Hagop Chahinian

Ensured resolution of long outstanding internal audit issues and revised, developed and implemented Group’s finance policies and procedures that resulted in a stronger and efficient control environment to meet evolving business needs.
Supervised accounting (AR, AP, FA, inventories, payroll, GL, etc.) and reporting (consolidation, monthly operating reports) activities of local and international operations in compliance with IFRSs’ and local regulatory framework.
Managed Group working capital through effective control over accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash expenses and inventories and implementation of cash flow forecasting, which resulted in reduction of the cost of capital by 2%.
Established and maintained strategic relationships with external stakeholders’ i.e. financial institutions, regulatory bodies, etc. and successfully obtained world-class services at competitive prices.
Appraised and approved Group yearly budget and periodically reviewed major deviations from budget (department, location, facility wise), identified recurring unnecessary expenses resulted in cost saving.
Prepared finance department yearly business and operational plan (i.e. manpower plan, KPIs’, training & development needs, etc) which reduced the department turnover rate by 8% and increased efficiency.
Set up Group’s financial strategy, cascaded the strategy to team members through individual KPIs’, and periodically monitored the same (finance is made up of 50+ individual within the organisation).
Participated in the selection, interviews, coaching, evaluation of performance, development of staff, and created an environment where staff are encouraged to pursuit their professional qualifications.
Implemented investment appraisal studies (NPV, IRR, payback period and ARR) prior to undertaking any new project.
Initiated VAT impact assessment as well as championed the implementation of ERP system in coordination with external consultants.
Prepared and reviewed ad-hoc financial and non-financial reports as needed.

Managed a portfolio of listed, large groups with multi-locations, family businesses and office highest profile clients operating across multiple industries; portfolio size by revenue approximated USD 825k and total audit hours of 14.5k.
Project managed my portfolio of clients and monitored the financials starting from the initial budgeting, WIPs’, billing, collection, variances recognition and suggested areas for improvements to increase jobs recoveries and ultimately the
profitability by restructuring the team members and the audit approach whilst maintaining focus on quality.
Identified opportunities for fee increase or special billing.
Counselled junior and senior team members throughout the assignments and on yearly and half-yearly basis and participated in their promotions discussions.
Coached audit teams and assisted in challenging the audit approach from an efficiency perspective.
Supported a leader of a group (the audit practice in Kuwait is split into five groups) in managing the group consisting of over 30 professionals.
From a non-client facing perspective:
Conducted trainings in different offices from MENA and EMEIA regions.
Awarded and recognized as the “Best Facilitator for Core Assurance Trainings” across MENA offices from EY MENA Assurance Leader.
Member of Data Analytics implementation champions, EY Growth Navigator Champion and EY Canvas implementation champions.

Actively involved in the establishment of the new member firm in Kuwait.
Played an important role in setting up and alignment of PricewaterhouseCoopers global methodology and resources.
Key contributor to the growth of significant revenues in audit and non-audits services through involvement in compilation of potential target clients into priority and non-priority lists for initial introductory seminars, drafting of initial client proposals and set up of target meetings.
Involved in competitive tenders for prospective audit clients.
Participated in managing of the audits of the office largest priority accounts, which exposed me to various external audit engagements including a wide variety of industries such as real estate, telecommunications, energy and natural
resources, investment, trading and other industries.
Managed my portfolio of clients from planning to finalisation and reporting; portfolio consisted of high profile clients subject to Annual Quality Reviews (“AQR”) selection.
Coordinated and managed the firm’s independent AQR team who graded my selected audit file the highest possible rating.
Dealt with external regulators when an audit of my clients were selected for review, dealt with and drafted written responses and handled all attended meetings alone where audit findings were discussed.
Considered as a strong people manager, and rated as one of the best counselors in office.
Managed Internal Control Reviews for various commercial banks including: IT division, Financial division, Risk management, and Internal Audit division.
Identified, created and participated in Agreed Upon Procedures (“AUP”s’) for midstream oil & gas companies.
Conducted internal and external seminars relating to the International Financial Reporting Standards,
International Standards of Auditing and International Accounting Standards.
Conducted internal training in Kuwait office and other offices on “Risk and Quality” subjects (including
acceptance and continuance of audit clients, audit client risk assessments, independence of engagement team members and other subjects) and best practice and usage of internal software (Aura, MyClient and Central Entity
Services).
Member of PwC Experience Champions and Aura Steering Committee (Out of six senior members in the MENA region).

Acted as team member on large assignments and supervisor on small assignments.
Performed review of junior staff work, reviewed financial statements, communicated with the clients, and coordinated with other team members and junior staff in the planning and execution of the audits.
Gained exposure to various external audit engagements for various types of companies and industries, such as information and communication, retail & trading, real estate, logistics and education.
One of the highest rated individuals in my team.

Gained a good understating of SAP and participated in closing the books, cash management, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Gained an understanding of AS 400, and participated in warehouse and purchasing management.