Senior Director, Finance
Technology Innovation Institute
Total years of experience :24 years, 8 months
• Strategic leadership role heading the Finance function of four entities - Advanced Technology Research Council, Technology Innovation Institute, ASPIRE, and VentureOne.
• Responsible for development of the finance function in a start-up environment in the technology and innovation industry that operates in the areas of Cryptography, Quantum Computing, Autonomous Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Secure Systems, Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Directed Energy.
• Transitioned the finance function from the traditional roles of “Steward & Operator” to newer roles of “Catalyst & Strategist”. Results led to shaping of overall strategy and direction whilst instilling a financial approach and mindset throughout the organization to help other parts of the business perform better.
• Laid foundations for valuation of Intellectual Property in the context of licensing and joint venture transactions, corporate restructuring, transfer pricing and a variety of tax-related transactions.
• Led all financial functions of Zayed University, a fully accredited higher educational institution with a $200 million operating budget and $20 million endowment fund.
• Managed a team of 17 employees in a fast-paced environment, spread across two locations, and responsible for providing the organization with strategic input on its future direction.
• Part of leadership team involved in forward planning, prioritization of university key objectives, including business planning, policy setting, financial forecasting and strategic decision making.
• Provided leadership to management’s finance strategies, with the aim to optimize BU financial performance (cash flow, growth, profitability). Results were development of business model to generate 25% increase in Revenue from ancillary income streams.
• Led Commercial and Financial Due diligence on all Infrastructure projects of the university including $10m Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre spanning 2, 800 m2.
• Created robust financial processes and directed team supporting business operations for 8 colleges.
• Led an exercise to convert accounting records from cash basis to accrual basis based on International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) along with delivery of year end audit closure. Results were Zayed University became the first federally funded university in United Arab Emirates to be able to provide financial results in both “cash” and “accrual” basis.
• Led the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) ensuring compliance with Federal Tax Authority.
• Implemented Third Generation e-Dirham cards embodying the best international practices in Fintech and digital payments.
• Provided expertise and guidance on enhancing the travel and expense management process by procurement and implementation of SAP Concur aimed towards automation and digitization of the expense management process, providing university leadership with more control over compliance and costs.
• Key strategist in Financial Reporting, and P&L analysis. Introduced new reporting tools such as Dashboard Reporting, Monthly Flash, Quarterly Operating Reviews, and Quarterly Rolling Forecasts. These tools enabled setting up and monitoring of financial targets for SBU and LOB that drove key decisions across units.
• Demonstrated operational efficiency through process improvement and standardization of all financial processes. Results led to reduction in time needed for closing procedures by 50% and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) by 10 Days thereby improving cash flow and enhancements in working capital management.
• Developed delegated fiscal authority matrix resulting in effective governance and compliance within the business.
• Participated as an Executive member in the Budget, Purchasing, Rewards and Incentive Committee.
• Led the Corporate Finance and Planning function at Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort - a mixed use real estate development and infrastructure project covering Wildlife Theme Park, hotel, and residential development worth equity investments in excess of $1 billion.
• Led all aspects of construction and infrastructure project accounting team including, but not limited to, Percentage of Completion (PoC) accounting calculation, project margin risk identification, management of project expenses, reporting of project forecasts / cost to complete.
• Created comprehensive financial models with optimum financing solution for projects to deliver cash flow forecast, scenario analysis, risk assessment and return analysis. Results led to securing additional funding for Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre a Five Pearl Estidama Rated building costing $75 million spanning 14, 000 m2.
• Provided expertise and guidance to project team set up by Abu Dhabi Department of Finance on implementation of Hyperion business intelligence system.
• As a member of Tender Committee strived to bring efficiency, economy, and transparency in matters relating to procurement.
•Appointed to work in the CFO’s office to oversee the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions of DP World, P&O Ferries, Istithmar, & City Center worth equity investments in excess of $10 billion.
•Provided financial information, valuations, covenant analysis, and guidance to the advisory team on the $26 billion Dubai World Debt Restructuring Project. Results were development of 13 week cash flow model and realistic business plans with fallback strategies, recommendations to restructure viable entities and liquidate nonviable ones.
•Assigned Controllership to set up and monitor finance and accounting processes of City Center - JV with MGM Resorts International. Results were establishment and maintenance of accounting controls and compliance with International Accounting and Financial Reporting standards.
•Prepared semiannual valuations for group companies using public company comparables, & DCF. Results enabled Board to monitor portfolio value trajectory against the restructuring agreement.
•Developed and deployed financial management "dashboard" for Dubai World Board. Results were delivery of real-time business insights which enabled the board to monitor results and key performance metrics.
•Developed financial feasibility analysis for an employee housing development project worth $71 million.
•Designed a CEO remuneration model. Results were implementation of a compensation model based on incremental economic value added rather than profitability.
•Developed and implemented enterprise wide Budgeting and Monthly Financial reporting policy. Results led to more time being spent on value-added analysis.
•Led the selection exercise to implement Business Performance Management (BPM) solution at the corporate level. Results were selection of Hyperion® System™ 9 Financial Management™ as it would allow Dubai World to comply with multiple regulating authorities and enable improvements in the financial close and reporting process
·Provided primary detailed analysis of $16 million in annual program budgetary concerns and financial performance for the Forest Service, United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA).
·Reviewed audits by USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG), and numerous studies performed by the General Accounting Office (GAO). Diagnosed and summarized key risks based on these audits.
·Formulated, and implemented a standardized and upgraded reporting and analysis system in response to the audits by OIG and GAO. The new reporting and analysis system consolidated data across the agency in a consistent manner.
·Interviewed and interacted with Regional Director’s to help design a streamlined process flow for various reporting and analysis needs. Improved efficiency by 55%.
·Benefits of reporting and analysis restructuring were increased field level decision making, better allowing local managers to set priorities, linking forest plans and budgets, and improving accountability.
·Assisted the IT Applications Development and Support track in the documentation of business processes for Adelphia Communications Corporation for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 compliance. Responsibilities included working with business and technical teams to determine inputs and outputs from various process flows and identify gaps in Internal Control Matrices.
·Assisted in compiling Control Objectives for Information and related technology (COBIT) to identify Remediation, Risk, Opportunities, and Challenges (RROC).
.Provided analytical support to group fund, including calculations of SEC standardized thirty-day yields, and preparation of per share tables.
·Provided knowledge and guidance for policies and procedures pertaining to all funds in group. ·Verified accuracy of trade tickets relating to portfolio transactions and ensure such trades meet the compliance restrictions of the prospectus of assigned funds.
·Created journal entries for fund share activity, expense accruals and expense/dividend payments.
·Assisted outside CPA firms during their audit engagements and developed preliminary financial data necessary for inclusion in the fund's filing with regulatory authority.
·Trained new accountants and cross-trained existing staff members.
·Developed monthly rolling forecasts, mid year forecasts, and annual budgets of $63 million for 15 lines of business. Areas of emphasis include headcount and compensation, direct expenses, capital expenditures and initiative spending.
·Evaluated financial data based on principles of "cost drivers" and "benchmarking".
·Key member of a Global Infrastructure Solutions Management team that worked with lines of service management to ensure a reduction in direct expenses. Implemented cost reductions of $1.5 million.
·Analyzed monthly budget variances. Performed monthly revenue and expense analysis to monitor and ensure accurate forecasting and proper expense allocation for business unit reporting.
·Generated financial reports through converting large volumes of raw data from SAP and various other systems thereby summarizing key financial/operational information into concise statistical summaries of monthly performance.
·Automated the monthly Revenue and Expense variance analysis for line of service management. Results were a 50% shortening of the monthly reporting cycle.
·Provided business summary and Operating Income commentary for 2 clients and their lines of business. Ensured consistency between general ledger and business unit reporting.
·Performed various investment accounting functions as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, e.g. preparing daily, weekly, and monthly trial balance; calculate interest income and dividend distributions.
·Presented the portfolio manager with daily commentary on available cash for investing and opportunity cost commentary using Bloomberg.
·Prepared monthly financial statements for client’s funds.
·Maintained audit analysis and reconciling schedules during the year.
Passed all four exams in first attempt
Master of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance, Investment & Banking, International Business Specialization
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