Mahmoud Ababneh

Providing strategic finance leadership and CFO advisory services to SMEs and growing
organizations across the UAE.

Key Responsibilities:
• Financial strategy and business transformation.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling.
• Treasury management and cash flow optimization.
• Banking negotiations and funding support.
• UAE Corporate Tax and VAT advisory.
• Investor readiness and business valuation.

▪ Develop and implement the company’s financial strategy, aligning it with the long-term business goals of the chemicals
manufacturing sector.
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▪ Create financial models, budgets, and forecasts that consider factors such as raw materials costs, production
efficiency, and market demand.
▪ Oversee financial operations, includingaccounting, financial reporting, and financial control.
▪ Ensure the accuracyand integrity of financial dataand adherence to accounting standards.
▪ Implement cost control measuresto optimize production costs and enhance overall profitability.
▪ Monitorand manage expenses, including those related to raw materials, labor, energy, and transportation.
▪ Make strategic decisions about capital investments in facilities, equipment, and technology to improve production
capabilities and competitiveness.
▪ Evaluate opportunities for merger and acquisition in the chemicals industry.
▪ Identify and manage financial operational risks specific to the chemicals manufacturing sector, such as supply chain
distributions, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
▪ Develop risk mitigation strategiesand ensure the company’s compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
▪ Manage cash flow to ensure the company has sufficient liquidity to cover operating expenses and debt obligations.
▪ Optimize working capital by efficiently managing inventory and accounts receivable.
▪ Prepare and present financial statements, reports, and key performance indicators to senior management, the board
of directors and external stakeholders.
▪ Ensure compliance with financial and environmental regulations, includingthose related to hazardous materials and
waste disposal.
▪ Develop and execute tax strategies that minimizethe company’s tax liability while remaining compliant with tax law
regulation specific to the chemical industry.
▪ Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards, as chemicals manufacturing often involves
handling potentially hazardous materials.
▪ Develop strategies to minimize environmental impact to improve sustainability.
▪ Collaborate with supply chain and procurement team to optimize sourcing of raw materials, manage inventories, and
establish efficient logistics.
▪ Communicate financial performance and strategicinitiativeto investors and financial analysts.
▪ Build relationships with the financial community and support capital-raising efforts when needed.
▪ Evaluate and implement technology solutions to enhance production process, quality control, and efficiency in
chemical manufacturing

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling
activities.
• Directed treasury management, cash flow forecasting, and working capital
optimization.
• Managed banking facilities, trade finance arrangements, and lender relationships.
• Prepared Board and Shareholder reporting packages supporting strategic business
decisions.
• Supported business growth through KPI-driven performance management and
strategic planning.

▪ Develop and implement the organizations financial strategy inalignmentwith its overallgoalsand objectives.
▪ Providefinancial leadership and guidanceto theexecutiveteamandboardofdirectors.
▪ Ensure that the financial strategy supports the organizationsgrowth andsustainability.
▪ Overseethepreparationofannualbudgetsandlong-termfinancialforecasts.
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▪ Conduct financial analysis to provide insights into the companysfinancialperformanceandtrends.
▪ Monitorkey performanceindicators (KPIs)and financial metricsto assessthecompanyshealth.
▪ Prepare and review accurate and timely financial reports, includingincomestatements, balancesheets, and
cash flow statements.
▪ Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations (e.g., GAAPorIFRS).
▪ Present financial reports to the executive team, board, and externalstakeholders.
▪ Manageandoptimizethecompanyscashflowtosupportitsoperationalandstrategicneeds.
▪ Oversee treasury functions, including cash management, workingcapitalmanagement, andinvestmentstrategies.
▪ Identifyandassessfinancialrisksandimplementstrategiestomitigate them.
▪ Developandimplementriskmanagementpoliciesandprocedures.Ensurethecompanyhasappropriateinsurance
coverage.
▪ Ensure compliance with tax regulations and reporting requirements. Coordinate financial audits and maintain
financial records for auditing purposes.
▪ Stay updated on changes in financial regulations and standards.
▪ Ensure adherence to ethical and legal financial practices.
▪ Stay updated on industry trends, emergingfinancialtechnologies, andbestpractices.
▪ Identify opportunities for processimprovement, automation, and cost savings.
▪ Instrumentally managed the day-to-dayFinance and Treasury Management.
▪ Coordinating with Bankers to raise funds for various business needs; liaise with Auditors to ensure annual
monitoring is carried out

• Directed finance operations across multiple business entities within a leading
regional group.
• Led annual budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and performance reporting
processes.
• Led finance teams supporting manufacturing, retail, and corporate operations across
multiple business units.
• Prepared Board, Shareholder and Executive Management reporting packages,
providing financial insights to support strategic planning, investment evaluation,
capital allocation and business growth initiatives.
• Reduced banking exposure from AED 65 Million to AED 17 Million.
• Managed treasury operations, banking relationships, and working capital
optimization.
• Supported business expansion initiatives and ERP transformation projects.

• Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance and revenue targets.
• Completed in-depth analyses of risks to control company profile, enhance systems and track legal concerns.
• Worked closely with audit team to hedge against or mitigate operational risks.
• Devised systems to monitor, evaluate and track operational achievements.
• Developed and oversaw yearly budgets and capital structure of company to determine best mix of debt, equity and internal financing.
• Oversaw production, pricing and distribution activities to generate profit for company.
• Directed budget development, budgetary controls and recordkeeping to make informed financial decisions.
• Tracked cash flow and financial planning to analyze companys financial strengths and weaknesses and propose strategic directions.
• Initiated back-and-forth communication to negotiate and approve contracts and agreements.
• Developed future financial plans to inform critical decision-making related to spending cuts, rightsizing labor force and timing planned business investments.
• Created and deployed initiatives to outperform revenue targets and increase company value.
• Devised benchmarks to align goals and strategies with underlying financials.
• Analyzed operational issues and implemented corrective action to maximize profits.
• Assessed company resources to keep business funded and nurture relationships with investors, lenders and key partners.
• Implemented cost reduction initiatives and process improvements to optimize efficiency and productivity.
• Managed regular finance tracking for numerous branch offices and headquarters expenses.
• Monitored budget and revenue trends, compiling reports for company leadership to inform decision-making.
• Supported operations management, sales and marketing efforts to increase revenue and overall financial health.
• Prepared and managed large capital expenditure budgets to effectively handle infrastructure investment and long-term operations.
• Trained new and existing staff members in various financial procedures to prepare for job requirements
• Analyzed financial statements against forecasts to prepare high-level variance analysis
• Created organizational structures to improve accounting and finance functions
• Supported operations management, sales and marketing efforts to increase revenue and overall financial health
• Evaluated project applications and verified with outline specifications to approve, reject and recommend adjustments
• Maintained responsive organization with sustained revenue growth through industry forecast monitoring and deliberate financial planning
• Identified partnership opportunities and established favorable business connections
• Reviewed documentation and identified financial discrepancies where applicable

• Provided accounting, taxation, advisory, and outsourced CFO services to SMEs and
family-owned businesses.
• Managed budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance activities.
• Advised clients on cash flow management, business planning, VAT, and financial
controls.

• Managed budgets and forecasts, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Oversaw cash flow management and banking relationships.
• Managed financial risks and strengthened internal control frameworks.
• Reviewed and analyzed commercial contracts, ensuring appropriate financial
assessment and accounting treatment.
• Partnered with operations teams to deliver cost-effective project execution and
profitability improvement.
• Monitored costs and identified efficiency improvements.
• Coordinated financial audits and mentored finance staff.

  Exploring profitable opportunities and working on the finance models to achieve organizational and growth objectives. Developing realistic plans to foster innovation programs to sustain and accelerate the future growth of organizational initiatives. Developing and implementing the commercial strategy for the business.
 Partner with the CEO and other senior leaders on operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, and revenue/expense analysis.
 Develop the annual budget. Oversee operating Budgets and exercises control to ensure expenditures do not exceed budgetary limits.
 Designing & implementing systems & procedures for timely preparation & maintenance of statutory books of accounts and financial statements. Calculating product costing and profitability, Overseeing budget controls to ensure cash is used effectively. Design and implement accounting policies & procedures; manage company’s billing & rating processes
 Instrumentally managed the day to day Finance and Treasury Management; looking after Fund Raising, Accounting, and Working Capital Management.
 Prepare material and present, as necessary, financial information BOD or other committees.
 Responsible for oversight of financial internal control and coordination of all financial audit.
 Handled and liaised with group bankers, auditors, customers, government institutes and other entities; maintaining good relationship with them. Coordinating with Bankers to raise funds for various business needs; liaise with Auditors to ensure annual monitoring is carried out
 Supervising entire operations ensuring timely execution while adhering to company’s guidelines. Identifying and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
 Verifying Sub-Contractors Payments / Claims as per Contract; generating various MIS reports for review by Senior Management. Observe the PO and Payments of Service, out-sourcing & materials
 Collaborating with Project department to follow up the progress at the site and collect payment certificate on time. Involving in Contract Negotiation & Contract Signing with clients to make sure that risks not involved in the contract
 Giving direction and supervision to manage Working Capital and supervision on Cash Management by forecasting and monitoring funds flows and reducing the financial cost of the Group. Developing team on ongoing basis, including but not limited to professional development, performance planning and management, etc.

 Key Deliverables:
 Ensured credibility of Finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts. Provided executive management with advice on the financial implications of business activities.
 Provided recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities. Ensured that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting
 Oversaw financial transactions, including billing, finance, accounting and reporting. Prepared materials and present, as necessary, financial information to Board of Directors. Prepared and communicated monthly and financial statements.
 Collaborated with CEO on developing the operating budget. Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the strategic plan. Provided timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, and financial forecasting.
 Spearheaded and coordinate an integrated financial planning process which includes inputs from sales, product, clinical, actuarial and operational expense units. Instrumentally developed and monitored policies and procedures within general accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and corporate guidelines to ensure sufficient cash flow, reduce operating costs, and increase revenues. Maintain general ledger structure, chart of accounts, policies and procedures to enable financial statement preparation and compliance with all required financial audits..
 Advised on contract negotiations from a financial impact perspective. Ensured that the company complies with all financial requirements of auditors and government agencies.
 Supported to HR Dept. to develop the skills and capabilities of finance staff and ensure that accurate job descriptions are in place. Provided advice and assistance on staff performance evaluations and identify training needs and opportunities accordingly.

• Directed FP&A, treasury, budgeting and forecasting functions.
• Increased daily sales from AED 50K to AED 275K.
• Improved profitability and EBITDA through operational restructuring.
• Managed banking relationships and working capital optimization.
• Supported strategic expansion and commercial growth initiatives.

 Be responsible for
o Establish best practice tools for financial project planning/management
o Collaborate with strategic planning to compose the project portfolio
o Orchestrate budget decisions for individual projects
o Set up best practice financial project reporting tools/mechanisms
o Prepare and implement company’s annual budgets, and cost control
o Optimize company’s financial structure, and find optimal financing
o Manage the financial units, including accountants
o Develop financial and management reports for top-level management and company shareholders
o Maintain relations with current and potential investors, banks and auditors
o Review business plans and financial feasibilities for potential new business
o Reporting to board of directors and work with senior teams to grow the businesses formulating high level strategies for short and long term plans.
o Negotiate and manage loans, and the Groups banks facilities in UAE Qatar and Oman.
o Tracking year to date and monthly performance for all group divisions. Understand variances and analyze business drivers of the same. Assessing performance with the view of a portfolio play.
o Lead and manage the budgeting process, Monitoring business performance, monitoring cash flow, preparation and submission of weekly and monthly reports
o Developing/implementing ERP solution for the company and its projects. Identifying activities, assigning cost of each activity resource to all products/services in line with actual consumption using step down method to efficiently deploy Activity-Based Costing (ABC) through ERP system

• Managed finance, treasury, banking, and corporate governance functions.
• Negotiated financing facilities and restructuring arrangements.
• Strengthened internal controls and risk management frameworks.

•o Designing/implementing accounting policies & procedures
o Devising internal controls covering all areas of accounting activities towards ensuring reliability of the financial reporting & compliance with laws & regulations
o Assisting Group Treasurer and M.D - Finance in managing cash proceeds & bank facilities related to projects
o Administering budget controls to ensure cash is used effectively
o Managing inter-company transactions; Conduct review and evaluation for cost reductions
o Liaising with
 Bankers to raise funds for various business needs
 Auditors to ensure annual monitoring is carried out
• Generate various MIS reports for review by Sr Management

• Be responsible for
o Developing/implementing financial policies, systems and procedures of establishment
o Participating in developing budget estimates and fiscal forecasting; Monitoring cash flow
o Assisting in the preparation of financial statements, various analysis and financial management reports
o Supervising the development and implementation of financial simulation models
o Evaluating financial reporting systems, accounting procedures & investment activities; Recommending changes to procedures, operating systems, budgets and other financial control functions
o Establishing profitability standards for investment activities and handle mergers and/or acquisitions
o Escalating any concerns critical to the organizations financial performance to Sr Management
o Managing/implementing fully integrated computerized or administrative systems
o Supervising and handling admin operations

• Be responsible for
o Providing and interpreting financial information
o Organizing new sources of finance for a companys debt facilities
o Monitoring and interpreting cash flows and predicting future trends
o Developing financial management mechanisms that minimize financial risk
o Conducting reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities
o Liaising with auditors to ensure annual monitoring is carried out
o Developing robust relationships with appropriate contacts e.g., Auditors, solicitors, bankers and statutory organizations such as Inland Revenue
 Generating accurate financial reports to specific deadlines

• Document risks and controls related to companies, operations, systems and financial reporting towards developing and executing annual risk-based audit plans
 Performing risk-assessment and developing audit plans of portfolio activities to include asset management, funding, cash management and valuation techniques
 Planning/executing audits in accordance with international standards; Executing audit tests of controls and testing procedures to include compliance tests, document analysis, evaluating results and summarizing key findings
 Reporting conclusions, recommendations and issue remediation status to managements
 Preparation of
o Feasibility reports including projected financial statements
o Financial statements including balance sheet, profit & loss account, cash flow statement
o Management reports detailing performance of firms weakness in the internal control
 Performing quality assurance self-assessments upon completion of the audit
 Defining planning requirements, setting project scope; Performing supervision throughout the life cycle of the audit
 Discussing findings, heat map and description of processes with Lead Manager and/or Audit Director
 Perform/manage special projects and administrative projects as requested by Client Management
 Coordinating, leveraging, streamlining audit assignments based on meetings with external accountants