Controller Resume Samples and Templates for 2024

Financial Controller Resume Guide for India

A well-crafted financial controller resume is essential for success in India’s corporate finance and accounting sector. Whether you’re a CA seeking your first controller position or an experienced finance professional aiming for roles at MNCs, large Indian corporates, or PE-backed companies, this guide provides everything you need to create a standout resume that impresses Indian employers and passes ATS screening on portals like Naukri and LinkedIn.

This comprehensive guide includes:

• Resume format recommendations for Indian finance sector
• Key skills Indian employers look for
• Complete resume example with Indian context
• Top financial controller employers in India
• Salary insights in INR by experience level
• CA, CMA, and CPA certification guidance
• ATS optimization tips for Indian job portals

Why Your Financial Controller Resume Matters in India

India’s corporate sector is growing rapidly, with MNCs, listed companies, PE-backed firms, and startups actively hiring qualified financial controllers. A strong resume helps you:

• Stand out from thousands of CA and finance professionals on Naukri and LinkedIn
• Pass ATS screening used by corporate HR and executive search firms
• Showcase skills that CFOs and hiring managers value, including financial reporting, compliance, and strategic planning
• Demonstrate your leadership capabilities and track record

Indian CFOs and HR heads typically spend 6-10 seconds reviewing each resume initially. Your controller resume must immediately communicate your CA qualification, industry experience, and leadership abilities. With India’s economy expanding and compliance requirements increasing, controller roles are in high demand—a well-optimized resume is essential for accessing senior finance opportunities.

Financial Controller Resume Format for India

Indian employers prefer clean, professional resume formats for senior finance roles. Here’s what works best:

Recommended Format

• Length: 2 pages (senior roles warrant comprehensive details)
• Layout: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
• Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (11-12pt)
• Sections: Contact, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications

Resume vs CV

For corporate controller roles in India, a 2-page resume format is standard. Academic or research positions may require a detailed CV.

Personal Details for Indian Controller Resumes

Indian resumes typically include:

• Full name with CA/CMA designation (e.g., “Name, CA”)
• Phone number with country code (+91)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile URL
• City, State (full address not required)

What to Avoid

• Decorative fonts or graphics (causes ATS issues)
• Personal information like religion, caste, or father’s name
• Salary expectations (discuss during interview)
• References (provide when requested)

Key Skills for Financial Controllers in India

Indian employers look for a combination of technical finance expertise and leadership capabilities.

Financial Management Skills

• Financial Reporting: Ind AS, IFRS, management reporting, consolidation
• Budgeting & Planning: Annual budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis
• MIS & Analytics: Management information systems, KPI tracking
• Treasury Management: Cash flow management, working capital optimization
• Taxation: Direct and indirect tax compliance, transfer pricing
• Audit & Controls: Internal controls, audit coordination, SOX compliance
• Compliance: Companies Act, RBI regulations, SEBI guidelines

Technical Skills

• ERP Systems: SAP FICO, Oracle Financials, Microsoft Dynamics
• Accounting Software: Tally Prime, QuickBooks
• Reporting Tools: Power BI, Tableau, Excel (Advanced)
• Consolidation Tools: SAP BPC, Hyperion, OneStream
• Analytics: SQL, data analysis, financial modeling

Leadership Skills

• Team Management: Leading finance teams, performance management
• Cross-functional Leadership: Working with operations, sales, HR
• Stakeholder Management: Board reporting, investor relations
• Strategic Planning: Business partnering, decision support
• Change Management: Process improvement, system implementations

Industry Expertise (Valued in India)

• Manufacturing: Cost accounting, inventory management
• IT/ITES: Revenue recognition, project accounting
• BFSI: Regulatory reporting, risk management
• Retail/FMCG: Working capital, distributor management
• Healthcare/Pharma: R&D accounting, regulatory compliance

How to Present Skills

Create a dedicated skills section prominently on your resume. For controller roles, prioritize Ind AS, budgeting, SAP, and team leadership.

Financial Controller Resume Example for India

Here’s a complete resume example tailored for Indian employers:

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Rakesh Sharma, CA

Gurgaon, Haryana | +91-98XXX-XXXXX | rakesh.sharma@email.com | linkedin.com/in/rakeshsharma-controller

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Professional Summary

Results-driven Chartered Accountant with 12+ years of progressive experience in financial controlling, reporting, and business partnering for manufacturing and FMCG sectors. Expertise in Ind AS, budgeting, SAP FICO, and team leadership with proven track record of improving reporting efficiency by 40% and achieving 98% budget accuracy. Experienced in managing finance teams of 15+ members and reporting to CFO and Board. Led successful SAP S/4HANA implementation and established robust internal controls. Seeking Financial Controller role at a leading organization.

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Key Skills

Financial Reporting (Ind AS/IFRS) | Budgeting & Forecasting | MIS & Business Analytics | SAP FICO / S/4HANA | Team Leadership | Internal Controls | Statutory Compliance | Transfer Pricing | Treasury & Cash Flow | Audit Coordination | Cost Management | Power BI | Advanced Excel | ERP Implementation | Board Reporting

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Professional Experience

Financial Controller | Hindustan Foods Ltd (PE-backed) | Gurgaon | April 2019 – Present

• Lead finance function for ₹800 Cr revenue manufacturing company with 3 plant locations
• Manage team of 15 finance professionals including 4 managers across accounting, treasury, and taxation
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting in compliance with Ind AS
• Prepare consolidated financial statements, board presentations, and investor reporting for PE sponsor
• Lead annual budgeting process and monthly forecasting with 98% accuracy vs actual
• Manage treasury operations including ₹50 Cr working capital facilities and cash flow optimization
• Coordinate statutory and internal audits, ensuring clean audit reports for 4 consecutive years
• Implemented SAP S/4HANA Finance module, reducing month-end close from 12 days to 5 days
• Established SOX-compliant internal controls framework ahead of planned IPO
• Reduced finance department costs by 20% through process automation and team restructuring
• Direct report to CFO with dotted line to Group Controller

Senior Manager - Finance | Godrej Consumer Products Ltd | Mumbai | June 2015 – March 2019

• Managed financial accounting and reporting for domestic FMCG business with ₹2,000 Cr revenue
• Led team of 8 finance professionals handling general ledger, accounts payable, and fixed assets
• Prepared monthly MIS packs and variance analysis for management review
• Supported annual budget preparation and quarterly forecast updates
• Coordinated Ind AS transition from Indian GAAP, ensuring smooth adoption
• Managed statutory audits with Big Four auditors (Deloitte)
• Handled transfer pricing documentation and compliance for intercompany transactions
• Received “Finance Excellence” award for implementing automated reconciliation processes

Manager - Accounts | Asian Paints Ltd | Mumbai | July 2012 – May 2015

• Supervised general ledger accounting and month-end close activities
• Managed accounts payable process for 5,000+ vendor base with monthly payments of ₹200 Cr
• Prepared financial statements and supporting schedules for statutory audit
• Ensured compliance with Companies Act, Income Tax, and GST requirements
• Participated in SAP FICO implementation as finance process owner
• Led team of 5 accountants and accounts assistants

Deputy Manager - Finance | Larsen & Toubro Ltd | Mumbai | August 2009 – June 2012

• Handled project accounting for infrastructure division projects worth ₹500 Cr
• Prepared project-wise profitability analysis and cost variance reports
• Managed subcontractor payments and milestone billing
• Assisted in annual budgeting and monthly financial reporting

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Education

Chartered Accountant (CA) | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) | 2009

• Cleared Final exam in first attempt

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com Hons) | Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University | 2006

• First Class with Distinction (82%)

Higher Secondary Certificate | CBSE Board | 2003

• 90% in Commerce stream

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Certifications

• Chartered Accountant (CA) | ICAI | 2009
• CMA (US Certified Management Accountant) | IMA | 2018
• SAP FICO Certification | SAP India | 2015
• Diploma in Information Systems Audit (DISA) | ICAI | 2016
• Leadership Development Program | IIM Bangalore | 2020

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Professional Memberships

• Fellow Member, ICAI (FCA)
• Member, Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• Member, CFO India Network

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Languages

English (Fluent) | Hindi (Native) | Punjabi (Conversational)

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Declaration

I hereby declare that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Rakesh Sharma Gurgaon, December 2024

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Top Financial Controller Employers in India

India’s corporate sector offers excellent opportunities for finance controllers. Here are the top employers:

MNCs & Global Capability Centers

• Microsoft India: Finance controller roles for India operations
• Google India: Regional finance leadership
• Amazon India: E-commerce and AWS finance
• Unilever India: FMCG finance leadership
• Nestle India: Food and beverage finance
• P&G India: Consumer goods finance
• 3M India: Diversified manufacturing

Large Indian Corporates

• Reliance Industries: Diversified conglomerate
• Tata Group Companies: TCS, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Titan
• Mahindra Group: Auto and diversified businesses
• Aditya Birla Group: Multiple businesses
• Godrej Group: Consumer and industrial
• Asian Paints: Market leader in paints
• Larsen & Toubro: Infrastructure and engineering

PE/VC-Backed Companies

• Ola / Uber India: Mobility sector
• Swiggy / Zomato: Food tech
• BYJU’S: Ed-tech
• PhonePe / Paytm: Fintech
• Nykaa / Flipkart: E-commerce
• Manufacturing SPVs: PE-owned companies

Listed Companies (CFO Track)

• Nifty 50 Companies: Blue-chip corporations
• Nifty Midcap 100: Growing mid-size companies
• BSE 500: Broad market coverage

Consulting & Advisory

• Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG): Finance transformation advisory
• Grant Thornton: Mid-market advisory
• Alvarez & Marsal: Restructuring

How to Apply

• Apply through Naukri.com and LinkedIn
• Executive search firms (Egon Zehnder, Korn Ferry, Michael Page)
• Network through CA professional events and CFO forums
• Company career pages for direct applications
• PE/VC firm portfolio company positions

Financial Controller Salary in India

Salaries vary based on experience, company size, industry, and location. MNCs and PE-backed companies typically pay premium.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience	Indian Corporates (INR)	MNCs (INR)	PE-Backed (INR)
Assistant Controller (5-8 years)	₹18 - ₹30 LPA	₹25 - ₹45 LPA	₹22 - ₹40 LPA
Controller (8-12 years)	₹30 - ₹50 LPA	₹45 - ₹75 LPA	₹40 - ₹70 LPA
Senior Controller (12-15 years)	₹50 - ₹80 LPA	₹70 - ₹1.2 Cr	₹60 - ₹1 Cr
CFO/Finance Director (15+ years)	₹80 LPA - ₹2 Cr	₹1 - ₹3 Cr	₹1 - ₹2.5 Cr

Note: Packages often include performance bonuses, ESOPs (in startups), and benefits.

Salary by City

City	Salary Range (Controller Level)
Mumbai	₹45 - ₹80 LPA
Delhi NCR	₹40 - ₹75 LPA
Bangalore	₹40 - ₹70 LPA
Pune	₹35 - ₹60 LPA
Hyderabad	₹35 - ₹55 LPA
Chennai	₹30 - ₹50 LPA

Factors Affecting Salary

• Qualifications: CA essential; CMA, CPA add premium
• Company Size: Revenue scale and complexity matter
• Industry: BFSI, pharma, and FMCG pay higher
• Team Size: Managing larger teams commands higher pay
• PE/VC-backed: Include equity/ESOPs in compensation
• CFO Readiness: Track record for CFO succession valued

Salary data based on executive search firm surveys, Glassdoor, and industry benchmarks.

Certifications for Financial Controllers in India

Professional certifications are crucial for controller-level positions. CA is typically required.

Essential Certifications

Chartered Accountant (CA) - ICAI The gold standard for finance leadership in India. Required for most controller positions. Demonstrates comprehensive accounting, audit, and tax knowledge.

CMA (US Certified Management Accountant) - IMA Valued for strategic planning, management accounting, and performance management expertise. Growing recognition in Indian corporates and MNCs.

CPA (US Certified Public Accountant) Valued for US subsidiary management, SEC reporting, and MNC roles. Often required for US-parented companies.

Specialized Certifications

• DISA (Diploma in Information Systems Audit): IT governance and controls
• ACCA: International accounting qualification
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Investment and treasury roles
• CIA (Certified Internal Auditor): Internal audit leadership

Leadership Programs

• IIM Executive Programs: Leadership and strategy
• ISB Executive Education: Business management
• CFO Academy Programs: Finance leadership development

How to List Certifications

Display CA prominently after your name. Include CMA, CPA, and other certifications with issuing body and year. Leadership programs add credibility for senior roles.

ATS Tips for Your Controller Resume

Most corporations and executive search firms use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Optimize your resume:

For Naukri.com

• Use keywords from job descriptions (financial controller, Ind AS, SAP FICO)
• Keep formatting simple (no tables, columns, or graphics)
• Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
• Upload in .docx or .pdf format
• Update your Naukri profile regularly

For LinkedIn Applications

• Match your resume to your LinkedIn profile
• Use industry-standard job titles (Financial Controller, Finance Head)
• Include relevant keywords in your LinkedIn skills section
• Get endorsements from CFOs and senior colleagues

General ATS Tips

• DO: Use standard fonts, clear headings, bullet points
• DO: Include metrics (managed ₹800 Cr revenue, reduced close by 7 days)
• DO: Mention CA membership status
• DON’T: Use headers/footers, text boxes, or images
• DON’T: Use creative section titles

Keyword Strategy for Controller Roles

Common keywords from job postings:

• Financial Controller, Finance Controller, Finance Head
• CA, CMA, Ind AS, IFRS, GAAP
• SAP FICO, Oracle, Financial Reporting, Consolidation
• Budgeting, Forecasting, MIS, Variance Analysis
• Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management
• Internal Controls, Audit, Compliance, SOX

Final Tips for Your Controller Resume

✅ Display CA qualification prominently—essential for controller roles in India

✅ Show leadership experience—team size, cross-functional collaboration, board reporting

✅ Quantify achievements (improved close by 7 days, managed ₹800 Cr revenue)

✅ Highlight ERP expertise—SAP, Oracle, system implementations are valued

✅ Include industry context—demonstrate sector-specific knowledge

✅ Show CFO potential—strategic contributions beyond accounting

✅ Proofread meticulously—precision expected at controller level

Quick Checklist

• Contact information with +91 phone number and LinkedIn
• CA designation after name (e.g., “Name, CA”)
• Professional summary highlighting scope and achievements
• Skills section with Ind AS, SAP, budgeting, leadership keywords
• Experience showing revenue scale, team size, and achievements
• Education with CA and degree details
• Certifications (CA, CMA, CPA, SAP)
• Professional memberships (ICAI, IMA)
• ATS-friendly formatting
• Declaration statement

Ready to create your professional controller resume? Use our resume builder to get started with expert-designed templates optimized for Indian job portals.

For more guidance on resume structure, check out our resume format guide with tips specifically for senior finance roles in India.