Senior Accountant

Job Description: Senior Accountant - Import & Export Finance

Department: Finance & Accounts

Location: India

Experience: 3-8 Years

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Senior Accountant - Import & Export Finance to independently manage end-to-end accounting operations, statutory compliances, international trade transactions, banking activities, and financial reporting.

The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Indian accounting practices, GST, TDS, import-export accounting, foreign currency transactions, FEMA-related compliance, and international banking operations. Experience working with multiple entities, international vendors, US-based entities, and e-commerce or Amazon marketplace businesses will be an added advantage.

The candidate should be capable of ensuring financial accuracy, maintaining statutory compliance, strengthening internal controls, and improving accounting processes through ERP systems and automation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting & General Ledger Management

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations and maintain accurate financial records.
• Maintain the General Ledger, Chart of Accounts, and supporting schedules.
• Record and review journal entries, accruals, provisions, and other accounting adjustments.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing activities within defined timelines.
• Perform bank, credit card, cash, vendor, and customer ledger reconciliations.
• Handle fixed asset accounting, depreciation, and intercompany reconciliations.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of accounting transactions across business entities.

2. Import & Export Accounting

• Account for import purchases, export sales, and related commercial transactions.
• Record and reconcile freight charges, customs duties, logistics expenses, and other trade-related costs.
• Maintain and verify shipping bills, bills of entry, invoices, and supporting trade documentation.
• Track advance payments, foreign currency transactions, and outstanding import-export settlements.
• Coordinate with Customs House Agents (CHAs), freight forwarders, vendors, and banking partners.
• Monitor export receivables, realization status, and applicable export incentives.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and documentation for international trade transactions.

3. FEMA, Foreign Exchange & Banking Operations

• Monitor export proceeds realization and applicable regulatory timelines.
• Coordinate with Authorized Dealer (AD) banks for import-export documentation and transaction processing.
• Maintain records of foreign inward and outward remittances, including applicable FIRC/FIRA documentation.
• Track international payment schedules, advance remittances, and foreign currency settlements.
• Assist with FEMA and RBI-related compliance, documentation, and reporting requirements.
• Reconcile foreign currency bank transactions and maintain supporting records for audit and compliance purposes.

4. GST, TDS & Statutory Compliance

• Manage GST accounting, reconciliations, and preparation of data for statutory returns.
• Support the preparation and filing of GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and applicable annual returns.
• Perform Input Tax Credit (ITC) reconciliation and investigate discrepancies.
• Ensure appropriate TDS deduction, reconciliation, payment, and return preparation.
• Verify vendor GST details and supporting tax documentation.
• Coordinate with tax consultants and auditors for statutory filings, assessments, and tax audits.
• Maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with applicable Indian tax regulations.

5. Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Verify vendor invoices, supporting documents, and payment requests.
• Process domestic and international payments in accordance with approved procedures.
• Monitor customer receivables, outstanding balances, and collection timelines.
• Conduct vendor and customer account reconciliations.
• Prepare ageing reports and support credit control and working capital management.
• Investigate and resolve payment, billing, and reconciliation discrepancies.

6. Financial Reporting, MIS & Analysis

• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Assist in Profit & Loss analysis, Balance Sheet reviews, and cash flow reporting.
• Prepare budget-versus-actual reports and investigate material variances.
• Monitor working capital, receivables, payables, and cash flow requirements.
• Develop accurate and timely MIS reports to support management decision-making.
• Ensure financial data integrity across accounting records and reporting systems.

7. Audit, Internal Controls & Documentation

• Coordinate with statutory auditors, internal auditors, and external consultants.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documents, and financial statements.
• Maintain organized accounting, taxation, banking, and import-export documentation.
• Ensure adherence to internal SOPs, approval matrices, and financial control procedures.
• Identify control gaps and recommend corrective actions to improve compliance and reduce financial risk.

8. Process Improvement, ERP & Automation

• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows and reduce manual intervention.
• Work with accounting software, ERP platforms, and automation tools to improve operational efficiency.
• Support accounting system integrations, API-based workflows, and financial data automation where applicable.
• Improve reconciliation, reporting, and documentation processes through standardized procedures.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for recurring accounting and compliance activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and Indian financial reporting practices.
• Hands-on experience in end-to-end accounting and financial statement preparation.
• Practical knowledge of GST, TDS, and related statutory compliance.
• Experience in import-export accounting, international payments, and foreign currency transactions.
• Working knowledge of FEMA/RBI-related requirements and export proceeds realization.
• Strong understanding of bank reconciliation, intercompany accounting, and ledger management.
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial analysis and reconciliation.
• Experience with accounting software such as Tally, Zoho Books, or other ERP systems.
• Strong analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with banks, auditors, vendors, consultants, and management.
• A proactive approach to process improvement, documentation, and internal controls.

Educational Qualifications

• B.Com, M.Com, CA Inter, CMA, MBA (Finance), or an equivalent qualification.
• Relevant hands-on experience will be an important consideration alongside academic qualifications.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be preferred:

• Import-export, international trading, or cross-border business operations.
• International e-commerce and Amazon marketplace accounting.
• Accounting for US entities and intercompany transactions.
• Foreign currency accounting, international remittances, and banking documentation.
• Managing accounting and compliance across multiple legal entities or group companies.
• ERP implementation, accounting automation, and process optimization.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Monthly Financial Closing: Complete month-end closing activities within 5 working days, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Bank Reconciliation: Ensure 100% reconciliation of bank accounts, with discrepancies identified and resolved promptly.
• Vendor & Customer Reconciliation: Complete reconciliations monthly and ensure timely resolution of outstanding balances and discrepancies.
• GST & TDS Compliance: Ensure 100% on-time filing and payment of applicable GST and TDS obligations, with accurate supporting documentation.
• Financial Reporting & MIS: Prepare accurate and timely monthly financial statements, management reports, and financial analysis.
• Export Realization Tracking: Ensure systematic monitoring of applicable export receivables and realization timelines, with timely follow-ups on outstanding proceeds.
• Audit Readiness & Compliance: Maintain complete and accurate financial documentation, support audit requirements, and minimize major audit observations.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Continuously identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, strengthen financial controls, and reduce manual intervention.

What We Are Looking For

• A self-driven professional who can independently manage accounting operations and take ownership of deliverables.
• Someone who combines strong accounting fundamentals with practical knowledge of international trade transactions.
• A detail-oriented individual who can identify discrepancies, resolve issues, and maintain high standards of financial accuracy.
• A professional comfortable working in a fast-paced, internationally connected business environment.
• Someone who can coordinate confidently with banks, auditors, tax consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• A process-oriented individual who values compliance, documentation, internal controls, and continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate Profile: A hands-on accounting professional with 3-8 years of relevant experience, strong Indian statutory compliance knowledge, and practical exposure to import-export finance, foreign remittances, and banking operations. Experience with international e-commerce, Amazon marketplace accounting, US intercompany transactions, and accounting automation will provide a distinct advantage.