Nalini Rajendran
Senior Finance Manager
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Finance and Accounting Leader with 10+ years of experience spanning startups, hospitality, and manufacturing. Expert at building and scaling finance operations, optimizing costs, and enabling data-driven decision-making through advanced financial modeling and analysis. Achievements include reducing IT spend by 25% and marketing costs by 15%, accelerating month-end close by 6 days, and improving AR collections by 20%. Skilled at leading cross-functional and offshore teams, implementing automation tools, ensuring GAAP compliance, and partnering with executives to support fundraising, growth, and operational efficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Senior Finance Manager
Car Advise
08.2024 - Current
- Directed financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting with variance accuracy of 3–5%.
- Developed financial models for cash flow, CAC, and runway in partnership with executives.
- Implemented QuickBooks, Ramp, Carta, and Rippling to streamline finance and HR operations.
- Produced GAAP-compliant reporting; managed monthly and annual close processes.
- Created dashboards to track ARR, MRR, churn, and burn rate for leadership.
- Oversaw payroll, onboarding, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
- Designed and implemented internal controls to strengthen compliance and reduce financial risk.
- Collaborated with CEO and founder to develop investor presentations, providing financial insights and analysis to support strategic funding decisions
- Reduced IT spend by 25% and marketing costs by 15% through vendor restructuring, contract negotiations, and budget reallocation.
- Managed vendor negotiations and contracts to optimize company spending and cash flow.
- Trained and mentored offshore and onshore finance staff, improving accuracy and turnaround times.
- Drove cost-reduction initiatives that improved operating margins without impacting growth.
- Collaborated with department heads to align financial strategies with business objectives.
- Established KPIs and reporting frameworks to measure team and company performance.
Accounting Manager
Best American Hospitality
10.2023 - 07.2024
- Directed accounting functions for a multi-entity business (winery plus three restaurants), leading a team of four to manage bookkeeping, financial reporting, and operational budgeting.
- Supervised AP, AR, and payroll operations, establishing weekly priorities and deliverables to ensure timely and accurate financial management.
- Generated monthly P&Ls and balance sheets in Dynamics GP.
- Designed forecasting models and dashboards to support revenue projections.
- Presented financial results to CFO and CEO to inform strategic planning.
- Streamlined month-end close, reducing reporting cycle by 4 days.
- Improved AR collections by 20%, strengthening cash flow and reducing outstanding balances.
- Optimized payroll processing, cutting error rate by 30% and improving employee satisfaction.
Assistant Controller
Mitchell Business Management
04.2015 - 12.2022
- Oversaw daily accounting functions for an organization of 200+ employees.
- Delivered accurate financial statements using Xero and QuickBooks.
- Partnered with CFO and plant manager to resolve complex financial issues.
- Led AP/AR functions, strengthening vendor relationships and improving collections.
- Enhanced compliance processes and increased reporting efficiency.
- Reduced vendor payment delays by 25%, improving supplier relationships.
- Cut AR aging over 60 days through tighter credit controls and follow-up.
- Increased reporting accuracy and reducing audit adjustments.
Foreign Exchange Executive
Intervlon
06.2010 - 05.2012
- Managed client portfolios and advised on foreign exchange strategies.
- Cultivated investor relationships and secured new clients.
- Prepared transparent financial reports and portfolio performance updates.
Education
MBA - Accounting
Keller Graduate School of Management
Atlanta, GA12.2017
BA (Hons) - Accounting
INTI International University
Nilai, Malaysia12.2012
Diploma - Accounting (Accounts & Finance)
SEGi University
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia10.2010
Skills
- - Financial Tools: QuickBooks, Dynamics GP, Xero, Carta, Rippling, Ramp
- - Expertise: GAAP, Budgeting, Forecasting, Payroll, Financial Modeling, KPIs, Cash flow management, Internal Controls
- - Technical: Advanced Excel, Basic SQL, Dashboard Design
Interests
Yoga, Cooking, Financial Technology, Startup Culture
Timeline
Senior Finance Manager
Car Advise
08.2024 - Current
Accounting Manager
Best American Hospitality
10.2023 - 07.2024
Assistant Controller
Mitchell Business Management
04.2015 - 12.2022
Foreign Exchange Executive
Intervlon
06.2010 - 05.2012
MBA - Accounting
Keller Graduate School of Management
BA (Hons) - Accounting
INTI International University
Diploma - Accounting (Accounts & Finance)
SEGi University
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