Country Controller
NOV
Total years of experience :17 years, 4 Months
• As a Country Financial Controller I am responsible for all aspects of day to day financial activities across all operating business units within the Saudi Group of entities, working closely with divisional business units Operation heads and controllers.
• Regulate, implement and ensure the maintenance of a timely, full and accurate set of accounting books
• Leading the process of preparation of month end, Quarter, Annual closings, monthly Withholding returns, balance sheet and P&L in compliance with US GAAP.
• Leading, managing and developing the consolidation of financial statements to meet the current and future needs of the business.
• Lead the SOX compliance and internal control for all supported entities and its business units.
• Oversee treasury activities including, liquidity management and fund raising, etc.
• Develop and manage all banking relationship (for all Saudi entities) in order to proactively manage a positive relationship with banks and financial institutions regarding renewal of facilities, deposits, withdrawals and transfers.
• Train, monitor and manage the finance staff in the Saudi group.
• Liaising with external and internal auditors as well as leading the year-end statutory audits and tax compliance.
• Responsible for setting and monitoring the performance of each business unit.
• Implementing and maintain all financial controls and systems within the business, identifying and recommending potential operational efficiencies and improvements to working practices and procedures.
• Supporting the Business unit managers with respect to compliance on various legal, statutory and tax issues, foreign exchange regulations etc.
• Manage the bookkeeping function for two business units in accordance with and SOCPA and US GAAP..
• Document and maintain complete and accurate supporting information for all financial transactions.
• Developing and maintaining financial accounting systems for general ledger, cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, credit control, payroll and petty cash.
• Prepare all payroll functions to ensure that employees are paid in a timely and accurate manner.
• Reconcile bank and investment accounts; and manage cash flow, and prepare cash flow forecasts in accordance with policy.
• Review monthly results and implement monthly variance reporting as compared to forecast and budget.
• Preparation of Zakat and Tax monthly computation as well as DZIT assessments.
• Preparation of all supporting information for the annual audit with the approved external auditor.
• Directing the implementation of Accounting Policies, control systems and other methods, systems and procedures, accounting and operational to continually improve the timeliness, accuracy and meaningfulness of reported financial information.
• Exercising control over operating costs, capital, expense, and inventory items by enforcing expense authorization guidelines
• Assisting in the development and Implementation of financial forecast, plans and budgets to provide operating direction and coordination and ensure maximum contributions to company goals.
• Assist the SOX compliance and internal control for all supported business units.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures, corporate directives, regulatory guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles and industry practices.
• Provide support as needed to senior management to answer and review questions on operating results, account balance, forecasts and other financial affairs of the region / business units requested.
• Perform Initial review of Contracts and coordinate Corporate /Regional Legal Department review. Assists in the review and completion of tender bid offers and service contract.
(Financial Controller) Carrefour Hypermarket, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia February 2012 - Present
Reporting and Control: • Ensuring the preparation of statutory accounts, bi-annual financial and management reports, annual budget and forecast.
• Ensuring proper books of account are maintained in accordance with GAAP.
• Overseeing of general ledger details, accruals and fixed asset register.
• Performing ad hoc financial analysis & generating associated financial reports.
• Performing control on Central Cash Office (C.C.O), Receiving and Payroll Department.
Management: • Working closely with managers and providing financial analysis and advice. Also helping them in monthly analysis regarding margin, rebates, shrinkage
• In charge of the budgeting process and its finalization in line with the group's standard and timing.
• Preparation of the annual Budgets and Business plan.
• Reviewing Monthly Operating Statements, investigating and explaining actual to budget variances, identifying the cause of variances and evaluating all associated Key Performance Indicators.
• Any additional financial activities as directed by the General Manager or by Divisional Finance Manager.
Treasury and Cash Management: • To manage and forecast the daily cash-flow.
• Recommendation of the supplier's payment terms & control the negotiated terms.
• Organization of monthly cash count at C.C.O. and Pettycash safe.
(Engagement Auditor) Ernst & Young-Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia September 2002 - September 2007
• Handling audit jobs independently and reporting directly to the managers and partners.
• Performed audit analytical procedures and test of controls.
• Planning, execution and completion of various audit assignments, which include: o Responsibilities for conducting preliminary reviews.
o Drafting audit programs.
o Establishing and strengthening cordial relationship with clients.
• Preparing financial statements.
• Participated in sensitive and complex audit assignments.
• Participated in proposal of prospective clients.
• Professional development of staff, on job training and evaluation of their progress and technical performance.
• Some of major clients: Saudi Arabia Foster Wheeler Arabia, Bently Nevada (currently GE Saudi), Ali Zaid Al Quraishi & Brothers Co. Ltd, Saudi Fisheries and Sipco Paints.
• Also participated in the audit for other clients like: Kanoo Group, Saudi Chevron, Petrokemya and The Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Company (ARGAS)
WEATHERHEAD SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, Cleveland, OH Master of Accountancy - concentrations in Finance, 2011
KING SAUD UNIVERSITY, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia BS - Accounting, 2002