ASHUTOSH AGARWAL
South Penrith,Australia
Summary
Results-driven Plant Controller with extensive experience in financial planning, cost control, and operational efficiency within manufacturing environments. Adept at analyzing complex data to drive strategic decisions and improve profitability. Skilled in budgeting, forecasting, and compliance, with a proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. Known for delivering accurate financial insights that support business growth and operational excellence.
Currently focused on leveraging expertise in controlling and analytics to transition into a Commercial Controlling Manager role, bringing a strong foundation in financial governance, and business partnering.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Controller (Manufacturing Operations)
Ferrero Australia Pty Limited
Lithgow, Australia
07.2022 - Current
- In my role as the Finance controller (Manufacturing Operations) I take complete control of the commercial activities within the Factory.
- I work closely with all the functions in the plant to manage the plants financials and monitor the key resources monthly along with forecasting and strategic planning.
- I exercise complete control over the Plant Financials and look after all aspects of standard costing, variance analysis, general accounting, monitoring capital projects and assist with audits ensuring that proper internal controls are in place and ensuring proper accounting hygiene is being maintained.
- Supporting the Plant Director and the Region and Country CFOs in making key decisions for the plant by supplying them with all the relevant financial information and support.
- Preparation of the annual budgets (COGS and Overheads) and defining the standard cost for each brand on a SKU level within a defined timeline.
- Timely completion of monthly closing activities with the group defined timeline along with Material Ledger closing in SAP to ensure that all costs are accounted reported on a timely basis.
- Exercise Complete control over the plant Inventory.
- Review Capex proposals at the plant level assisting the Plant Management in finding the right ROI of the Investments and ensure all Capex are time closed within assigned budget.
- Head the purchase review committee and critically analyze the requisitions to purchase department ensuring that the spends are within the budget and any deviations are duly approved.
- Ensure compliance to all statutory laws and regulation.
- Ferrero is the third largest selling confectionery brand worldwide, producing Nutella and Tic Tac for Australia and Southeast Asian markets.
Senior Manager (Accounts and Control)
Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd (Lafarge India Limited)
Durgapur, India
08.2016 - 04.2018
- I was heading the Finance and Accounts department of Mejia Cement Plant which is cement grinding unit with 1.5 million tones capacity; I lead a team of three people.
- I worked closely with all the functions in the plant to manage the plant's budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning.
- Preparation of the annual budgets keeping an eye on the various events that lead to escalation/de-escalations in costs and presenting to the management for approval.
- Timely completion of monthly closing activities and timely circulation of report and drive the monthly cost meetings.
- Head the purchase review committee and critically analyze the requisitions to purchase department.
- Ensure compliance to all statutory laws and regulation especially commercial and Indirect Tax laws.
- Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd is a cement manufacturing company.
Manager (Internal Audit)
Lafarge India Limited
Gurgaon, India
03.2014 - 07.2016
- As an Internal Audit team member my purpose was to add value and improve the company’s operations by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
- Management of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework and yearly updating of Risk Register.
- Performing risk-based Internal Audit (covering Pan India operations) as per the mandate of the Audit Committee.
- Review of the SOP and highlight gaps in the processes and drive implementation of improvements suggested.
- Monitoring effectiveness of internal control systems in 3 phased extensive testing annually(Sox Testing).
Manager (Internal Audit)
Hindusthan National Glass & Ind. Ltd.
NCR (Haryana), India
02.2013 - 02.2014
Manager (Internal Audit)
Saregama India Limited
Kolkata, India
06.2012 - 02.2013
Manager (Internal Audit)
Tata Motors Limited
Jamshedpur, India
06.2011 - 06.2012
Audit Associate
Price Waterhouse Coopers (Lovelock and Lewes)
Kolkata, India
09.2007 - 06.2011
- Part of the statutory audit team for various assignments that included Statutory Audits, Limited Review under Clause 41 of the S.E.B.I Listing agreement, Tax Audits and various other assignments for major clients.
Education
Chartered Accountant - Accounting and Finance
Chartered Accountants New Zealand And Australia (CAANZ)
Sydney, NSW06.2024
Chartered Accountant - Accounting and Finance
Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Delhi India06.2011
B.Com (H) -
St. Xavier’s College
Kolkata India01.2006
XII Standard -
Don Bosco School
Siliguri, W.B01.2003
X Standard -
Don Bosco School
Siliguri, W.B01.2001
Skills
- SAP ERP PACKAGE
- Standard costing
- Variance analysis
- Forecasting
- Budget preparation
- Capital project review
- Financial reporting
- Compliance auditing
- Risk management
- Inventory control
- Internal control testing
- Strategic planning
- MICROSOFT
- JD Edwards
- Tally
- Oracle HFM
- Essbase
- Cognos
- Power BI
- Team leadership
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Working capital management
- Credit analysis
- Cash flow management
- Revenue recognition
- Project finance
- ERP systems expertise
Affiliations
- Chartered Accountant, Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), 06/01/11
- Chartered Accountant, Chartered Accountants New Zealand and Australia (CAANZ), 06/01/24
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Cricket
- Music
Languages
- Hindi
- Bengali
- English
- Hindi
- Bengali
Personal Information
- Visa: 186 Employer Sponsored Permanent Residency
- Date of Birth: 01/26/85
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Indian
Timeline
Finance Controller (Manufacturing Operations)
Ferrero Australia Pty Limited
07.2022 - Current
Senior Manager (Accounts and Control)
Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd (Lafarge India Limited)
08.2016 - 04.2018
Manager (Internal Audit)
Lafarge India Limited
03.2014 - 07.2016
Manager (Internal Audit)
Hindusthan National Glass & Ind. Ltd.
02.2013 - 02.2014
Manager (Internal Audit)
Saregama India Limited
06.2012 - 02.2013
Manager (Internal Audit)
Tata Motors Limited
06.2011 - 06.2012
Audit Associate
Price Waterhouse Coopers (Lovelock and Lewes)
09.2007 - 06.2011
Chartered Accountant - Accounting and Finance
Chartered Accountants New Zealand And Australia (CAANZ)
Chartered Accountant - Accounting and Finance
Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
B.Com (H) -
St. Xavier’s College
XII Standard -
Don Bosco School
X Standard -
Don Bosco School