Head of Finance Operations

Key Responsibilities

Billing Operations

• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete invoice in line with customer contracts, delivery milestones, and billing schedules 
• Establish strong billing controls to minimize revenue leakage, disputes, and delayed collections
• Partner with Sales, Delivery, and Legal teams to resolve billing issues and contract interpretation matters
• Monitor billing performance metrics and drive continuous improvement in billing cycle times and accuracy

Revenue Recognition

• Ensure revenue recognition is performed in compliance with SLFRS/LKAS (including applicable revenue standards) and Axiata Group policies
• Review and approve revenue recognition assessments for complex contracts, milestones, and multi-element arrangements
• Maintain strong documentation, controls, and audit trails to support revenue recognition judgments
• Partner with Financial Accounting and Audit teams to ensure consistency and compliance

Unbilled Revenue Monitoring

• Establish robust processes to identify, monitor, and report unbilled revenue on a timely basis
• Ensure timely conversion of unbilled revenue to billed revenue, minimizing aged unbilled balances
• Investigate and resolve root causes of delayed billing or revenue recognition
• Provide clear visibility and reporting on unbilled exposure, risks, and trends to senior management

Budget Controlling (Capex & Opex)

• Lead operational budget controlling for Capex and Opex, ensuring spend is within approved budgets and aligned with business priorities
• Monitor actuals against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions
• Establish approval controls, commitment tracking, and budget governance mechanisms
• Partner with Business and Delivery teams optimize cost efficiency and resource utilization

Revenue Forecasting & Performance Monitoring

• Lead revenue forecasting processes in collaboration with Sales, Delivery, and Business teams
• Ensure forecasts are accurate, data-driven, and aligned with pipeline, contract status, and delivery plans
• Monitor revenue performance against forecasts and budgets, identifying risks and opportunities early
• Provide actionable insights and forward-looking analysis to support management decision-making

Secretariat to the Investment Committee

• Act as the secretariat to the Investment Committee, providing end-to-end coordination and governance support
• Coordinate preparation, review, and circulation of investment proposals, business cases, and supporting financial analyses
• Ensure investment submissions comply with approved governance frameworks, financial thresholds, and Axiata Group requirements 
• Organize Investment Committee meetings, agendas, papers, and minutes, ensuring timely follow-up on decisions and action items
• Track approved investments, monitor post-investment performance, and support benefits realization reporting
• Serve as the key point of coordination between business sponsors, Finance, Strategy, and Group stakeholders on investment matters

Operational Finance Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Strengthen operational finance controls, reporting quality, and process discipline across ADL
• Drive standardization, automation, and system improvements across billing, revenue, and budget control processes
• Support internal and external audits related to operational finance areas
• Build a high-performance finance operations function with a strong service and business partnership mindset

Person Specifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field. Professionally qualified accountant (CA Sri Lanka / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
• 10+ years of experience in finance operations, revenue management, or controlling roles
• Experience in IT services, digital, or project-based environments preferred 
• Exposure to group reporting and multinational operations is an advantage 
• Hands-on experience in managing audits and implementing internal controls
• Strong knowledge of financial management principles, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring
• Advanced proficiency in financial systems, accounting software, and MS Excel
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong leadership and team management capability
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and quality
• Proactive, results-driven, and able to work effectively under pressure
• Collaborative team player with a continuous improvement mindset