Finance Controller(Qualified CA's)

Role - Finance Controller(Qualified CA's)
Work Location - Bangalore

About Lokal :

In 2018, we began with a WhatsApp group with a simple hypothesis: people in tier-2/3 towns weren’t really using the internet meaningfully yet. We believed that if we started with local content in their own language, they’d come back every day; once there was a habit and trust, that same space could naturally grow into classifieds and, eventually, something they used for almost everything online.

This spark became Lokal. Our first instinct was to put everything in one place & one app - local updates, classifieds, jobs, matrimony and more. It worked, till it stopped working. Users gave us the insight - when one use case outweighs the others, everything else seems like noise. We listened. Like how Craigslist quietly seeded a generation of focused companies & marketplaces, we began unbundling and verticalising.

Today, Lokal is a house of focused apps, many products, one mission:
to connect Tier-2/3+ India to the Knowledge, opportunities, tools and experts they’ve always deserved.

We now operate dozens of live apps across categories like:

• Edutainment & Skill Learning – practical skills and learning in regional languages (GyanTV)
• Matrimonial Matchmaking – hyperlocal, compatibility-first partner search (Lokal Matrimony)
• Agri Consulting – farmer-first advisory in local languages (AgriLokal)
• Local Jobs – blue- and grey-collar opportunities close to home (Lokal Jobs, Sahi Jobs)
• Social & Community – Place to find & post social updates (Lokal app)
• Emotional Well-being & Peer Support – safe spaces to talk and feel heard (Dostt & Eaze)
• Astrology & Guidance – instant access to trusted Astrologers via chat and voice (AstroLokal)
• Advisory Services – early bets in legal help, financial guidance, career counselling, and more

Under the hood, Lokal is a discovery and access platform: local-language internet + deep Bharat insight+ AI. When someone opens a product we’ve built, they don’t wade through clutter; they get a straight line to what they came for.

This is the story new teammates walk into:
a company that started as a whatsapp group, became a family of focused apps, and kept one belief at the centre — access changes lives.We ship fast. We learn fast. We build for Bharat.

We are backed by leading global and domestic investors including Y Combinator, Sony, Global Brain, India Quotient, and 3one4 Capital

About the Role: 

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Finance Controller to lead financial operations and support our growth journey, including pre-IPO readiness and fundraising initiatives. This is a high-impact leadership role, ideal for a finance professional with strong business acumen, hands-on experience with ERP systems, and a proven track record in scaling companies. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Financial Strategy & Control 

• Oversee end-to-end financial operations including accounting, reporting, compliance, and controls
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closures and board reporting 
• Manage statutory audits, tax filings, and regulatory compliance (IND-AS, IGAAP, Companies Act, Income Tax etc.) 
• Implement and improve financial systems, internal controls

2. Pre-IPO & Fundraising 

• Drive pre-IPO readiness including due diligence, governance, financial restructuring, and compliance 
• Collaborate with bankers, auditors, and legal advisors during the IPO process 
• Prepare investment decks, financial models, and investor communications 
• Support capital raise activities (equity/debt), including valuations, term sheet negotiation, and investor relations 

3. Financial Planning & Analysis 

• Own budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control 
• Provide financial insights to senior leadership to support decision-making and strategy execution
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and fund utilization efficiently 

4. Team Leadership 

• Lead, mentor, and scale the finance team 
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement

5. ERP  Implementation
Implement new ERP, Prior Experience of handling Netsuite/SAP transition would be plus

Requirements: 

● Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA); CMA or CFA a plus 

● 10+ years of progressive experience in Finance & Accounts 

● Proven experience in pre-IPO processes and fundraising (PE/VC/Strategic) 

● Strong knowledge of IND-AS, IGAAP, financial compliance, and regulatory frameworks 

● Hands-on experience with ERP systems  and advanced Excel/financial modeling 

● Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills 

Nice to Have: 

● Experience working in high-growth startups or pre listed companies 

● Exposure to investor reporting and board presentations 
Why Join Us?

We’re scaling fast with strong fundamentals, on a mission to empower millions through AI and access. At Lokal, you’ll take ownership from day one, build for real impact, and help redefine the roadmap of how Bharat connects to opportunities, knowledge, and experts.