Accounts Manager

Accounts Manager – Distillery Industry (Job Description)

Role Overview

The Accounts Manager oversees financial operations for a distillery, ensuring accurate accounting, compliance with excise and taxation laws, cost control, and financial reporting. This role is especially critical due to strict regulatory frameworks governing alcohol production and sales.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Maintain books of accounts (GL, AP, AR, fixed assets)
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Handle bank reconciliations and cash flow management
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition (including distributor sales)

2. Excise & Regulatory Compliance

• Manage compliance with state excise laws (very important in distilleries)
• Maintain records for production, storage, and dispatch of спирits
• Coordinate with excise officials for audits and inspections
• Handle excise duty calculations and filings

3. Taxation (India-specific)

• Oversee GST compliance (where applicable—note alcohol for human consumption is outside GST, but inputs/services are not)
• Manage TDS, income tax, and other statutory filings
• Liaise with tax consultants and auditors

4. Costing & Inventory Control

• Monitor raw material costs (molasses, grains, packaging)
• Track production costs per batch
• Manage inventory accounting for:
  • Raw materials
  • Work-in-progress (fermentation/distillation stages)
  • Finished goods (aged spirits, bottled products)
• Handle wastage and evaporation loss (angel’s share)

5. Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Prepare annual budgets and forecasts
• Analyze variances (budget vs actual)
• Support management with profitability analysis by product line

6. Audit & Internal Controls

• Coordinate internal and statutory audits
• Ensure proper documentation and internal control systems
• Prevent leakages, pilferage, or financial discrepancies

7. Vendor & Distributor Management

• Manage payments to suppliers and service providers
• Reconcile distributor accounts and incentives
• Monitor credit limits and outstanding receivables

8. Team Management

• Supervise accounting staff
• Ensure timely completion of tasks and compliance deadlines

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of excise laws and alcohol industry regulations
• Expertise in Indian accounting standards & taxation
• Experience with ERP/accounting software (e.g., Tally, SAP)
• Analytical and cost-control mindset
• High attention to detail and compliance

Qualifications

• B.Com / M.Com / MBA (Finance)
• CA / CMA (preferred but not always mandatory)
• 5–10 years of accounting experience (distillery, brewery, or FMCG preferred)