oversee accounting for revenue, inventory, fixed assets, leases (Ind AS 116 / ASC 842) and intercompany transactions.
• Ensure correct application of accounting standards (local and global) and document accounting positions on new or complex transactions.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable and fixed asset sub-ledgers and their reconciliation to the GL.

Month-end closing and reporting

• Run the month-end, quarter-end and year-end close against the group close calendar and deadlines.
• Prepare and review the close checklist, cut-off procedures and post-close adjustments.
• Complete intercompany reconciliation and confirmation with group entities; resolve mismatches before deadline.
• Submit monthly group reporting packs in the consolidation system with variance commentary.
• Complete blackline reconciliations with 100% accuracy and standards.

Financial and business reporting

• Prepare quarterly balance sheet review deck with variance analysis against current and prior periods.
• Prepare management reports and KPIs for the India leadership team and regional finance.
• Support annual budgeting, quarterly forecasts and ad-hoc business analysis.
• Prepare statutory financial statements under IN GAAP and Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013.

Balance sheet reviews:

• Lead the quarterly balance sheet review with the controller, flagging risks, provisions and write-off needs.
• Assess provisions for doubtful debts, inventory obsolescence, warranty and employee benefits.

Internal and external audit

• Act as the main point of contact for statutory, tax, group and internal auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, PBC (prepared-by-client) lists and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate audit walkthroughs, respond to queries and close audit findings within agreed timelines.
• Track and implement management action plans from internal audit observations.

SOX compliance and internal controls

• Execute and document key SOX controls across record-to-report, procure-to-pay and order-to-cash.
• Maintain process narratives, risk and control matrices (RCMs) and evidence for each control.
• Support SOX walkthroughs and testing by internal and external auditors; remediate any deficiencies.
• Review segregation of duties and user access on finance systems; flag control gaps.
• Ensure compliance with Internal Financial Controls (IFC) under the Companies Act, 2013.

Statutory and tax support

• Coordinate with tax teams on GST, TDS, income tax, transfer pricing and their related reconciliations.
• Support statutory filings, ROC compliance and Form 3CEB / transfer pricing documentation.

Process improvement and systems

• Identify and drive automation and standardisation in close and reporting (SAP S/4HANA, Excel, Power BI).
• Update accounting policies, SOPs and desk procedures.
• Support finance system projects, including migrations and upgrades, as a key user.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential

• Chartered Accountant (CA) with 5–8 years of strong post-qualification experience in financial accounting and reporting.
• At least 3 years in the Indian subsidiary of a multinational, ideally US-listed and SOX-compliant.
• Strong working knowledge of IN GAAP and US GAAP, and of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Hands-on experience running month-end close and preparing group reporting packs.
• Direct experience handling statutory and internal audits end to end.
• Practical exposure to SOX controls design, execution and documentation.
• Proficiency in SAP FI/CO (S/4HANA preferred) and advanced Excel.

Desirable

• Background in life sciences, medical devices, diagnostics or similar manufacturing and distribution businesses.
• Big Four audit experience before moving to industry.
• Working knowledge of GST, TDS and transfer pricing.
• Exposure to Power BI, consolidation tools (e.g., HFM, OneStream) or reconciliation tools (e.g., BlackLine).

Competencies

• Accuracy and ownership: delivers error-free numbers and owns them through review and audit.
• Deadline discipline: works to a tight close calendar without compromising controls.
• Analytical thinking: explains variances in business terms, not just accounting entries.
• Communication: writes clear commentary and holds its own with auditors and global finance teams.
• Stakeholder management: works well with sales, supply chain, service and HR.
• Continuous improvement: looks for ways to simplify, automate and strengthen controls.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities

Financial accounting

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and on time in SAP.
• Oversee accounting for revenue, inventory, fixed assets, leases (Ind AS 116 / ASC 842) and intercompany transactions.
• Ensure correct application of accounting standards (local and global) and document accounting positions on new or complex transactions.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable and fixed asset sub-ledgers and their reconciliation to the GL.

Month-end closing and reporting

• Run the month-end, quarter-end and year-end close against the group close calendar and deadlines.
• Prepare and review the close checklist, cut-off procedures and post-close adjustments.
• Complete intercompany reconciliation and confirmation with group entities; resolve mismatches before deadline.
• Submit monthly group reporting packs in the consolidation system with variance commentary.
• Complete blackline reconciliations with 100% accuracy and standards.

Financial and business reporting

• Prepare quarterly balance sheet review deck with variance analysis against current and prior periods.
• Prepare management reports and KPIs for the India leadership team and regional finance.
• Support annual budgeting, quarterly forecasts and ad-hoc business analysis.
• Prepare statutory financial statements under IN GAAP and Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013.

Balance sheet reviews:

• Lead the quarterly balance sheet review with the controller, flagging risks, provisions and write-off needs.
• Assess provisions for doubtful debts, inventory obsolescence, warranty and employee benefits.

Internal and external audit

• Act as the main point of contact for statutory, tax, group and internal auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, PBC (prepared-by-client) lists and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate audit walkthroughs, respond to queries and close audit findings within agreed timelines.
• Track and implement management action plans from internal audit observations.

SOX compliance and internal controls

• Execute and document key SOX controls across record-to-report, procure-to-pay and order-to-cash.
• Maintain process narratives, risk and control matrices (RCMs) and evidence for each control.
• Support SOX walkthroughs and testing by internal and external auditors; remediate any deficiencies.
• Review segregation of duties and user access on finance systems; flag control gaps.
• Ensure compliance with Internal Financial Controls (IFC) under the Companies Act, 2013.

Statutory and tax support

• Coordinate with tax teams on GST, TDS, income tax, transfer pricing and their related reconciliations.
• Support statutory filings, ROC compliance and Form 3CEB / transfer pricing documentation.

Process improvement and systems

• Identify and drive automation and standardisation in close and reporting (SAP S/4HANA, Excel, Power BI).
• Update accounting policies, SOPs and desk procedures.
• Support finance system projects, including migrations and upgrades, as a key user.

Qualifications

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential

• Chartered Accountant (CA) with 5–8 years of strong post-qualification experience in financial accounting and reporting.
• At least 3 years in the Indian subsidiary of a multinational, ideally US-listed and SOX-compliant.
• Strong working knowledge of IN GAAP and US GAAP, and of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Hands-on experience running month-end close and preparing group reporting packs.
• Direct experience handling statutory and internal audits end to end.
• Practical exposure to SOX controls design, execution and documentation.
• Proficiency in SAP FI/CO (S/4HANA preferred) and advanced Excel.

Desirable

• Background in life sciences, medical devices, diagnostics or similar manufacturing and distribution businesses.
• Big Four audit experience before moving to industry.
• Working knowledge of GST, TDS and transfer pricing.
• Exposure to Power BI, consolidation tools (e.g., HFM, OneStream) or reconciliation tools (e.g., BlackLine).

Competencies

• Accuracy and ownership: delivers error-free numbers and owns them through review and audit.
• Deadline discipline: works to a tight close calendar without compromising controls.
• Analytical thinking: explains variances in business terms, not just accounting entries.
• Communication: writes clear commentary and holds its own with auditors and global finance teams.
• Stakeholder management: works well with sales, supply chain, service and HR.
• Continuous improvement: looks for ways to simplify, automate and strengthen controls.

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. 

 

 

 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.