Sandesh Sonaar

Key Achievements:
• Played a key finance role in the global merger between DIC Group and BASF Colors & Effects India, ensuring a seamless transition and alignment of financial controls.
• Strengthened financial governance by ensuring 100% compliance with statutory audit, internal audit, tax audit, and transfer pricing evaluations.
• Improved business visibility by driving automation and dashboard/report enhancements, enabling actionable insights for leadership.
• Ensured accurate and timely US GAAP Magnitude reporting, local GAAP financial statements, and regulatory submissions.
Responsibilities:
• Lead all finance operations including operational planning, forecasts, monthly close, reporting, and variance analysis.
• Act as business partner to leadership teams; support capex decisions, investment evaluations, and changes in business models.
• Maintain financial books under Local GAAP; govern GL, AP, AR, asset accounting, cost optimization, and financial controls.
• Liaise with global, regional, and cross functional teams including Treasury, AP hubs, and global cash operations.

• Delivered quarterly and annual reporting under IFRS & Ind AS as per SEBI guidelines.
• Presented segmental results to the Board and shareholders with consistent 100% on time reporting.
• Led planning, budgeting, MIS, compliance, and audit coordination.

• Presented statutory reports, monthly budgets, and MIS updates to senior management for decision making.
• Monitored AR/AP and coordinated with departments to ensure timely collections and payments.
• Managed high volume VAT return filing and ensured full compliance with regional regulations.
• Consolidated financial data and prepared consolidated financial statements for GCC operations.
• Assessed internal processes to identify gaps and drive improvements.
• Supported statutory audits by providing accurate schedules, reconciliations, and documentation.
• Managed monthly and annual financial closing, ensuring accurate P&L and financial reports.
• Handled daily cash flow management and prepared cash flow reports for leadership review.
• Built strong banking relationships to secure credit facilities, LCs, and guarantees on favourable terms.

• Managed end to end Accounts and Corporate Finance operations in line with organizational policies.
• Coordinated preparation of P&L statements and monthly/yearly financial reports, ensuring accurate and timely book closure.
• Led the finance team in preparing budgets and MIS reports, collaborating with departments for management submissions.
• Provided financial due diligence insights to support leadership in investment evaluation and strategic decisions.
• Reviewed internal processes to identify variances, strengthen controls, and drive efficiency improvements.
• Supported development of enhanced Oracle-based MIS reporting systems, improving accuracy and reporting speed.
• Oversaw daily cash flow management and liaised with banks to secure credit facilities for smooth operations.

Roles & Responsibilities: Handled the conduct of statutory audits complying with IFRS, GAAP and Standard Audit Procedure of PWC ensuring completion of the assignment within the allocated time deadlines. Accountable for the submission of the final audit report to the Associate Director. Imparted training to 15 Articled Trainees Registered with PWC and built robust business relations with the existing clientele. Successfully conducted independent audit for a limited company and 3 private limited companies.

Managed to coordinate the overall planning, execution and completion of Statutory Audits, Tax Audits, and VAT Audits. Conducted limited reviews within the set time frame. Evaluated taxpayer finances to ascertain the tax liability and handled the preparation & submission of Tax Returns to the Income Tax Authorities of India.