Kallol Kundu: A Strategic Influencer Known for Efficient Finance & Business Startegies
Kallol Kundu
Executive Vice President & Group CFO
CFOs today are expected to fulfil several distinct and challenging jobs. The conventional role continues to be that of a leader responsible for protecting the organization's assets by mitigating risks, keeping accurate records, and running a rigorous financial operation that enhances productivity and convenience. In addition, however, CFOs are increasingly playing more important roles as strategists, assisting in the development of the overall strategy of firms, acting as catalysts, embedding a financial mindset and attitude across the firm to help other areas of business to perform better.
Kallol Kundu, a multi faceted CFO with over 25 years of professional experience, is one such example. Kallol has a wide range of experience across FMCG, Power, EPC, Luxury Hospitality Travel and Tourism industries.
Equally, he has pursued a range of academic ambitions in a variety of fields, ranging from Chartered Accountancy to Information Technology, Fraud Prevention & Detection to International Law and Management.
In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights, Kallol spoke about his professional journey.
What motivated you to consider a career in Finance?
Although my career started with Accounting, MIS, and Treasury, I moved early on to Audit, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance areas of work that I thoroughly enjoyed for a long period. After two decades of diverse experience across a multitude of functions and industries I felt well equipped to take on strategic leadership responsibilities as a CFO.
What have been the most difficult challenges you've faced thus far in your journey? What did you take away from them, and how did you overcome them to become a successful professional?
I have not yet met a situation that I would describe as difficult to overcome; but, external global shocks to economies following 9/11 & 26/11 the recession post 2008, and not to mention, COVID-19 have all helped me strengthen my resilience. I have discovered why humans are the only species referred to as 'Beings', and this understanding has aided me in life lessons, including my professional life.
Which milestones in your professional career have given you the most satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
My most recent professionally satisfying contribution has been to be able to effectively lead through the financial volatility caused by COVID-19. Several other initiatives in the past, particularly those involving big business and technology transformations, have left an indelible impression on me, some of
Today, CFOs have progressed from accounting and financial management to strategic decision making for organizations
What motivated you to consider a career in Finance?
Although my career started with Accounting, MIS, and Treasury, I moved early on to Audit, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance areas of work that I thoroughly enjoyed for a long period. After two decades of diverse experience across a multitude of functions and industries I felt well equipped to take on strategic leadership responsibilities as a CFO.
What have been the most difficult challenges you've faced thus far in your journey? What did you take away from them, and how did you overcome them to become a successful professional?
I have not yet met a situation that I would describe as difficult to overcome; but, external global shocks to economies following 9/11 & 26/11 the recession post 2008, and not to mention, COVID-19 have all helped me strengthen my resilience. I have discovered why humans are the only species referred to as 'Beings', and this understanding has aided me in life lessons, including my professional life.
Which milestones in your professional career have given you the most satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
My most recent professionally satisfying contribution has been to be able to effectively lead through the financial volatility caused by COVID-19. Several other initiatives in the past, particularly those involving big business and technology transformations, have left an indelible impression on me, some of
which have been received very well in the shape of awards and recognitions. My role as a strategic influencer in determining the future trajectory of the financial environment of businesses has perhaps been the most rewarding experience for me through my career.
How would you like to reflect on the changing roles of CFOs and how technology is intervening in finance operations?
CFOs have progressed from accounting and financial management to strategic decision-making for organizations. This is a slightly overwhelming factor to balance, along with conscience keeping for business,and that's where technology comes in. Indeed, the CFO's function in ensuring basic transactional accuracy and appropriateness as well as compliance, can properly be addressed thanks to the increased pervasiveness of technology in financial transaction processing. This frees up time for CFOs to delve deeper into the more analytical and subtle areas of business, where technological developments like AI/ML,RPA and Blockchain are proving to be extremely useful.
How do you stay updated with changes in Financial industry trends to guide your company into the future?
That's a simple one. Rather than you hunting for information regulatory updates now find their way into your mailbox through several sources. Non awareness is no longer an issue, thanks to the spread of virtual seminars following COVID and greater online networking. In fact, quite contrarily, for individuals who can't tell the wheat from the chaff, the tsunami of information available today might be daunting. Personally, I have always been a voracious reader and I cannot say that there has ever been a shortage of academic material to read and stay updated.
Kallol Kundu, Executive Vice President & Group CFO, The Oberoi Group
Kallol is a key management personnel at EIH Limited(a member of the Oberoi Group), and member of the Strategy and Risk Management Committees.
Disclaimer:The views expressed in the article are Kallol’s own and does not necessarily relate to his organizations
How would you like to reflect on the changing roles of CFOs and how technology is intervening in finance operations?
CFOs have progressed from accounting and financial management to strategic decision-making for organizations. This is a slightly overwhelming factor to balance, along with conscience keeping for business,and that's where technology comes in. Indeed, the CFO's function in ensuring basic transactional accuracy and appropriateness as well as compliance, can properly be addressed thanks to the increased pervasiveness of technology in financial transaction processing. This frees up time for CFOs to delve deeper into the more analytical and subtle areas of business, where technological developments like AI/ML,RPA and Blockchain are proving to be extremely useful.
How do you stay updated with changes in Financial industry trends to guide your company into the future?
That's a simple one. Rather than you hunting for information regulatory updates now find their way into your mailbox through several sources. Non awareness is no longer an issue, thanks to the spread of virtual seminars following COVID and greater online networking. In fact, quite contrarily, for individuals who can't tell the wheat from the chaff, the tsunami of information available today might be daunting. Personally, I have always been a voracious reader and I cannot say that there has ever been a shortage of academic material to read and stay updated.
Kallol Kundu, Executive Vice President & Group CFO, The Oberoi Group
Kallol is a key management personnel at EIH Limited(a member of the Oberoi Group), and member of the Strategy and Risk Management Committees.
Disclaimer:The views expressed in the article are Kallol’s own and does not necessarily relate to his organizations