Annesa D'Souza: Ushering Businesses Through Financial Milestones
Annesa Dsouza
CFO
Reliable, detailed and transparent are the three attributes that precedes Annesa Dsouza's reputation in the industry. Close to first attempt CA, Annesa has two post graduate degrees, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, by her side. Until today, Annesa has been successfully designing and running the Finance department for, age old and six startups at a given time including overseas. She has 25 plus years of experience in the areas of complete functioning of the accounting, fund raising, treasury, budgeting, MIS reporting, asset and financial control, ERP implementation, audit, taxation, and risk management in manufacturing & service sectors.
Annesa has also been awarded with certificates from the CEO for three consecutive years for Improved Internal Control Index scores. She believes her differentiation lies in being Resilient, Poised and Energetic. Currently working with aged old companies, to build and improve processes and bring in best practices.
Jack of All Trades, Master of All too
Annesa's KRA include a plethora of goals, one of them is being in the compliance aspect, responsible for managing the upkeep of day to day accounting so as to complete the Audited Finalization within three months of year end by 30th June for all the organizations, not being listed companies. It requires her to relay the budgets on time by mid-week of December by coordinating with all the HODs, so as to plan the next year way ahead. MIS, Quarterly Strategic Plan Reports and all Record2Report to MCA, GST, PF, PT, TDS, DSIR, NSSO, VAT, Central Excise, EDPMS and IMPMS. Another unique goal was that of ISO for Finance, normally not part of the ISO framework, was also successfully completed, as part of the ISO certification for the organization so that the process is full-proof closed with quality standards of documentation and conversion of production to sales and further to ultimately cash.
She has also been put in-charge for the ERP Implementation, wherein she implements SAP for the new entities, including overseas (Croatia), within the given timelines and bringing about a number of SAP improvements for the existing ones.
Annesa handles Debtors management and Fund
Management as well,where in she a handle ensures that the O2C and P2P cycles are adhered to, so as to keep the Working capital cycle under control of debtor days at 45 days and creditor days at 30 days.
Annesa plays at the forefront in availing various lines of credit available for the organization in an efficient manner, like, ECB, LC’s Buyers credit, CC, OD, Term loan, Project financing, BGs, and many more. She is also adept in negotiating with the banks for the T&C of the facility.
As part of her role as the Controller, Annesa has successfully completed all the audits of the organization with strict controls and SOPs, so as to have minimum risk findings YoY. She has expertise in Statutory audit, Tax audit, Transfer pricing audit, Internal audit, VAT audit, Excise audit, Service Tax audit, GST audit, and GSP (USA Customs) audit, and many more.
Adding to the seemingly unending list of responsibilities that Annesa is entrusted with includes, ensuring inventory levels are maintained within limits and non-moving stock & obsolete stock is auctioned accordingly. It also includes maintaining insurance cover for all assets and stocks while reviewing all legal and contract agreements, to mitigate risks.
Besides Finance and its related areas, Annesa has also been a mentor to her subordinates and colleagues, who have risen to be great achievers. She has also successfully led the Capability Building Program(in house) under the Organizational Development process for the complete finance team of the ACG Group-40 Finance members in coordination with Princeton Academy for eight months.
Numbers are her Alibi
Having always been part of the senior management team, reporting to the CEOs & Group CFOs, and interacting with the directors, Annesa has taken an active part in the strategic production and implementa tion of ideas from the F&A side. She says, "My fascination for numbers has helped me to master the famous acronym 'Numbers speak for themselves', and I love them".
Annesa entered the industry in April 1992. 29 years of dealing with numbers, and Annesa is still fascinated by it. With her calculative mind, for her, it has been a completely challenging, exciting and, at the same time, engaging journey so far.
Having assisted organizations for three decades in managing the complete accounts and finance for industry giants, confi guring SAP ERP, arranging funds, MIS reporting, and many more facets, Annesa has emerged to be a very effective F&A executive with the caliber to address any challenge with ease,bringing in innovative tools and methodologies.
Adding to her attributes mentioned earlier, Annesa is an independent, enthusiastic, energetic, result oriented, reliable, detailed and
Annesa plays at the forefront in availing various lines of credit available for the organization in an efficient manner, like, ECB, LC’s Buyers credit, CC, OD, Term loan, Project financing, BGs, and many more. She is also adept in negotiating with the banks for the T&C of the facility.
Annesa has worked with premiere organizations like ACG Group, ACC Concrete, RKHS now SODEXO, Thomas Cook India, Lakme Lever. She has served as the CFO Partner for Super CFO Services, and CFO for Venus Wires Group, all of which are connected overseas.
As part of her role as the Controller, Annesa has successfully completed all the audits of the organization with strict controls and SOPs, so as to have minimum risk findings YoY. She has expertise in Statutory audit, Tax audit, Transfer pricing audit, Internal audit, VAT audit, Excise audit, Service Tax audit, GST audit, and GSP (USA Customs) audit, and many more.
Adding to the seemingly unending list of responsibilities that Annesa is entrusted with includes, ensuring inventory levels are maintained within limits and non-moving stock & obsolete stock is auctioned accordingly. It also includes maintaining insurance cover for all assets and stocks while reviewing all legal and contract agreements, to mitigate risks.
Besides Finance and its related areas, Annesa has also been a mentor to her subordinates and colleagues, who have risen to be great achievers. She has also successfully led the Capability Building Program(in house) under the Organizational Development process for the complete finance team of the ACG Group-40 Finance members in coordination with Princeton Academy for eight months.
Numbers are her Alibi
Having always been part of the senior management team, reporting to the CEOs & Group CFOs, and interacting with the directors, Annesa has taken an active part in the strategic production and implementa tion of ideas from the F&A side. She says, "My fascination for numbers has helped me to master the famous acronym 'Numbers speak for themselves', and I love them".
Annesa entered the industry in April 1992. 29 years of dealing with numbers, and Annesa is still fascinated by it. With her calculative mind, for her, it has been a completely challenging, exciting and, at the same time, engaging journey so far.
Having assisted organizations for three decades in managing the complete accounts and finance for industry giants, confi guring SAP ERP, arranging funds, MIS reporting, and many more facets, Annesa has emerged to be a very effective F&A executive with the caliber to address any challenge with ease,bringing in innovative tools and methodologies.
Adding to her attributes mentioned earlier, Annesa is an independent, enthusiastic, energetic, result oriented, reliable, detailed and
transparent executive, with a willingness to learn and explore."My goal is to compliment business partners in their endeavors, provide support to my employers and stakeholders to my very best, passionately", she adds.
Achievements & Milestones
Being part of a strategic group of the organization, it gave Annesa a level of achievement and high, that she can also contribute to the business and be part of the five-year vision plan. This has been the most satisfying aspect of the job according to her. Annesa's moment of a lifetime and happiness was when she was asked as head of finance to address a group of 150-200 senior leaders of the complete group named 'Leadership Summit' about the financial achievements of the organization handled by herself, within one year of joining the group. Given that her seniors carried 15-20 years of experience in the group, this opportunity was exceptional and remarkable.
"This incident that day in office gave me a feeling of self confidence and pride", says Annesa. Post this, the other HOF also got an opportunity to address from this platform, where she broke the ice, and she did it consecutively for three alternate years.
Guiding Businesses through the Ups & Downs
Annesa has her share of challenges along her journey. Amidst the pandemic, the businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, especially when it comes to managing the finances and ensuring that the company stays afloat. This demands that the Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of companies come up with innovative ideas and take strong decisions to weather the storm. Annesa enlists accuracy & on time deliverables, high pressure, up to date knowledge of all the various laws, people management, peer management, and stakeholder management as some of the persistent challenges with or without the pandemic.
However, Annesa was able to turn these challenges into opportunities in terms of Growth, Empowerment, Knowledge, Global Exposure, Self Confidence, Satisfaction, and Inclusive leadership.
Over the years serving a plethora of organizations, Annesa has had exposure with industries like FMCG, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, Cement, Pharma Engineering, Fashion and Steel, including R&D & LLPs. In the near future, Annesa looks forward to better prospects and key roles in the industry. She welcomes her challenges and is zealous to take on a pivotal role in an organization's financial structure by partnering with businesses. Besides, she looks forward to assisting more premiere enterprises with their long term financial goals. Thus, Annesa is ever grateful for the never ending support of her kids, husband, parents, and mentors without which reaching to this level would have been next to impossible.
Annesa has been a pivotal part of her current organization, responsible for the firm's significant growth. She stepped into the role of CFO in October 2020. Ever since, Annesa has successfully built a solid process framework for the company. Her core areas of expertise include Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Taxation, Costing, Budgeting, Funding, MIS, Reporting, Statutory Compliance, Consolidation, Strategic Management, Asset Management, SAP Configuration, Internal controls, Risk Management, Cash Management, Treasury, Finalization, Variance Analysis, Financial Planning, Forecasting, and many more.
Achievements & Milestones
Being part of a strategic group of the organization, it gave Annesa a level of achievement and high, that she can also contribute to the business and be part of the five-year vision plan. This has been the most satisfying aspect of the job according to her. Annesa's moment of a lifetime and happiness was when she was asked as head of finance to address a group of 150-200 senior leaders of the complete group named 'Leadership Summit' about the financial achievements of the organization handled by herself, within one year of joining the group. Given that her seniors carried 15-20 years of experience in the group, this opportunity was exceptional and remarkable.
"This incident that day in office gave me a feeling of self confidence and pride", says Annesa. Post this, the other HOF also got an opportunity to address from this platform, where she broke the ice, and she did it consecutively for three alternate years.
Guiding Businesses through the Ups & Downs
Annesa has her share of challenges along her journey. Amidst the pandemic, the businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, especially when it comes to managing the finances and ensuring that the company stays afloat. This demands that the Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of companies come up with innovative ideas and take strong decisions to weather the storm. Annesa enlists accuracy & on time deliverables, high pressure, up to date knowledge of all the various laws, people management, peer management, and stakeholder management as some of the persistent challenges with or without the pandemic.
However, Annesa was able to turn these challenges into opportunities in terms of Growth, Empowerment, Knowledge, Global Exposure, Self Confidence, Satisfaction, and Inclusive leadership.
Over the years serving a plethora of organizations, Annesa has had exposure with industries like FMCG, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, Cement, Pharma Engineering, Fashion and Steel, including R&D & LLPs. In the near future, Annesa looks forward to better prospects and key roles in the industry. She welcomes her challenges and is zealous to take on a pivotal role in an organization's financial structure by partnering with businesses. Besides, she looks forward to assisting more premiere enterprises with their long term financial goals. Thus, Annesa is ever grateful for the never ending support of her kids, husband, parents, and mentors without which reaching to this level would have been next to impossible.
Annesa has been a pivotal part of her current organization, responsible for the firm's significant growth. She stepped into the role of CFO in October 2020. Ever since, Annesa has successfully built a solid process framework for the company. Her core areas of expertise include Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Taxation, Costing, Budgeting, Funding, MIS, Reporting, Statutory Compliance, Consolidation, Strategic Management, Asset Management, SAP Configuration, Internal controls, Risk Management, Cash Management, Treasury, Finalization, Variance Analysis, Financial Planning, Forecasting, and many more.