Role: Manager – Payroll, Accounting & Compliance

Location: IBC, Bangalore

Reporting to: Head - Talent Ops

Team Name: POPS

About the Team and the Role:

The POPS (People Operations & Strategy) team at Ather is responsible for building a long-term affiliation of talent using a mix of the best work content, cash, benefits, and long-term incentives. We focus on delivering an incredible experience for every team member by driving process excellence, culture building, and high-impact people initiatives.

This role is for a highly experienced and detail-oriented finance leader to manage end-to-end payroll operations, payroll accounting, ESOP administration and accounting, and corporate compliance/audit management. With 10 to 12 years of hands-on and managerial experience, the ideal candidate will ensure immaculate financial accuracy, rigorous statutory compliance, robust internal controls, and seamless collaboration across HR, Finance, and external auditors.

Responsibilities

- End-to-End Payroll Management & Accounting: Oversee full-lifecycle monthly payroll processing for full-time employees, contractors, and international entities; record and verify monthly payroll journal entries, accruals, bonus distributions, leave encashments, and payroll tax liabilities in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite); perform month-end account reconciliations for GL accounts, clearings, and tax withholdings; and deliver variance analysis comparing actual costs to budgets/forecasts to executive management.

- ESOP Management & Accounting: Administer the company's Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) lifecycle (option grants, vesting, exercises, lapses, and cancellations) on platforms like Qapita; execute ESOP accounting in compliance with Ind AS 102 / IFRS 2 (fair value, stock compensation expenses, and deferred tax impacts); and handle tax implications, perquisite calculations, and statutory withholding for stock-based compensation

- Statutory Compliance & Tax Management: Ensure 100% adherence to all regional and national payroll compliance requirements (including PF, ESI, Qualified Tax, LWF, TDS on Salaries, Form 16,



or local remittances); prepare and file periodic payroll tax returns and statutory filings; and monitor changes in employment laws, labor codes, and tax regulations to update internal systems proactively.

- Audit, Controls & Governance: Lead internal, external, statutory, and regulatory payroll audits, serving as the primary point of contact; ensure robust internal financial controls (SOX / IFC compliance) across all payroll and equity-based accounting processes; and perform regular internal checks to eliminate errors, overpayments, or compliance vulnerabilities.

- System Optimization & Process Improvement: Drive automation initiatives and continuous improvement across HRMS, payroll engines, and ERP accounting systems; establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), service-level agreements (SLAs), and clear workflows between HR, Finance, and external vendors.

Experience and Qualifications

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Commerce. A Master’s degree (MBA Finance), Chartered Accountant (CA), CPA, or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is strongly preferred.

- Experience: 10 to 12 years of core experience in payroll processing, payroll accounting, equity/ESOP accounting, and statutory compliance within medium to large enterprises.

Must have Competencies

- End-to-End Payroll & Statutory Compliance: Deep expertise in running full-lifecycle payroll operations, combined with advanced knowledge of labor laws, taxation rules, and regulatory audit standards (PF, ESI, PT, LWF, TDS, Form 16).

- ESOP Accounting & Financial Standards: Expert application of accounting standards governing stock compensation (Ind AS 102 / ASC 718 / IFRS 2), including fair value valuations, stock compensation expense calculations, and deferred tax impacts.

- Enterprise ERP & HRMS Proficiency: Hands-on proficiency in major ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite) and HRMS platforms (Workday,



Darwinbox, or SuccessFactors) for seamless payroll and accounting integration.

- Audit Governance & Internal Financial Controls: Advanced understanding of internal financial controls (SOX / IFC compliance) with a proven track record of leading and defending statutory, regulatory, and internal audits.

Good to have Competencies

- Advanced Data Analytics & Excel Modeling: Expert-level MS Excel capabilities (financial modeling, complex data reconciliation, macros/VBA is a plus) to run variance analysis and deliver cost insights.

- Equity Platform Administration: Familiarity with managing specialized equity platforms (such as Carta, Eqvista, or proprietary systems) and maintaining cap tables in partnership with legal and HR.

- Vendor & SLA Management: Strong leadership and vendor management abilities to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and service-level agreements (SLAs) with external providers.

- Cross-Functional Communication & Leadership: Exceptional oral and written communication skills to drive alignment and build consensus across HR, Legal, and Business Finance teams.

Want to know more?

At Ather, we’ve built India’s first intelligent scooter, from scratch. Based on the philosophy of clean design and smart technology, we are transforming the urban commute experience. We are expanding in India, and in the coming years, we look forward to scaling up and launching more products globally.

Today, our product offerings include the Ather 450X, 450S, 450 Apex, and Rizta. Beyond the product, we are also setting up an extensive charging network and re-imagining end-to-end ownership experience. To know more, check out our Careers site and Substack.

Be You, With Us The Ather story doesn't write itself - our people do. We believe everyone is equal, but not the same. Diversity is our strength, and building an inclusive and equitable workplace begins with acknowledging and embracing our differences. We are an equal opportunity employer, and our team reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives - all united by a shared passion to shape the Ather journey.

📌 Lead, Payroll & Compliance (Bengaluru)
🏢 the Team and the Role
📍 Bengaluru