AI IN FINANCE AND
ACCOUNTING FORUM

Shri S. Krishnan, I.A.S.

State & Cadre : Tamil Nadu

S. Krishnan is posted as Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India since 11th September, 2023.

He has earlier served as Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce Department, Government of Tamilnadu during March, 2020 to August, 2023.

Of the 1989 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, he has also been Additional Chief Secretary in the Finance Department and Principal Secretary in the Housing and Urban Development and in the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Departments. He was the founder CEO of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board. He has also served as the Chairman of the Fifth Tamil Nadu State Finance Commission.

He served as the Senior Advisor in the Office of the Executive Director for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the International Monetary Fund (Washington DC) and represented the Government of India in the G20 Expert Groups on International Financial Architecture and Global Financial Safety Nets.

In the Government of India, he has been Deputy Director in the LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) for 4 years from 2000 to 2004 and Private Secretary to the Union Finance Minister.

He was District Collector of Virudhunagar District where he calmed a volatile situation and ensured implementation of development programmes in a 3 years tenure. He was also Deputy Secretary (Budget) in Finance Department for 4 years.

Shri Kumar Vembu

Kumar Vembu, the CEO and founder of GoFrugal, a leading ERP software company, is a seasoned expert in the retail domain. His career began as a project associate at IIT-Madras, followed by roles as a software engineer at HCL and Qualcomm. In 1995, he founded Vembu Systems, and later served as President and COO at AdventNet, now known as ZOHO Corporation. In 2004, he launched GoFrugal with a mission to offer premium, affordable solutions to both organized and unorganized retail markets. In addition to his professional achievements, Kumar is a coach, angel investor, motivational speaker, and fitness enthusiast.

CA. Vittal Raj R

With over 20 years of experience, this Chartered Accountant specializes in Business Information/Technology Risk Assurance and Advisory, focusing on Cybersecurity, IS Audits, IT/Privacy Compliance, IT Governance, Enterprise Risk Management, Risk-Based Internal Audit, and Digital Forensics.

He has trained board members, senior management, and technology leaders on IT Risk Management, Cybersecurity, and IT Governance. His expertise spans directing and managing projects in Cybersecurity Audits and Advisory, Securing Emerging Technology Solutions, ISMS Framework and Process Reviews, IT Risk Strategy, and IT Governance Studies based on COBIT across various industry verticals.

A Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, he holds multiple certifications including CISA, CISSP, CISM, CGEIT, CIA, CFE, DISA(ICAI), and is an Accredited COBIT Trainer. Since 1997, he has conducted training for CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, and COBIT examinations internationally.

He has served as a strategic advisor to boards and senior management on Cybersecurity, IT strategy, GRC, systems and processes, and risk management. Additionally, he is an Advisory member and Subject Matter Expert with national regulatory bodies and provides independent professional advice on cybersecurity risk management and IT strategy.

He has also contributed significantly to ISACA, serving as International Vice President and Director on the ISACA International Board, as well as being a member of the ISACA International Audit & Finance Committees and advisor for the ISACA India Growth Initiative. He was honored with the President’s Award and Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding contributions during his term as a director.

His involvement extends to the ICAI Technical Group on Internal/Concurrent Audit of Investment Functions of Insurance Companies and leadership roles as President/Vice President for the Chennai Chapters of ISACA, IIA, ACFE, and ISC2. He has also served on research and technical committees of ICAI-India, IIA Florida, ISACA International, ICWAI, and as a GC member of MCCI. He is a regular speaker and has presented research papers at international conferences.

CA. Suresh T G

Passionately committed to providing CFO and CTO (Chief Taxation Officer) services, we address the critical challenge many businesses face: securing top-tier finance and taxation leadership. Our expert team ensures all your accounting, finance, and tax needs are met, allowing business owners to focus on what truly matters – growing their business. Don’t let complex taxation laws and accounting standards distract you from your core business objectives. With our dedicated and experienced professionals managing these vital functions, you can confidently develop and scale your business to new heights.

CA. Srinath Ganesan

I am a Chartered Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner with over 25 years of experience in Accounting, Audit, Assurance, and IT Implementations. I specialize in governance and control, financial management, solution design, P&L management, and project execution. My focus areas include ERP - IT Projects, risk management, finance transformation, and digitization. I am passionate about mentoring finance graduates and competing in chess competitions. With a proven track record of driving financial performance and enhancing operational efficiency, I bring a strategic and innovative approach to every customer engagement.

CA. Deephika S

Skilled in conducting process audits and re-engineering, proficient in Risk-Based Internal Audit (RBIA), financial risk analysis, and adept at statistical data processing using Power BI, R, and MS Excel.

Ms. Anitha Sivasubramanian

Anitha Siva is a highly accomplished and driven professional with extensive experience in the financial services industry. Currently serving as the Deputy Vice President at Axis Bank, Anitha has demonstrated a strong track record in strategic planning, team leadership, and project management. She holds a B.Com in Commerce and Economics from Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, further bolstered by a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Institute of Financial Management and Research.

Anitha's career is marked by a series of impactful roles where she has consistently delivered exceptional results. At Axis Bank, she is responsible for driving key initiatives, optimizing processes, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Her previous roles at SBI Life Insurance, ICICI Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank have equipped her with deep insights into banking operations, product development, and risk management.

With a keen focus on innovation and digital transformation, Anitha has successfully led multiple projects that have streamlined operations and improved efficiency. Her strong analytical skills, coupled with her ability to build and lead high-performing teams, have earned her recognition and accolades throughout her career.

Anitha is passionate about continuous learning and development, evident from her participation in various training programs and certifications. She is committed to leveraging her expertise to drive growth, foster innovation, and contribute to the financial industry's evolution.

Mr. Sundaram Ramakrishnan

With a distinguished career spanning 36 years, I have provided audit and consulting services across all continents. My extensive experience includes performing M&A due diligence for numerous companies in India and internationally, covering countries such as Sweden, Germany, the USA, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Argentina. I have conducted statutory and internal audits for major corporations and banks, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.

I played a pivotal role in designing a productivity-linked wage structure for the Tamil Nadu tea industry under the UPASI. My expertise has been showcased through presentations at various seminars and workshops, contributing valuable insights to the professional community.

As the Overall In-charge of Quality at my firm, I have been an integral part of the European Professional Standards Committee (EPSC) of PKFI. My commitment to maintaining high standards has led me to conduct quality inspections in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Muscat, Nigeria, Ghana, and Bangladesh for PKFI.

I have authored accounting manuals for prominent companies like Tata Tea (now Tata Global Beverages) and Chemplast Sanmar. Additionally, I have developed numerous checklists and programs to enhance audit processes. My leadership in data analysis using ACL has been instrumental in driving efficiency and accuracy in audits.

I oversee most Knowledge Management (KM) initiatives at the firm, including newsletters, daily email updates, audit stories, and value-added services. My dedication to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing has significantly contributed to the firm's success and reputation.

Mr. Kaarthik Ramachandran

As an experienced professional specializing in compliance, security, and risk management, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the leading names in Information Technology and FinTech. My expertise spans a comprehensive array of regulatory and security standards, including SSAE 16/18/19, SOC 2, ISAE3402/ISAE3000, and AUP Reporting.

Advanced Compliance Solutions: My capabilities extend beyond standard compliance, with a deep proficiency in SOC 2 Plus, encompassing HITRUST, HIPAA, GDPR, and NIST. I help organizations not only meet essential requirements but excel in navigating complex, highly regulated environments.

Global Framework Readiness: Throughout my career, I've been dedicated to ensuring organizations are fully prepared for key global frameworks such as COBIT V5, ISO, HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST, and GDPR. I have guided companies through readiness reviews and helped them achieve significant certifications like HITRUST, particularly within the healthcare and financial sectors.

Information Technology Security Expertise: I have conducted comprehensive IT security reviews across various industries, aiding clients in developing baseline hardening documents, performing risk assessments, and conducting in-depth application reviews. My work includes crafting policies and procedures in alignment with ISO frameworks and other global standards, as well as conducting multiple reviews for frameworks issued by Indian regulatory bodies such as RBI and IRDAI, covering areas like Digital Lending, Outsourcing, and NBFC IT Master Direction.

Emerging Technologies: My commitment to staying at the cutting edge of technology is reflected in my involvement with blockchain and RPA, where I have led numerous training sessions for Deloitte. I have also conducted extensive IT SOX testing for major banking and manufacturing clients, and IT audits in line with the COBIT framework for prominent manufacturing and IT companies.

Data Management: I have a strong background in master data management, including extensive testing on data migration and assisting clients in developing frameworks to address gaps in master data maintenance, particularly for Vendor and Customer Master data.

I am passionate about guiding organizations through the complexities of compliance, security, and risk management. If you're in need of expertise in these areas, I would be delighted to connect.

Sinduja Santosh

Sinduja Santhosh heads the customer success team at Zoho Books and has 15 years of expertise in the finance domain.

She leads dynamic teams focused on enhancing customer experiences, driving retention, and fostering strong partner enablement.

Sinduja works closely with chartered accountants, cost accountants, and Zoho Partners to help them implement Zoho Finance products.

Before joining Zoho, she worked as a financial analyst at Hewlett Packard and later at Standard Chartered Bank, where she primarily handled risk management and Basel reporting for the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Sinduja was born and raised in a remote village in southern Tamil Nadu, in a family of farmers.

She completed her Master's in Business Administration in Finance with a gold medal. Sinduja is happily married and a loving mother to a 10-year-old boy.