Pawan is available for hire
Hire PawanPawan Kesarwani
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Toptal Member Since
November 28, 2016
Pawan is an experienced finance professional with expertise in financial modeling, scenario building, fund raising, and financial management. He has helped multiple startups to raise $100M+ in the form of equity/debt capital, built and managed their finance function from scratch, and has strategized and executed 6 M&A deals. Pawan likes to freelance for Toptal as it allows him to work on challenging projects with incredible global clients.
Career Highlights
Head of Finance
Craftsvilla.com
Consultant
Strategy and Finance Consultant
Co-founder | Senior Financial Executive
Paras Paper Mills
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Oxford
Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Bachelor of Commerce
University of Allahabad
Certification Highlights
Industry Expertise
Software Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
CFO
2017 - PRESENT
Mystifly.com
- Led the entire gamut of finance such as accounts, taxation, audit, funding, strategic planning, reporting, revenue management, forecasting, legal, deal analysis, and compliance for all seven entities spread across the world.
- Implemented a new ERP, for multi-geography and currency support, with proper checks and balances around the accounting process which ensured unqualified opinion from statutory auditors.
- Spearheaded the implementation of internal control and risk mitigation frameworks to plug long standing loopholes to bring savings of more than INR 1 Crore per annum and got the favorable opinion for the company in statutory audit.
- Set up revenue management function based on dynamic reporting platform linked with Business intelligence to lead operational profitability on daily basis translating quick decision making.
- Turned around the negative (-44%) EBITDA to a positive one (12%) by spearheading the revenue management team and setting up dynamic rules, based on regression models and market intelligence, in the pricing engine which optimize revenue while scaling up business.
- Implemented the cost cutting plan by plugging in operational leakages and optimizing indirect costs resulting in saving of INR 3 Crore per annum.
- Drove cost reduction plans in key business areas, including client and partner contracts, negotiations, pricing, business planning & analysis, and the operating model. The biggest win was the implementation of CDN and Cache management platform which brought huge operational efficiency and reduction of IT infrastructure cost by INR 1.5 Crore per annum (~20% of the annual bill).
- Introduced financial discipline in the payables and receivables management to enhance Customer experience and ensure zero disruption even on negative working capital.
Focus areas: Internal Control, Debt Raises, Turnaround, Budgeting, Strategic Planning & Execution
Head of Finance
2015 - 2017
Craftsvilla.com
- Built the finance function from scratch.
- Raised Series C funding from VC investors for US$34 million.
- Built a financial model for optimal working capital and investing surplus funds for maximizing returns by 2X.
- Led the M&A activities for the acquisition of five targets. The synergy has helped the organization to reduce operating costs by 35% and increase revenue by 1.5X.
- Strategized and formulated a cost-reduction plan to enable the organization reach its contribution goal of 80%.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Reporting, Venture Funding, Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Consultant
2014 - 2015
Strategy and Finance Consultant
- Strategized and planned the business strategy for an environment-friendly FMCG product for UK market.
- Advised on the financial viability of a USD 5 million bio-mass power plant.
- Formulated the investment strategy to invest in the real estate sector.
- Worked on an eCommerce solution to reduce cost of logistics and cut wastages resulting in saving of ~ 25% YOY.
- Prepare a business case for expansion of a MNC in the business of stores which was duly adopted by the board.
Focus areas: Venture Funding, Business Planning, Budgeting, Financial Modeling
Co-founder | Senior Financial Executive
2004 - 2013
Paras Paper Mills
- Introduced and enhanced financial reporting and statistical analysis tools to make plans.
- Performed financial reporting and analysis for multiple business units.
- Made a strategic selection and implemented a new ERP which improved the overall financial reporting functions and cost control processes.
- Prepared and reviewed MIS reports like profitability reports, monthly rolling forecasts, and more to identify the issues, risks, and saving potentials.
- Supervised the overall financial performance by providing timely financial analysis—oversaw the finalization of the books as per statutory requirements.
- Led the preparation of the operating and capital/project budget and monitoring thereof with actuals and reporting of variances. Identified the areas where costs can be reduced or efficiency can be increased.
- Monitored the inflow and outflow of funds and ensured the optimum utilization of available funds to accomplish organizational goals.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Growth Capital Raising, Working Capital Management, Financial Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Education
2013 - 2014
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance, Business Administration
University of Oxford - Oxford, United Kingdom
1999 - 2004
Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) in Finance, Accounts, & Taxation
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India - New Delhi, India
1998 - 2001
Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, Commerce
University of Allahabad - Allahabad, India
Certifications
JANUARY 2004 - PRESENT
Chartered Accountant
ICAI
Collaboration That Works
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