Nagaraja Rao

About Nagaraja Rao

A seasoned finance professional with over two decades of expertise in finance transformation, shared services management, and digital finance innovation. Adept at driving large-scale financial transformation projects, optimizing financial operations, and implementing cost-saving initiatives to enhance profitability. Skilled in strategic financial management, tax optimization, and regulatory compliance, ensuring long-term fiscal stability and risk mitigation. A proven leader in business partnership and value-driven cost optimization, with a track record of aligning finance strategies with corporate objectives to drive growth and efficiency. Strong expertise in establishing and scaling shared service functions, leveraging automation and technology to improve financial governance, streamline operations, and enhance stakeholder experience.

Experience

1. Finance Controller- Finance Controllership & Business Support

   Allstate India

   Aug 2019 — Present · Bengaluru, IN

   Leading financial controllership and strategic financial planning, overseeing risk mitigation, compliance, and overall financial performance. Responsible for shaping enterprise-wide financial strategies, driving budgeting, and ensuring alignment with corporate growth objectives. Spearheading key financial negotiations, optimizing tax structures, and implementing governance frameworks to enhance long-term fiscal stability. Ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements, fostering a compliance-first financial ecosystem, and maintaining a track record of audit readiness. Driving enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives by modernizing financial systems, automating expense management, and streamlining vendor processes to enhance operational efficiency. Leading strategic tax planning initiatives to maximize financial benefits, securing substantial tax credits, and refining cost-saving methodologies. Overseeing large-scale cost transformation initiatives, and implementing financial strategies that drive sustainable savings while improving operational efficiency. Providing strategic financial advisory to senior leadership, influencing cost transformation decisions, and implementing financial models that support business expansion.

Education

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants , Accounting & Finance

  2006 — 2007

• Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India

  CIMA, Finance

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Project Finance
• -Billing & Bidding Operations
• Team Management
• -Financial / Statutory Compliance
• Auditing
• -Revenue & Budgetary Planning
• -Team Management
• -Financial & Business Control
• Mis
• -Strategic Planning
• -Mis
• -Project Finance
• Cash Management
• -Cost & Cash Management
• -Auditing