Group Finance Manager
Select Group
مجموع سنوات الخبرة :17 years, 8 أشهر
I am currently working as a Group Finance Manager at Select Group since Jan 2017 after being promoted from Assistant Manager - accounts payable position at which I joined in Oct 2014. I am currently responsible for the effective management of all financial tasks, including corporate accounting, treasury, compliance, financial reporting, tax and development of internal control policies and procedures. Some of my current responsibilities include:
Managing daily accounting operations including the review and monitoring of collections, customer accounts receivable ageing reports:
Ensuring timely closure of books on monthly basis to deliver on time monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts in compliance with group financial policies/ procedures, IFRS, GAAP;
Ensuring all reconciliations, including with JV partners / external parties are prepared on time;
Ensuring timely review and issuance of accurate monthly management accounts and other financial reports;
Controlling entity and group level legal & tax compliance with corporate tax laws, including VAT legislation along with their monthly / quarterly filings across all the entities in the Group (both UAE and UK);
Managing group & entity level cash requirements and placement of excess funds in short term investments as per group investment guidelines;
Preparing financial summaries, reports, analysis, cost-benefit analysis and/or ad-hoc financial reports as required by the Senior Management;
Coordinating with group external auditors for interim / annual audit plans and ensures timely delivery of consolidated and entity level financial reports;
Reviewing and updating, in line with best practices, the Group's internal control environment including accounting policies, systems/ procedures and makes recommendations for continuous improvement;
Developing and maintaining working relationships with banks, escrow accounts and trustee banks and understanding all requirements of escrow account regime to ensure timely settlement of payments;
Reviewing and approving all payments being made from the group;
Participation in annual budgeting process, monthly forecasting estimates and in variance analysis;
Custodian for group-wide user access control matrix in Yardi including routine monitoring and updates. Signing off on all changes to workflows / system procedures;
Reviewing of all the Purchase Orders raised from the group;
Taking care of the complete secretarial compliance function of the Group and all of its subsidiaries;
Giving direction and leadership to the team towards achievement of the Department’s KPIs and annual objectives.
. I was responsible for the overall smooth running of the AP and Treasury function of the Group. Some of my responsibilities include:
Taking care and reviewing the payments being made from different entities of the Group;
Managing cash flows of the group companies in line with the future forecasted contractual payments for ongoing projects;
Reviewing tax working prepared by tax advisors for UK entities and processing tax payments to UK tax authorities;
Co-coordinating with auditors for the annual financial statement audits for all the group companies;
Weekly review of various reports prepared by my team.
I am currently working as a Finance Manager at Salah Interiors LLC. Salah Interiors LLC is an associated company of Transguard Group LLC engaged in joinery, furniture manufacturing and fit out business in Dubai, UAE. I am responsible for the overall smooth running of the finance and accounting function of the Company. Some of my main responsibilities include:
Taking care of day to day finance function of the business;
Managing daily cash flows and prioritizing supplier payments;
Managing suppliers and their payment including discussing and agreeing payment plans with critical suppliers;
Working with project teams in getting the payment certificates on time and chasing up payments from customers when they fall due;
Supervising purchasing department to get the best terms and rates from suppliers;
Preparing and monthly review of budgets;
Preparing and presenting the monthly management accounts to the board of directors;
Implementing and monitoring controls over operation and finance functions;
Regular liaison with estimating team to make sure tenders for projects have suitable profit margins:
Discussing with management potential cost savings and implementing the plan for overall cost reduction for the business.
I worked as a Assistant Manager in Assurance Group where I lead large audit teams through planning, execution and completion stages of statutory audits and other varied special nature engagements. My responsibilities entailed engagement management, client relationship management and decision-making for resolution of critical reportable matters, specifically:
Developing overall engagement plans while identifying key risks, and developing procedures to address them effectively;
Acting as a “Knowledge Provider” to the team for resolution of complex issues requiring technical research/ special consideration;
Ongoing review of work performed to ensure alignment with the overall engagement plan;
Ensuring timely completion and submission of key deliverables to the client within stringent deadlines;
Engagement planning based on the understanding of the client’s business processes and assessment of business and audit risks, supervision of the engagement, review and finalisation, including close liaison with client's management;
Coordinating with various professionals such as lawyers, actuaries, independent valuators and information technology experts and decision-making in respect of critical reportable matters;
Assisting clients in preparation of financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework including compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), local corporate laws and directives of regulatory authorities; and
On-the-job training and professional development of staff.
The most significant corporate clients under my complete responsibility since joining PwC Abu Dhabi office, contributing to my professional growth includes:
Agthia Group PJSC. Agthia group is a subsidiary of General Holding Corporation (GHC) which is wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government. The group includes Grand Mills PJSC, Al Ain Food and Beverages PJSC and Al Ain Food and Beverages (Egypt). I have been responsible for the overall execution of annual audits and quarterly reviews of this group.
Impregilo SpA (Abu Dhabi Branch). Impregilo is the branch office of Impregilo SpA (listed entity in Italy).
Emirates Foundation. Emirates Foundation is a not for profit organization owned by Abu Dhabi Government for youth development of local emirates.
International Capital Trading (ICT). I am the manager incharge of the audit and quarterly reviews of the financial statements of ICT from 2013.
Takyeef Factory LLC. Takyeef Factory LLC is a medium sized entity manufacturing large air conditioning units and is owned by United Technical Services (UTS) group.
Al Ghaith Gold DMCC.
Al Raha Beach Hotel.
Gloria Hotel, Dubai.
Radisson Blu, Media City, Dubai.
Eastern Bechtel and International Bechtel.
Jenaan Investment. This company is the holding company of Jenaan Group.
ADYARD Abu Dhabi. The entity is a subsidiary of Topaz Group specializing in providing various construction and maintenance services to marine and oil and gas industries. I was responsible for the overall audit for the year 2012.
Progress rent a car. It is a medium sized rent a car company in UAE.
Sodamco Emirates. Sodamco Emirates is a group company of Sodamco S.A.L. I have been responsible for the overall audit from 2011.
Chimera Fund. Chimera Fund is a private equity fund under Royal Group which is based in Abu Dhabi. I was responsible for the complete audit of Chimera Fund and its management company for 2010.
British International School's.
Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC). TDIC is a master developer of major tourism destination in Abu Dhabi and is wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government. I was field in-charge for a special nature assignment TDIC for reporting on compliance of Employees Practice Policies by the contractors.
I have completed my mandatory article-ship covering four years where I lead large teams through the planning, execution and completion stages of statutory audits and other varied special nature engagements. My responsibilities entailed engagement management, client relationship management and decision-making for resolution of critical reportable matters. Some of my industry wise major clients I worked on along with the areas under my responsibilities are summarized below:
Banking and Capital Markets
Bank Alfalah Limited. I was involved in annual statutory audit for the year ended December 31, 2009 and responsible for review of corporate / consumer portfolio of advances of the bank and adequacy of provision held against classified portfolio.
Barclays Bank Plc. I was engaged at the half yearly review at June 2009 as a senior team member for preparing summary review memorandum, tax portion and financial statements.
Soneri Bank Limited. I was a team member at the annual audit for 2006. Areas under my responsibility were treasury, fixed assets, advances and determination of impairment provision against them.
PICIC Funds. PICIC Fund is a close-end mutual fund managed by PICIC Asset Management Company. I was engaged as a senior in-charge for half yearly review at June 2009 of PICIC Investment Fund. My responsibilities included auditing area of investment, preparing the financial statement and reviewing the work of my junior team members.
NAFA Funds. I was the senior in-charge for half yearly review of NAFA Cash Fund in December 2009. Areas under my responsibility included reviewing investments, unit holder fund and all other related areas along with reviewing the work of my team members. Furthermore, I was also a team member for year-end audit of June 2007 for NAFA Cash Fund and half yearly review of December 2007 of NAFA Islamic Income Fund respectively. Areas under my responsibilities were audit and review of treasury and investment function, unit holder fund, income and expenses.
Arif Habib Investment Management Limited (AHIML). AHIML is an Asset Management Company for various open-end and close-end schemes where I was engaged for an agreed upon assignment from the period of July 2008 to October 2008, relating to monthly reporting for its various schemes. I was responsible for monthly reporting of Pakistan Stock Market Fund, Pakistan Strategic Allocation Fund and Pakistan Capital Market Fund.
Insurance Sector
Adamjee Life Assurance Company Limited (ALACL). I was involved in annual statutory audit for the period ended December 31, 2009. My responsibilities included the audit of premiums and claims cycle along with the preparation of the financial statements.
ACE Insurance Limited. Ace Insurance Limited is an insurance company under the supervision and control of the Ace Group. I was engaged in two consecutive year end audits for the year ended December 2007 and 2008 respectively. Areas under my responsibility included auditing premiums and claims cycle and taxation.
Consumer and Industrial Products
English Biscuits Manufacturers (Private) Limited. I was engaged in the year end audits for 2007 and 2009 respectively. For audit of 2009, I led the team and was overall responsible for the assignment with direction, supervision and reviewing responsibilities of the team. Clarient Pakistan Limited (CPL). CPL is a part of multi-national group engaged in the production of dyes. I was engaged in the year-end audit of December 2008. Pharmaceutical companies
Outsuka Pakistan Limited (OPL). OPL is a multi-national pharmaceutical company which is listed in Pakistan. I was engaged in the year-end audit for June 2008.
Al Juraid Riyadh, Saudi Arabia February 2010 to May 2010
- ASSURANCE
Seconded to the Riyadh office as Senior Associate. The international engagement has augmented my overall experience by enabling me to work in best- in-class, multi-cultural environment. My responsibilities included end-to-end engagement management from planning stages to post-execution tasks.
Following are the significant clients that have contributed to my professional growth: • Saudi Indian Company for Co-operative Insurance (SICCI) . I was responsible for the year-end audit and interim review of the first quarter of 2010.
• Maalath Insurance Company. I was responsible for year-end audit and interim review for the first quarter of 2010.
• URS Dames and Moore, Saudi Arabia. I was responsible for the year-end audit for 2009.
• Saudi Sanabel Investment Company. Performed special assignment of preparing the financial statements for the client.
Chartered Accountant The Institute of Chartered 2010 • Qualified in June 2010 attempt. Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP)
Masters in Economics from University of Karachi
Passed Bachlors degree with A1 grade.