Shankar Gautam
KATHMANDU,BAGMATI
Summary
Highly accomplished Chartered Accountant with over 14 years of experience in financial planning, internal controls, and strategic decision-making. Expertise in delivering insightful financial analysis, optimizing business performance, and driving organizational growth through innovative solutions. Adept at partnering with senior stakeholders and leading high-performing teams in cross-functional environment settings.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Board Member
Prabhu Life Insurance Ltd
Kathmandu
03.2022 - Current
- Led transformation of financial reporting framework to comply with IFRS standards.
- Successfully transitioned the business operation to core insurance business software, Isolution, and integrated it with the revamped website and mobile application.
- Managed investment portfolio valued at $140 million, achieving annual returns exceeding 10% through the formulation of an investment policy providing authority to the CEO for investment in the secondary market, and diversifying investments in pre-IPO shares of hydropower, hospitality, and tourism.
- Integrated portfolio tracking software with core insurance system to enhance operational efficiency.
- Worked with the actuary relentlessly for the introduction of two new term life policies.
- Chaired Audit Committee, promoting corporate governance best practices for improved board performance.
- Spearheaded merger between Prabhu Life Insurance and Mahalaxmi Life Insurance, generating post-merger capital of $40.29 million.
- Organized quarterly meet-ups to foster innovation and engagement among executives and board members.
- Developed and approved annual budgets, allocating resources effectively to support mission objectives.
Co-Founder
Sewa 360 Private Limited
Kathmandu
01.2021 - Current
- Key person for building a practice management software similar to Karbon and Xero by bringing together experts, including software developers, investors, and colleagues working in Big 4 firms.
- Designed wireframes for each module in Pidoco and forwarded them to the software developer for coding.
- Led sales pitches and responded to sales inquiries, successfully implementing the software in 14 firms.
- Developed partnerships with the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal and the Institute if Chartered Accountants of Nepal through an MOU, creating significant sales opportunities and enabling the addition of new features or modules to the software.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to the board of directors. Convened regular stakeholder meetings to discuss ongoing activities and make decisions on pricing, discounts, sales and marketing channels, and integration with other software.
Partner
G.S.N. Associates, Chartered Accountants
Kathmandu
04.2012 - Current
- Built the team from zero to 40 employees and managed a startup independent firm specializing in auditing, business consulting, and risk advisory services for more than 200 corporate clients across sectors, including banking, insurance, capital markets, hydropower development, logistics, hospitality, tourism, health, information technology, and manufacturing.
- Held frequent communication, meetings, and training sessions with the team to keep them informed of the firm's vision, policies, and current events, ensuring high morale and motivation.
- Transitioned the firm from a brick-and-mortar structure to a cloud environment with remote management by adapting software and revising the existing SOP during COVID.
- Developed value-added services within the advisory unit to solve complex business problems, such as product costing, product pricing, inventory management, interest verification on loans, VAT refunds, duty drawbacks, and cash incentive refunds on exports, helping clients make informed business decisions.
- Represented clients before tax authorities, successfully settled tax disputes, advocated before banking and financial institutions to help clients secure loans, and negotiated business deals with vendors that best suited clients' needs. Successfully merged two hotels with a combined net worth of $50 million.
- Managed grievances and arbitration among partners, co-workers, co-owners, and shareholders by gathering relevant facts and figures surrounding the dispute.
Offshore Team Manager
Trident Financial Group
Melbourne
07.2023 - 10.2024
- Managed a team that grew from zero to 12 members through effective communication, regular team meetings, training, and development.
- Measured and monitored quarterly targets for employees to improve productivity and profitability, achieving 145% of the targeted yearly revenue. Contributed to the firm's achievement of 95% tax filing, as compared to 74% in the previous year.
- I participated in the partners' meeting and contributed to strategic discussions on Project Everest, which is specifically built for the growth and sustainability of the Nepal offshore vehicle.
- Worked with all entity types, including sole traders, companies, trusts, and partnerships. Gained skills in tax planning and prepared work papers on year-end adjustments, Div 7A interest, personal service income, fringe benefit tax, GST reconciliation, franking credits, capital gains tax, taxation of ESOP, rental income schedule, etc. for high net worth clients.
- Created 'how-to' videos and playbooks with the team for training employees and standardizing processes for each job across the team.
- I reviewed the jobs performed by offshore employees, and served as the only person entrusted with direct communication with clients from the request-for-information stage to the invoicing stage.
Assistant Faculty
Westcliff University (USA)
Kathmandu
03.2018 - 02.2019
- Prepared and delivered four weekly lectures on Financial Reporting, Managerial Accounting and Financial Management for MBA students.
- Introduced students to entrepreneurship and encouraged use of financial data in modeling ideas and making informed decisions.
- Assisted over 200 students with classroom assignments and business ventures they were pursuing.
Article Trainee
Oswal Sunil & Company
New Delhi
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Assisted the team in executing and completing internal, statutory and stock audit engagements, including planning, review, and documentation for clients in various industries, such as manufacturing, telecommunication, trading, stock broking, NPOs.
- Identified key financial risk areas and proposed mitigation strategies to client management.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve clients' accounting processes and controls in ERP and accounting software.
- Developed professional relationships with clients and exhibited professional skepticism, which enhanced performance and capacity.
- Prepared detailed audit reports presenting findings and recommendations to management, leading to improved internal controls.
Education
Diploma in IFRS -
ACCA
UK01.2017
Chartered Accountant -
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
New Delhi, India01.2011
Bachelors in Business Studies -
Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal01.2008
Skills
- Innovation mindset
- Leadership experience
- Team collaboration
- Client relationship management
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Financial controllership and reporting
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Decision making
- Financial reporting
- IFRS knowledge
- Internal controls
- Risk management
- Tax strategy
- Business planning
- Workflow design, business process automation, and optimization
- Conflict resolution
- Data analysis
- ERP and SaaS proficiency
Languages
Nepali
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Relevant Experience in the Energy Sector
- Financial consultant for cost verification under a tripartite agreement with the bank and the developer, IDS Energy Pvt. Ltd. (5.5 M.W.), Reliable Hydropower Co. Pvt. Ltd. (4.8 M.W.), Gorakshya Hydropower Pvt Ltd. (22.5 M.W.) and hydro-mechanical, electro-mechanical, and Attariya works related to the Chameliya Hydroelectric Project by Nepal Hydro and Electric Limited (NHE), a subcontractor of the KHNP Consortium.
- Analyzed and successfully played a key role in investment decisions in Moonlight Hydropower Pvt. (22.14 M.W.), Himshila Power Company Pvt. Ltd. (4.5 M.W.),Vision Lumbini Urja Co. Ltd. (25 M.W.), Thulo Khola Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. (22 M.W.), Taksar Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. 8 M.W.,Super Madi Hydropower Ltd (44 M.W.), Tamor Energy Pvt Ltd. (285 M.W.), Maya Khola Hydropower Project (14.9 MW)
- Statutory auditor - Shibani Hydropower Co., Pvt. Ltd. (5 M.W.), Tamor Energy Pvt. Ltd. (285 M.W.), Siddhi Hydropower Company Limited (10 M.W.)
- NFRS/IFRIC 12 implementation - Gorakshya Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. (22.5 M.W.), Tamor Energy, Pvt. Ltd. (285 M.W.), Riverside Hydro Energy Ltd. (37.5 M.W.)
- Assistance in financial closure - Tamor Energy, Pvt. Ltd. (285 M.W.), Loan swap - IDS Energy, Pvt. Ltd. (5.5 M.W.), Reliable Hydropower Co. Pvt. Ltd. (4.8 M.W.)
- Solar farm and wind power enthusiast with basic knowledge of the system and business learned through research, videos available over the internet, and interaction with developers and stakeholders
Timeline
Offshore Team Manager
Trident Financial Group
07.2023 - 10.2024
Board Member
Prabhu Life Insurance Ltd
03.2022 - Current
Co-Founder
Sewa 360 Private Limited
01.2021 - Current
Assistant Faculty
Westcliff University (USA)
03.2018 - 02.2019
Partner
G.S.N. Associates, Chartered Accountants
04.2012 - Current
Article Trainee
Oswal Sunil & Company
01.2007 - 01.2011
Diploma in IFRS -
ACCA
Chartered Accountant -
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Bachelors in Business Studies -
Tribhuvan University
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