Shubhashissh Chatterji

About Shubhashissh Chatterji

I am a finance leader with 25+ years of experience driving performance, governance, and transformation in the liquor industry. Currently, I oversee financial operations for Bacardi across the Middle East and Africa, ensuring strong compliance, balance sheet integrity, and operational excellence across diverse markets.What I DoI lead regional financial closings, internal controls, and compliance frameworks while continuously improving processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. My focus is simple: build robust financial structures that support business growth and protect long-term value.Beyond core finance operations, I manage high-impact initiatives including:Regional rebate governance and optimizationComplex accounting issue resolutionAlignment of financial reporting with global and local KPIsStrengthening control environments across multinational marketsCareer HighlightsOver the years at Bacardi, I’ve had the opportunity to lead FP & A, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable across India and the North-Central regions. Some of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of include:Implementing depletion accounting to improve transparency and reporting accuracyDriving inventory management improvements that enhanced control and visibilityStrengthening governance frameworks to elevate financial disciplineLeading cross-functional projects that delivered measurable operational efficienciesWhat Drives MeI’m passionate about building finance functions that go beyond reporting numbers. I enjoy solving complex accounting challenges, improving systems, mentoring teams, and enabling smarter decision-making in fast-moving, multinational environments.At my core, I believe strong financial stewardship is the backbone of sustainable growth.

Experience

1. Finance Lead - Middle East & Africa - Transactions, Reporting & Compliance

   Bacardi

   Dec 2024 — Present

   Lead end-to-end finance operations across the MEA region, ensuring timely financial closings, accurate reporting, and full compliance with global and local KPIs.Oversee balance sheet integrity and financial health for all MEA legal entities; resolve complex accounting and compliance issues.Manage regional rebates process, including accrual creation, monitoring, and payment reconciliation for various entities and distributor markets.Drive a robust internal control environment, strengthening governance and minimizing risk exposure.Lead process improvement initiatives to increase operational efficiency, reduce end-to-end costs, and elevate performance standards across the finance function.Play a key role in global and regional transformation projects, including the expansion of Business Enablement Services (BES) in the MEA region.Manage statutory year-end audits in coordination with Big Four firms (PwC, EY, Deloitte, RSM), ensuring clean closures for all legal entities.Collaborate with Legal and Corporate Secretary teams on compliance and regulatory matters across regional offices.Mentor and manage a team of finance managers, fostering professional growth and embedding Bacardi’s High-Performance Culture across the function.Act as a core member of the MEA Finance leadership team, contributing to cross-geography initiatives, internal audits, and strategic development of the AMEA finance vision.

Education

• Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth

  Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Accounting and Finance

  2002 — 2005

• Pondicherry University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Finance

  2016 — 2018