Finance Associate - Client Accounting

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you'll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.
Finance Associate - Client Accounting (Sales Operations)
We seek a financial professional for a Finance Associate - Client Accounting role in our Pune, India office. As an Associate in Sales Operations / Order Management, within Client Accounting, you will support the contract-to-project setup process for professional services engagements helping ensure signed client documents (e.g., MSA/SOW/PO) are translated into accurate SAP customer project/WBS and billing setup so delivery teams can execute and Finance can invoice and apply revenue policies. Your work is execution-focused and completed within defined SOPs, templates, and checklists, with routine review by senior team members and clear escalation paths for exceptions.
What y ou'll d o:

• Contract intake, completeness checks, and operational validation (under supervision)
• Perform initial review for completeness and readiness of incoming client documents (e.g., fully executed agreement, required fields/data present), and organize the contract record so it is accessible to internal stakeholders.
• Validate that key operational terms are clear enough to enable project setup and billing setup, and flag gaps/ambiguities for senior/Finance/Legal review rather than interpreting them independently.
• SAP services project setup support (functional end-user scope)
• You will support foundational setup activities that enable billing, using guided processes rather than configuration work.
• Support creation/maintenance of billing items for customer projects, in collaboration or overlap with billing team (including selecting contract type such as Fixed Price or Time & Expenses; assigning work packages; entering amounts/caps; maintaining billing due dates/billing plan items; and capturing customer references such as PO)
• Cross-functional coordination (primarily internal-facing)
• Coordinate with Sales, Delivery/Project teams, and finance to collect missing inputs, clarify basic items (e.g., dates, PO references, billing schedule), and keep the setup moving through the standard workflow.
• Provide routine status updates and document actions/decisions taken, maintaining an audit-ready trail of changes and approvals as required by the workflow.
• Documentation hygiene and operational reporting support
• Maintain organized records and trackers (e.g., contract intake status, setup progress, exception logs) to support day-to-day visibility and handoffs.
• Support basic operational reporting aligned to the process (e.g., volumes processed, cycle time, rework themes) as defined by the team's governance model.
• Contract elements you will typically review and validate within Associate scope of experience & expertise
• You will focus on operationally actionable contract elements that drive project setup and billing structure-not legal interpretation.
• Common validation checklist items include:
• Scope/deliverables and timelines: ensuring deliverables, milestones, and timelines are stated clearly enough to align to project structure and billing phases.
• Payment structure and triggers: confirming whether billing is milestone-based, periodic, or time & expenses-and ensuring the setup can reflect those triggers.
• Basic contract data required for setup: parties/contact information, effective/expiration dates, and required customer references (e.g., PO) for linkage to sales/billing documents.
• Billing plan and method alignment: verifying that the invoice method and revenue method classification selected/entered aligns to the contracted payment structure (and escalating mismatches).
• Revenue recognition awareness (coordination-only; no accounting ownership)
• You are expected to have awareness of ASC 606/IFRS 15 concepts and recognize when contract terms may impact Finance's revenue decisions; however, you do not determine accounting treatment, standalone selling price allocation, or final revenue recognition conclusions.
• Practical awareness expected: Familiarity with the five-step model structure (identify contract; identify performance obligations; determine transaction price; allocate price; recognize revenue) at a high level, so you can spot terms that could affect setup and downstream treatment.
• Accuracy and attention to detail: when translating contract terms into SAP billing/project setup fields.
• Process discipline: ability to follow SOPs, maintain documentation, and preserve required audit trails.
• Clear written communication: for internal coordination and structured escalation.
• Comfort working with global stakeholders: through defined handoffs, including support for contracts across regions via documented workflows.

What you'll bring:

• Master's degree in finance, economics, or business required, with a strong record of academic achievement.
• 0-3 years of Sales and Order Management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PPT, Outlook), SAP experience desirable;
• Strong analytic and critical thinking abilities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills that enable strong relationship-building and stakeholder management.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Motivated and proactive.
• Professional objectivity and judgment to know when to challenge activities.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, rapidly-changing environment.
• Fluency in English
• Client-first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

How you'll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Hybrid working model:
ZS is committed to a Flexible and Connected way of working. ZSers are onsite at clients or ZS offices three days a week. Combined flexibility to work remotely two days a week is also available. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.
Perks & Benefits:
ZS offers a comprehensive total rewards package including health and well-being, financial planning, annual leave, personal growth and professional development. Our robust skills development programs, multiple career progression options and internal mobility paths and collaborative culture empowers you to thrive as an individual and global team member.
We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.
Travel:
Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.
Considering applying?
At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.
If you're eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
To complete your application:
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment.An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com