International Consultant
AL IRAQIA LLC / BHC LLC
Total years of experience :25 years, 10 Months
Serve as head of the technical, commercial, financial, and taxation practice, performing a number of services for companies (defense; oil & gas; energy) operating in Iraq:
• Lead a project with the IFC (the World Bank Group) on Investment Promotion in Iraq.
• Participate in the annual update to the Doing Business in Iraq, a World Bank Group publication, providing information on taxation, license permits, and entity registration.
• Participated in the Legal Guide to Investment in Iraq, a CLDP (U.S. Department of Commerce) publication.
• Oversee licensing and registration of international entities in Iraq, as well as liquidation of such entities.
• Prepare and finalize the annual financial statements and corporate taxation for international entities and international-owned local entities in Iraq.
• Ensure complex tax structures comply with Iraqi laws;
• Develop and implement client financial processes with respect to financial data, corporate tax, personal income taxes, payroll, and social security;
• Oversee book-keeping, internal audits, payroll compliance, and financial investigations;
• Resolve tax disputes and other financial issues; and
• Ensure company compliance with governing licensing, labor and tax regulations.
• Provide memorandums and reports on issues involving relevant local laws, such as the Iraqi Labor Law, Income Tax Law, Pension and Social Security Law, and related regulations.
• Managed all regional financial activities in Central Iraq and served as key advisor to management. Supervised all accounting and financial-management functions, including payroll, and income and corporate taxes.
• Established financial support needed for regional manager to produce accurate and timely proposals and pricing models including producing cost proposals.
• Performed complete audits of payroll, purchase requisitions, cash and checkbooks in multiple currencies.
• Assisted in the introduction of new processes and systems, including Microsoft Dynamics, HRIS, and a customized SQL-based payroll system.
• Managed expatriate and local staff salary and payment systems.
• Managed cash and bank accounts and processed payroll, timesheets, and expenses.
• Advised commercial financial managers on income taxes, social security, and corresponding Iraqi regulations.
• Prepared monthly calculations and reports on Iraqi staff income tax, expatriate staff income tax, social security, and required payments to government agencies. Recognized key differences between Northern Iraq (Kurdistan), Southern Iraq, and Central Iraq operations related to payroll and tax management.
• Led implementation of improved human resources and payroll systems.
• Managed the administrative, financial management and human resources teams for South Iraq operations responsible for more than 1400 employees. Recruited expatriate and Iraqi national staff; oversaw hiring and onboarding processes.
• Created employee handbook in addition to a range of human-resources policies.
• Assisted in developing procedures for more efficient tax and payroll calculations in Northern Iraq by identifying and adjusting for key differences in taxation regulations between Northern Iraq and Federal Iraq.
Achievements included:
• Decreasing discrepancies and delayed payroll transactions by more than 90% through identifying and addressing weaknesses in the payroll system.
• Decreasing time spent on processing payroll by 50% through improved timesheet and expense procedures.
• Contributing to decreasing taxes owed to Iraqi government by improving the payroll system for Iraqi nationals, correcting discrepancies in calculations, and integrating of Arabic as mandated by Iraqi law.
• Served as engagement coordinator for several major United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs, performing the following:
o Secured and recorded USAID approvals and managed all data and recordkeeping for program.
o Managed finances, oversaw personnel and resource allocation, and coordinated logistics and operations for international projects while working from the home office.
o Reviewed project invoices and documented costs; generated additional budget allocations as needed.
o Hired and onboarded new staff members.
o Facilitated successful assignments of expatriate staff to field, including relocation, requests/approvals for USAID rates, and contract preparation for independent contractors.
o Prepared detailed analysis and evaluation of expatriate staff allowances system.
• As a Business Development Specialist performed the following:
o Contributed to business efforts in Emerging Markets Division under Infrastructure, Privatization, and Utilities (IPU) practice through effective management of cost proposals and budget calculations, thorough staff screenings, and overall proposal coordination.
o Performed detailed market research for multiple major projects.
o Prepared and submitted cost proposals and BAFO responses for a number of winning projects, including the USAID Georgia Hydropower Investment Promotion Project (HIPP), USAID Georgia Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) Project, USAID Europe and Eurasia Low Emission Strategy and Clean Energy Project, USAID Kosovo Advisory Services to Assist in Privatization of KEK Network and Supply Project, MCC Architect and Engineering Indefinite Delivery IQC, and MCC Impact Evaluation Services Indefinite Delivery IQC.
o Directed finance and administration for USAID-funded Jordan Fiscal Reform Project concurrently with the office manager position. Managed over $400, 000 in monthly project accounts, including preparation and submission of budget and cash flow projections. Supervised accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, invoicing, transfers, payroll, and subcontractor payments. Rendered financial support to multiple key projects. Served as main point of contact for expatriate staff, local employees, vendors, clients, managers, colleagues, and security staff on all financial and administrative matters. Prepared monthly and quarterly reports, correspondences, talking points, briefing materials, and executive summaries.
o Conceptualized and developed a work plan to support project management.
o Created and enforced project policies and procedures, including employee manuals and guidebooks.
o Developed and implemented multiple audit and management tools, including training and security databases.
• As the Office Manager of a local Jordanian entity owned by the company:
o Drafted all legal agreements and managed all records for, files, and financial statements. Trained administrative assistant on all job functions. Expanded network of government contacts.
o Helped resolve all disputes between the company and Jordanian Income and Sales Tax Department, which led to the release of millions of dollars owed to the company by various departments and ministries.
• Managed the administration and finance department of a $180-million USAID-funded Iraq Economic Governance II Project as its Office Manager in Baghdad, Iraq and Amman, Jordan. Handled all accounting functions for over $800, 000 in monthly office finances. Directed procurement and allocation of resources. Coordinated training sessions and conferences in cooperation with Iraqi government officials. Arranged all international travel, including accommodations and per diem allowances. Previously, performed accounting and financial functions, including management of over $400, 000 in monthly accounts for the USAID-funded Iraq Economic Reform Project as its Project Accountant.
• Prepared payroll, overtime, bonus, and hazard allowance disbursements.
• Managed journal and ledger, performed end-of-cycle account balance and close, handled bank vouchers and reconciliation, and held responsibility for petty cash. Trained new Accounting Assistant on all job functions.
• Recommended improvements to hazardous and overtime pay distribution process.
• Provided a range of accounting support, including preparing journal and ledger entries, calculating monthly trial balances, managing petty cash, and assisting with closing entries, balance sheets, and annual reports. Provided training to two accountants.
• Gained excellent hands-on experience in accounting and financial reporting, as well as deadline management and team collaboration.