Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Trainings & Participation
Professional Qualifications
Trainings & Participation
Generic

Ajay Kumar Jha

Zonal Finance Lead
Ranchi

Summary

Experienced finance professional with 24 years of experience, including 14 years in leadership roles at Plan International (India Chapter). Proven expertise in financial management across multiple states, NGO due diligence, partnership management, budgeting, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Strong track record in optimizing resource utilization, driving strategic financial initiatives, and leading high-performing teams.

Skilled in financial analysis, strategic planning, audit coordination, and capacity building, with a focus on improving processes and ensuring financial accuracy. Proficient in SAP, Rekochain, and Tally, enabling efficient and compliant financial operations across organizations.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Zonal Finance Lead

Plan International (India Chapter)
07.2022 - Current
  • Managed financial operations across multiple state offices, ensuring effective fund utilization, budget adherence, and compliance with regulatory and organizational policies.
  • Coordinated accounting and finance functions, including financial reporting, procurement, budgeting, financial analysis, and donor reporting to support strategic decision-making.
  • Conducted financial reviews, monitoring, and due diligence assessments for partner organizations while liaising with donors, auditors, and statutory authorities on project finance matters.
  • Provided technical assistance and capacity-building support on FCRA, income tax regulations, statutory compliance, SAP, and finance processes to strengthen partner organizations and field finance teams.
  • Developed and implemented financial risk management policies, internal controls, and regular risk assessments to minimize financial risks and safeguard organizational assets.
  • Strengthened team performance through conflict resolution, performance appraisals, and targeted training initiatives.

Key Achievements:

  • Achieved 100% compliance with regulatory norms across multiple state offices while optimizing fund utilization.
  • Established multiple new partnerships through comprehensive due diligence and enhanced partner readiness on FCRA, income tax, and statutory compliance.
  • Streamlined accounting and finance functions post-FCRA amendment, improving operational efficiency and compliance adherence.
  • Implemented robust financial risk management practices that strengthened internal controls and reduced organizational risk exposure.

Finance Coordinator

Plan International (India Chapter)
11.2010 - 06.2022
  • Coordinated financial operations, budgeting, and reporting for multiple projects, ensuring effective management of grants, donor funds, and organizational budgets.
  • Supported financial reviews, audits, and compliance activities in collaboration with program teams, donors, and stakeholders.
  • Conducted technical training and capacity-building sessions for internal teams to strengthen adherence to financial policies and procedures.

Key Achievements:

  • Led initiatives that improved financial compliance, operational efficiency, and internal financial processes across the organization.
  • Delivered accurate and timely financial reports that supported informed decision-making by senior management.

Programme Office – Finance

Centre for World Solidarity
03.2005 - 10.2010
  • Ensuring compliance with all financial and administrative operations of the state-based Resource Centre in Jharkhand.
  • Consistently met project deadlines by effectively managing priorities and maintaining a strong work ethic.
  • Providing capacity building for the program team on financial issues, supporting them in the planning and implementation of projects.
  • Ensuring timely reporting to various donors according to specified timelines.
  • Facilitating audits as required by projects, ensuring that any issues were addressed and recommendations were implemented by partners.

Key Achievements

  • Ensured Compliance: Achieved 100% compliance in financial and administrative operations for the state-based Resource Centre in Jharkhand.
  • Successful Audit Facilitation: Led audit facilitation, resulting in a flawless audit success rate.
  • Capacity Building: Enhanced financial management skills of the program team and partner organizations through targeted capacity-building initiatives.
  • Improved Project Planning: Supported better project planning and implementation, leading to more effective use of resources.

Accounts & HR Executive

Fortune Hotel Centre Point (A subsidiary of ITC)
05.2002 - 02.2005
  • Ensure all the accounting and financial operations are performing as per the standard guideline of fortune hotels.
  • Ensure all taxes are collected, deposited in time and all the statuary returns are filed in given time.
  • Managing all the administration record such as individual files, leave records, PF and ESI deduction and filling returns.

Accounts Trainee

Agrawal Gupta & Associates (Chartered Accountants)
01.1999 - 04.2002
  • Statutory Audit of the clients.
  • Filling of Income Tax returns, Sales tax return and other client-based requirements.
  • Internal Audits of the clients.
  • Preparation of final accounts of the clients.

Education

M.Com - Financial Management

Ranchi University
Ranchi, Jharkhand
01-1997

B.Com - Accounts Hons

Ranchi University
Ranchi, Jharkhand
01-1995

Skills

Knowledge of GAAP principles

Experienced with ERP software

Cash flow analysis and management

Tax law compliance

Development of internal controls

Skilled in using financial software applications

Conducting financial audits

Budget management

Effective verbal communication

Budget analysis

Mentoring others

Timeline

Zonal Finance Lead

Plan International (India Chapter)
07.2022 - Current

Finance Coordinator

Plan International (India Chapter)
11.2010 - 06.2022

Programme Office – Finance

Centre for World Solidarity
03.2005 - 10.2010

Accounts & HR Executive

Fortune Hotel Centre Point (A subsidiary of ITC)
05.2002 - 02.2005

Accounts Trainee

Agrawal Gupta & Associates (Chartered Accountants)
01.1999 - 04.2002

B.Com - Accounts Hons

Ranchi University

M.Com - Financial Management

Ranchi University

Trainings & Participation

  • Training on budgeting, budget monitoring & Reporting by Financial Management & Service Foundation (FMSF), New Delhi.
  • Participated in FCRA training organized by Account Aid and Oak Foundation.
  • Participated in the webinar “Decoding impact of Budget, 2022 on NGOs” organized by FMSF.
  • Participated in the webinar “Webinar on FCRA and Recent Amendments on 31st July 2021” organized by FMSF & BCAS.
  • Participated in advance Excel Workshop by Ira Edu Tech

Professional Qualifications

· Diploma in Computer Information system from IICT, Jamshedpur.

· Management development Course in Financial Inclusion, Social Banking & Microfinance by XLRI, Jamshedpur.

Trainings & Participation

  • Training on budgeting, budget monitoring & Reporting by Financial Management & Service Foundation (FMSF), New Delhi.
  • Participated in FCRA training organized by Account Aid and Oak Foundation.
  • Participated in the webinar “Decoding impact of Budget, 2022 on NGOs” organized by FMSF.
  • Participated in the webinar “Webinar on FCRA and Recent Amendments on 31st July 2021” organized by FMSF & BCAS.
  • Participated in advance Excel Workshop by Ira Edu Tech
Ajay Kumar JhaZonal Finance Lead