Samira Desai

Results-driven Financial Operations professional with 10+ years of experience across Clearing & Settlement, Mutual Fund Operations, Registrar & Transfer Agency (RTA) processes, Capital Markets Operations, Client Servicing, Reconciliation, and Branch Operations. Proven expertise in managing high-volume transaction processing, stakeholder coordination, operational controls, exception management, and regulatory compliance. Strong analytical and process-oriented mindset with extensive experience in reconciliations, reporting, account management, operational risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Well-positioned to contribute to Finance & Accounting functions through expertise in transaction lifecycle management, controls, reconciliations, MIS reporting, and process governance.

Assistant Manager – Clearing and Settlement RTA, MF Operations - KFin Technologies Limited (KFINTECH) - Mumbai

(2023-09 - 2026-09)

• Liaison with recognized stock exchanges & ICCL: Interfaced with NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) for operational activities that included trade confirmations, reconciliation, handling settlement, shortages and failures.
• Stakeholder Management: Coordinated with AMC, RTA, brokers, custodians, banks and internal teams for resolution of operational issues.
• Clearing and Settlement: Manage the clearing and settlement process for mutual fund transactions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of trades. Monitored pending transactions and followed up with relevant teams to ensure timely closure.
• RTA Operations: Manage day-to-day operations related to Registrar and Transfer Agent functions, including investor servicing, transaction processing, and reconciliation. Coordinated with internal teams, banks, brokers, custodians, RTAs and other stakeholders for transaction-related issues.
• Transaction Processing: Process various types of transactions on behalf of investors, such as purchases, redemptions, switches, and systematic investment plans (SIPs) or systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs). Ensure accurate and timely processing of transactions in accordance with regulatory guidelines and fund policies.
• Team Management: Supervise a team of operations staff responsible for carrying out clearing, settlement, and reconciliation tasks. Provide guidance, training, and support to ensure team effectiveness.
• Training and Development: Provide training and support to junior staff members to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively. Foster a culture of learning and development within the team.
• Technology: Proficient in using applications such as K-BOLT, TaskMF, etc.
• Reporting: Generate daily & periodic reports on clearing and settlement activities, transaction volumes, reconciliation status, and other relevant metrics. Prepared daily/weekly/monthly MIS and operational reports using MS Excel.

Assistant Manager - FinTech Operations - EduFund (Helena Edutech) - Mumbai

(2023-01 - 2023-09)

• Managing Mutual Fund operations for the entire Organization
• UCC creation at BSE STAR MF
• Create Bank mandate NACH form
• Creating process mandates
• Executing Trades at BSE Star
• Releasing of new physical Accounts in CCM
• Giving MF rights in CCM
• Co-ordinate with various entities like RTA, BSE STAR, AMC and Operations teams on regular basis
• Handling Client accounts in US ETFs, servicing client accounts, resolving queries and interacting with relevant teams for account servicing
• Handle all Account activation processes related to NSE – IIN
• Solve all queries regarding mandate rejections, FATCA rejections, audit queries etc.
• Manage KYC Issues & complete FATCA
• Driving MIS for entire organization, ensuring preparation of all concerned MIS reports on fortnightly & monthly basis
• Prepare & optimize various MIS reports as per Organization requirements
• Reconciliation of Mutual Fund Assets & SIPs
• Working on Commission structure & Reconciliation of AUM and commission
• Ensure daily mapping of clients to sub-broker, RM, SM is done accurately
• Responsible to maintain, manage & operate all Software, Tools & Applications essential to run the Operations efficiently viz. Investwell, BSE STAR, FP Dashboard, CRM, etc.
• Support Sales team for Onboarding and client servicing
• Managing Branch Operations in absence of Operations Manager

Branch Operations Manager - Kotak Securities - Mumbai

(2016-10 - 2022-12)

• Maintain deep understanding on various Financial Products & Services offered by Kotak and ensure staff have knowledge needed to guide customers.
• Prepare & maintain all Operations MIS as per branch requirements.
• Knowledge of Capital Markets and Investment products like Mutual Funds, Equities & Insurance.
• Resolve Customer queries related to their investment portfolio around Mutual Funds, Insurance, Equities, etc.
• Monitor Portfolio performance & client needs, assessing their risk appetite and providing them with suitable investment options.
• Manage End to End KYC process completion for new as well as existing clients.
• Provide Advisory and Dealing support to assigned HNI clients in Equity & Derivatives segment.
• To achieve healthy revenues without compromising on the client's profitability.
• Provide regular updates to the assigned clients regarding the market changes and subsequent changes to the portfolio.
• Hands on experience to trade on KS Dealer/ODIN.
• Activating dormant accounts and helping them with trades on Intraday & Delivery.
• Ensure exceptional service experience for clients and resolve escalations if any.
• Responsible for recruitment, onboarding & training of team members.

Equity Advisor - India Infoline Ltd - Mumbai

(2010-03 - 2010-09)

• Managing Client Portfolio's.
• Maintaining good rapport with all clients and providing all support to motivate them to trade on regular basis.
• Solving all queries related to Client Demat Accounts.
• Preparing all MIS reports such as trade sheets, etc.
• Keeping track of all Client trades on regular basis and providing necessary assistance when needed.
• Promotion of IPO's, Mutual Funds, etc. to clients.

Dealer – Equities, Derivatives & Commodities Market - Vinit Enterprises - Pune

(2008-03 - 2009-06)

• Handling client calls for transaction orders.
• Trained on ODIN System Operations.
• Putting day to day orders accurately.
• Making client follow ups; if required.

Masters in Psychology (M.A.) - Psychology - S.N.D.T University, Pune, Pune (2006-04 - 2008-03)

Bachelors in Home Science - Home Science - S.N.D.T University, Pune, Pune (2003-04 - 2006-03)

Higher Secondary Certificate - S.N.D.T University, Pune, Pune (2001-04 - 2003-03)

Secondary School Certificate - Pune Board, Pune (2000-04 - 2001-03)