April 10, 2025
Case Study 1: From Budget Constraints to Boardroom Success – Hiringa Finance Head for a Singapore Company Expanding into India
Setting the Scene
A Singapore-based company was ready to expand into India and needed a strong Finance Head to anchor its India operations. The role was pivotal—this person would be responsible for setting up financial systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and serving as a strategic bridge between Indian operations and global leadership.
But there was one major hurdle: budget constraints.
The Challenge
The client’s initial budget didn’t align with Indian market expectations for a leadership finance role.
Key issues included:
● Limited compensation: The budget was nearly 30% below market benchmarks for senior finance roles in Tier-1 Indian cities.
● Cross-border experience required: Candidates needed exposure to both Indian regulations and global financial frameworks.
● Speed vs. quality: The company wanted to move fast but wasn’t compromising on leadership quality.
How We Tackled It
1. Initial Advisory
We advised the client on the talent landscape and recommended either:
- Increasing the budget
- Or redefining the job scope
2. They opted to proceed without changing the budget.
3. Targeted Search with Constraints
Despite the limitations, we launched a curated search:
- Pre-screened ~100 profiles
- Conducted preliminary interviews
- Shared video recordings of top 10 candidates with detailed evaluations
4. Reassessment & Strategy Shift
After a month of limited traction (and parallel efforts by the client that yielded no success), they chose to revise the budget to meet market standards.
Re-Engagement with Precision
With an updated budget and clarity, we went back to market:
● Mapped over 250+ mid-to-senior finance leaders
● Prioritized candidates with experience in cross-border reporting and India operations
setup
● Delivered 5 top-tier profiles with interview recordings and insight reports
Client introduced an accounting simulation assignment to test real-world capabilities before final onboarding.
The Result
- Successfully closed the position within 3 weeks after the revised brief.
- The selected candidate had worked in an Outsourcing company (it was a must have requirement for client) and had Big 4 experience.
- The client praised our structured process and has since hired 2 more leaders through us.
✅Outcome: Finance leader onboarded. Market entry stabilized. Retained client relationship
for long-term hiring.
