Akanksha Airan

Seasoned Chartered Accountant with expertise in consulting, M&A, compliance, reporting, and project management. Skilled in collaborating with C-suite leaders, leveraging SAP ERP, Power BI, and MS Suite to drive strategic goals through creative problem-solving and empathetic leadership.

Work Experience

Area Controller- Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Led the largest team of 11 controllers responsible for statutory audits, tax, and international compliance of 40+ LSEG group companies in MEA and UK region, (turnover ~ $ 2.5 billion). Promoted twice in 2 years.
  • This included complying with end-to-end audit requests, preparation of standalone/consolidated financial statements, supporting group audit, validating tax computations & schedules and presenting the FS to the board.
  • Hired & mentored team to achieve accelerated growth- 5 members promoted in one year (v/s company. average of 2-2.5 years)
  • Strengthened international stakeholder relations by leading high-impact meetings, conducting consistent budget vs actual variance analysis & aligning deliverables with expectations of the C-suite
  • 100% record of achieving regulatory deadlines across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and the UK through managing global cross-functional teams, both internal and external.
  • Managed end-to-end technical accounting and post deal integration for 7+ IP acquisitions by the LSEG valuing over $200 million
  • Managed core technical accounting for impairment testing (of investments worth $10 billion), and its impact on transfer pricing and intellectual property assets of the group.
  • Saved $5 million through recovery of historical tax balances in Kuwait business by conducting an extensive analysis of past 6-years’ internal and external tax records.
  • Spearheaded the transition to latest reporting laws for 20+ group companies in the UK region, thereby saving the $500K in outsourcing costs.
  • Led digital transformation initiative and crafted framework to streamline audit across 150 companies, saving over 10,000 man-hours annually by using advanced data analytics
  • Prepared annual budget for high-stakes regulated company with critical data analysis for 2 years. Negligible variances resulted after year end when compared with actuals. Appreciated by the C-suite for deep understanding of the business and removing historical inconsistencies.
  • Conceptualized survey to improve the employee recognition program in collaboration with people ops, presented the results to C-Suite and consequently led the implementation of the improved program for 25000+ employees globally

 

Business Unit Controller, Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Saved $500K costs by leading adoption and implementation of first-time IFRS 16-lease accounting adoption & implementation and front-ending its digital integration.
  • Independently built review framework through macro models for accurate reporting of transfer pricing income (~67% of group turnover of $ 6 billion) establishing the processes and control framework for identifying & mitigating variances.

 

Assistant Controller, Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Spearheaded the VAT deregistration of an entity by completing tax audits for 6 years in 4 months (vs company average of 24 months) and saved $800K annually
  • Facilitated the acquisition of financial & risk business (Refinitiv) by the Blackstone Group saving $800K in advisory expenses. Set up 20+ new companies in MEA and UK region.
  • Resolved historical audit errors for a $500 million company by recalibrating the material mismatches of past 10 years in the financial statements.
  • Responsible for compliance of 25+ group companies in the MEA region. This included preparing financial statements, monthly cost variance analysis, quarterly balance sheet analysis & transfer pricing analysis, identifying and implementing scope for automation, streamlining, conducting timely and efficient audit process for each entity, budget forecasting, and variance analysis with actual data.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | KPMG India (BSR & Associates LLP) | Bangalore

  • Led the internal controls SOX audit for 5 US-listed clients, conducted rigorous walkthroughs of internal financial control processes (IFCPs) (e.g. procure to pay (P2P), order to cash (O2C), payroll, fixed assets etc), presented deficiencies to the client's CFO, provided consultation for remediation, and led accurate implementation as per the bylaws. 
  • Steered the adoption of new accounting regulations for a major real estate developer (turnover- $400 million), & provided technical consultation for financial reporting to the CFO and team.
  • Conducted site-wide training for IFRS implementation, wherein the audience included partners as well as associates.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | M.L. Airan & Co. | Indore

  • Assisted in the statutory audits of 50+ clients in diverse industries such as steel, textiles, transportation, chemicals. 
  • Prepared and filed 200+ income tax returns and 250+ indirect tax returns that were the major source of income for the firm.
  • Assisted in tax assessment proceedings, conducting research based on precedence.
  • Conducted end-to-end quarterly internal audit for leading seeds trading companies in India for 2 years and presented recommendations to the Board and audit committee.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | EY India (S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP) | Bangalore

  • Single-handedly executed inception-to-completion statutory audit procedures for large scale companies in IT sector and finalized the income tax returns.
  • Conducted the firm's largest inventory audit in 21 warehouses under a tight deadline.
  • Prepared income tax returns of all the audit clients under my remit, finalised based on audit report, and obtained partner approvals.
     
Accomplishments
  • Applause award: Top award amongst team of 150 controllers for leading the company wide IFRS 16 implementation & digital integration in 2019
  • Certificate of excellence: For leading MEA region compliance with highest efficiency in prior 6 years.
  • Silver recognition: Annual 2nd place recognition in finance team for managing the work of another manager in his absence for 1 year.
Education

Chartered Accountant, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Bachelor of Commerce, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore
 

Certificates
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Leading a monthly book review club since 2021 for 100+ like-minded people
  • Wildlife enthusiast - Visited various national tiger reserves in India every year for the last 13 years for tiger sightings and photography
  • Founded the support group - “Heal” for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse at IIMA.
     

Quick Look

  • Work Experience: 9.3 Years
  • Previous Roles

    Area Controller, London Stock Exchange Group

     

    Audit Senior, KPMG India (BSR & Associates LLP)

  • Function : Consulting
    Finance/Accounting
  • Industry/Sector: BFSI
    Consulting
Work Experience

Area Controller- Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Led the largest team of 11 controllers responsible for statutory audits, tax, and international compliance of 40+ LSEG group companies in MEA and UK region, (turnover ~ $ 2.5 billion). Promoted twice in 2 years.
  • This included complying with end-to-end audit requests, preparation of standalone/consolidated financial statements, supporting group audit, validating tax computations & schedules and presenting the FS to the board.
  • Hired & mentored team to achieve accelerated growth- 5 members promoted in one year (v/s company. average of 2-2.5 years)
  • Strengthened international stakeholder relations by leading high-impact meetings, conducting consistent budget vs actual variance analysis & aligning deliverables with expectations of the C-suite
  • 100% record of achieving regulatory deadlines across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and the UK through managing global cross-functional teams, both internal and external.
  • Managed end-to-end technical accounting and post deal integration for 7+ IP acquisitions by the LSEG valuing over $200 million
  • Managed core technical accounting for impairment testing (of investments worth $10 billion), and its impact on transfer pricing and intellectual property assets of the group.
  • Saved $5 million through recovery of historical tax balances in Kuwait business by conducting an extensive analysis of past 6-years’ internal and external tax records.
  • Spearheaded the transition to latest reporting laws for 20+ group companies in the UK region, thereby saving the $500K in outsourcing costs.
  • Led digital transformation initiative and crafted framework to streamline audit across 150 companies, saving over 10,000 man-hours annually by using advanced data analytics
  • Prepared annual budget for high-stakes regulated company with critical data analysis for 2 years. Negligible variances resulted after year end when compared with actuals. Appreciated by the C-suite for deep understanding of the business and removing historical inconsistencies.
  • Conceptualized survey to improve the employee recognition program in collaboration with people ops, presented the results to C-Suite and consequently led the implementation of the improved program for 25000+ employees globally

 

Business Unit Controller, Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Saved $500K costs by leading adoption and implementation of first-time IFRS 16-lease accounting adoption & implementation and front-ending its digital integration.
  • Independently built review framework through macro models for accurate reporting of transfer pricing income (~67% of group turnover of $ 6 billion) establishing the processes and control framework for identifying & mitigating variances.

 

Assistant Controller, Data and Analytics Division | London Stock Exchange Group | Bangalore

  • Spearheaded the VAT deregistration of an entity by completing tax audits for 6 years in 4 months (vs company average of 24 months) and saved $800K annually
  • Facilitated the acquisition of financial & risk business (Refinitiv) by the Blackstone Group saving $800K in advisory expenses. Set up 20+ new companies in MEA and UK region.
  • Resolved historical audit errors for a $500 million company by recalibrating the material mismatches of past 10 years in the financial statements.
  • Responsible for compliance of 25+ group companies in the MEA region. This included preparing financial statements, monthly cost variance analysis, quarterly balance sheet analysis & transfer pricing analysis, identifying and implementing scope for automation, streamlining, conducting timely and efficient audit process for each entity, budget forecasting, and variance analysis with actual data.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | KPMG India (BSR & Associates LLP) | Bangalore

  • Led the internal controls SOX audit for 5 US-listed clients, conducted rigorous walkthroughs of internal financial control processes (IFCPs) (e.g. procure to pay (P2P), order to cash (O2C), payroll, fixed assets etc), presented deficiencies to the client's CFO, provided consultation for remediation, and led accurate implementation as per the bylaws. 
  • Steered the adoption of new accounting regulations for a major real estate developer (turnover- $400 million), & provided technical consultation for financial reporting to the CFO and team.
  • Conducted site-wide training for IFRS implementation, wherein the audience included partners as well as associates.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | M.L. Airan & Co. | Indore

  • Assisted in the statutory audits of 50+ clients in diverse industries such as steel, textiles, transportation, chemicals. 
  • Prepared and filed 200+ income tax returns and 250+ indirect tax returns that were the major source of income for the firm.
  • Assisted in tax assessment proceedings, conducting research based on precedence.
  • Conducted end-to-end quarterly internal audit for leading seeds trading companies in India for 2 years and presented recommendations to the Board and audit committee.

 

Audit Senior, Statutory Audit | EY India (S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP) | Bangalore

  • Single-handedly executed inception-to-completion statutory audit procedures for large scale companies in IT sector and finalized the income tax returns.
  • Conducted the firm's largest inventory audit in 21 warehouses under a tight deadline.
  • Prepared income tax returns of all the audit clients under my remit, finalised based on audit report, and obtained partner approvals.
     
Accomplishments
  • Applause award: Top award amongst team of 150 controllers for leading the company wide IFRS 16 implementation & digital integration in 2019
  • Certificate of excellence: For leading MEA region compliance with highest efficiency in prior 6 years.
  • Silver recognition: Annual 2nd place recognition in finance team for managing the work of another manager in his absence for 1 year.
Education

Chartered Accountant, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Bachelor of Commerce, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore
 

Certificates
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Leading a monthly book review club since 2021 for 100+ like-minded people
  • Wildlife enthusiast - Visited various national tiger reserves in India every year for the last 13 years for tiger sightings and photography
  • Founded the support group - “Heal” for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse at IIMA.