Senior Associate, Specialist Accounts Payable, Finance

Description - ExternalFinance aims to deliver world-class standards in reporting, financial planning and finance processes. Our analyses support smart decisions for the bank, from product development to customer profitability. We also handle tax compliance and accounting.A key part of our role involves supporting vendor payment processes with strong focus on India tax compliances related to Accounts Payable function. The role requires hands-on experience in GST, TDS / withholding tax, input tax credit, reverse charge, vendor tax validations, tax reconciliations, audit support, and handling tax-related queries / assessment notices, etc.

Job Duties & Responsibilities: Monitor and manage GST, TDS / withholding tax and related India tax compliances associated with vendor payments.Partner closely with the Tax team for timely preparation, validation and submission of GST returns, TDS returns, tax schedules, challan details, reconciliations and supporting workings.Handle GST notices, TDS queries, vendor tax clarifications and audit requirements related to vendor payments by working closely with Tax, Accounts payable team, outsourced service provider, vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure logical and timely closure.Perform and review GST input credit reconciliations, GSTR-2B / purchase register matching, reverse charge mechanism, TDS reconciliations, tax GL reconciliations, and exception follow-up to minimise tax leakage, interest, penalties and compliance gaps.Support implementation of tax-related process changes invoice management system, lower deduction certificates, PAN-Aadhaar / Section 206AB checks and other regulatory amendments impacting vendor payments. Also independently handle Tax matters requiring any representation to Tax Department.Monitor performance of the outsourced service provider against agreed SLAPerform balance sheet reconciliation and substantiation for tax specific accounts, including GST receivable / payable, TDS payable etc.Maintain SOPs, trackers, control checklists and audit evidence for GST, TDS / withholding tax and other tax compliance activities handled by the AP team.Keep track of changes in India GST and withholding tax regulations impacting vendor payments and ensure required process updates, controls and stakeholder communications are completed.

Education / Preferred QualificationsChartered Accountant with minimum 5 years of experience, preferably with hands-on exposure to India GST, TDS / withholding tax and vendor-payment tax compliance.Knowledge of tax regulationsMBA or Postgraduate with strong Accounts Payable tax operations experience, especially GST, TDS, tax reconciliations and vendor-payment compliance, can also be considered.

Core CompetenciesGood attitude, ownership mindset and team-player approach with strong problem-solving skills in tax compliance and vendor-payment related issues.Good communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with Tax, AP, vendors, outsourced service providers, auditors and internal stakeholders.Excellent MS-Office skills, including strong Excel capability for tax reconciliations, exception tracking, audit schedules and management reporting.Good stakeholder management skills with ability to drive timely closure of GST, TDS, audit, notice and vendor tax-related matters.

Technical CompetenciesStrong working knowledge of India GST and TDS / withholding tax compliances relating to vendor payment processing, including tax code selection, rate validation, ITC eligibility, RCM, returns and statutory timelines.Hands-on experience in AP tax operations, GST audits, tax audit schedules, TDS returns, vendor tax master review, GST notice handling and reconciliations in a bank or large organisation.Sound accounting knowledge with understanding of tax GLs, accruals, provisions, vendor payments, balance sheet substantiation and audit evidence requirements.