Fouad Babar

Publicis Groupe, the 3rd largest communications company in the world. With over 60, 000 employees spanning 108 countries on 5 continents, Publicis Groupe is comprised of some of the most recognized brands in the advertising and communications industry, include Publicis, Vivaki, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Starcom Mediavest Group, Zenith just to name a few.

UTC Building & Industrial Systems division is the world’s largest provider of building technologies. Its elevator, escalator, fire-safety, security, building automation, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and services promote integrated, high-performance buildings that are safer, smarter and sustainable.

DuluxGroup is an Australian-owned, publicly-listed company with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. DuluxGroup is a marketer and manufacturer of premium branded products for residential homes, commercial and industrial markets. Employing over 5000 people & revenues approximately $1.5b DuluxGroup has comprehensive supply chain network across Australia, New Zealand, PNG, South-East Asia, Hong Kong and China.

Senior executive in global headquarters corporate finance team, I am responsible for financial accounting, group reporting, post acquisition finance integration, treasury accounting and system function, with 6 direct reports.

• Aligned accounting & reporting functions to be positioned as strategic business partner. This involved accounting department restructuring, rationalizing activities and upskilling

• Developed business charter for the shared services team to manage performance and reliability of service delivery

• Harmonized and standardized processes to ensure consistency, integrity and quality of financial figures in line with DuluxGroup accounting policies

• Developed complex accounting models complaint with IFRS including foreign exchange contract accounting (IFRS 39 Financial Instruments), purchase price allocation (IFRS 3 Business Combination & IFRS 10 Consolidation) and goodwill impairment (IAS 36 Impairment of Assets), Straight-lining of leases (IAS 17 Leases), Make good provision (IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities & Contingent Assets)

• Monitored and assessed the adequacy of the financial and operating controls systems, risk management and legal compliance

• Increased efficiency, visibility and control over financial close process through implementation of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that replaced manual, labor-intensive processes in finance and accounting. Obtained final buy in through presentations at Senior Exec Finance Forum

• Facilitated M&A integration process through building collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams composed of heritage and acquired businesses

• Post acquisition corporate cost synergies were delivered ahead of schedule due to efficient integration of newly acquired finance functions

• Department management, including coordination of external & internal audit activities

IntraPOS is a leading supplier & service provider of computerised retail Point of Sales (POS) solutions in Australia, with total portfolio annual revenue of $70 million.

Responsible for finance function activities, ensuring integrity of financial information, recruit and develop, while overseeing accounting, treasury, compliance, payroll, budgeting and financial resource allocations, and team management.

• Developed financial reporting metrics to facilitate better business monitoring & investment decisions

• Reduced month end reporting time from 15 days to 7 days by growing capacity through standardization of close processes and ensure financial reporting compliance with IFRS.

• Significantly reduced reliance on external accountants resulting in 50% cost saving compared to previous years through analyzing root causes of poor data quality, resolving issues and data cleansing

• Increased number of clients in financial services through referrals from existing clients, doubling number in two years

• Improved process of paying employer guarantee superannuation through a clearing house, delivering significant cost savings in payroll processing

• Led development of robust business forecasting and review framework together with new methodologies for enhanced forecast predictability

• Effectively managed working capital needs through line of credit negotiation with the bank

• Developed financial strategic plan for the firm, establishing and documenting policies and procedures

En Pointe is a US publicly-listed firm with more than 2000 employees and a leading provider of information technology products, e-business solutions, and services to various government and fortune 500 companies.

Responsible for accounting & finance back office with FTE of 60, general ledger, record to report, invoice to payment, Order to cash and treasury.

• Managed finance function with 8 departments and total strength of 60 people, across US & Pakistan

• Achieved reporting DIFOT of 95% for monthly / quarterly / yearly consolidated financial statements as per US GAAP

• Supervision of back office functions to ensure effective functioning, which included; General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Collections, Billing, Rebates, Cost Audit, and Commissions teams

• Assisted in re-engineering of back office business processes for ISO certification and Sarbanes Oxley’s compliance

• Conducted strategic assessment, standardization and transition of processes from front office to back office ensuring talent development to support quality. Reduced front end headcount by 15% year on year, delivering significant cost savings at corporate office

• Drove significant improvement in P&L performance and metrics through a finance-led push to both refocus sales from revenue towards margin and reduce expense base

• Assisted Company Secretary in drafting quarterly (10Q) and annual (10K) reports, and worked on various sections like MDA, Lease Obligation Schedule, Sales Concentration, segment reporting etc for SEC reporting

• Ensured compliance of US GAAP, and other pronouncements by Federal Accounting Standards Board at the back office, with special focus on issues relating to revenue recognition

• Coordinate external (BDO - US), Internal (KPMG) and lender audits

Conducted and led external and internal audits, due diligence engagements, operational and financial reviews and other related assurance and advisory business services for clients predominantly within manufacturing sector.

• Involved in development of financial & operating manual which included system study, development of procurement, operations and budgetary controls

• Identified and reported on management control weaknesses in procedures

• Conducted special investigative audits in case of embezzlement and fraud

• Participated in special audits on behalf of Central Board of Revenue for detection of concealed income tax and sales tax by their assesses

• Serviced multinational clients included Saba Power Company (subsidiary of El Paso Corporation), Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Bestway Cement Limited and Asia Foundation