Manager, Financial Services
Zayed University
Total years of experience :36 years, 5 Months
Currently working for Zayed University, which is one of the three federal government universities in the UAE. I work in the capacity of Financial Services Manager reporting to the Director Financial Services. I am responsible for managing and controlling an annual budget of AED 600, 000, 000. The key aspects of my responsibilities include:
• Keeping up to date with Finance Decrees from Ministry of Finance and Government Authorities to ensure timely implementation.
• Effectively using automated financial management system (Banner & Oracle). Reviews and implements recommendations to improve accounting processes procedures.
• Managing and coordinating the efforts of 12 FTEs
• Responsible for ensuring accuracy, completeness and conformance to policy and procedures for payment documents, bank reconciliation statement and other financial and accounting transaction records and reports in the most efficient and timely manner.
• Organize and control the activities in the accounting section in order that books of accounts, accounting, and financial records are prepared in a timely and accurate manner.
• Cross-checks details of financial components such as inventory, cash balance, accounts receivable, fixed assets, payroll and petty cash.
• Handle approximately 30, 000 monthly financial transactions, totaling AED 50, 000, 000.
• Reviews accounts payable documents for completeness and compliance with policy, and comments on exceptions before forwarding to director for payment authorization
• Ensure accurate and timely payment to suppliers, contractors etc. as per terms of contract and all supporting documents.
• Oversee payroll function worth AED 25, 000, 000 monthly of more than 1, 000 employees and resolve any exceptional issues; ensure payroll data is processed accurately and on time. Issue credit facilities requests and salary certificates for employees.
• Oversee the budgeting process and an active member of the budget committee, which approves the spending of academic colleges and administrative department budgets.
• Review and check monthly bank reconciliation data for 20, 000 transactions to ensure accuracy.
• Scrutinize and review monthly reports such as general ledger, cash flow, variance reports and monthly closing reports.
• Manage the endowment fund of Zayed University worth AED 60, 000, 000. Preparation of quarterly/annual reports and liaise with bank for managing our portfolio.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the bank and communicate regularly on financial matters. Interact with, and provide information to auditors during internal and state audit. Deal with Ministry of Finance effectively for funding issues.
• Responsible for producing end of year results for Ministry of Finance.
• Member of various administrative committees, which are involved in making decisions for the growth of University including promotions and recruitment.
Worked with British Airways, Dubai as Financial Controller - Middle East, Central Asia and Pakistan, which included UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia reporting into the Area Business Manager Middle East & Central Asia. Headed the Middle East Finance unit with the following main responsibilities:-
• To direct and control all Financial transactions, both expenditure AED 400, 00, 000
and revenue AED 650, 000, 000 to ensure compliance with corporate standards, procedure, reporting time scales, local requirements and adequate internal controls.
• Responsible for the preparation of Expenditure budgets AED 500, 000, 000 for Middle East, Central Asia and Pakistan.
• Responsible for rolling out Sarbanes Oxley (Self Audit Program) in Middle East, Central Asia and Pakistan and its compiling at Area level.
• Management of accounting system to cover Middle East, their Regional Engineering, Regional Cargo and International Cabin Crew.
• Production of Management Accounts and Quarterly Accounts including expenditure forecasting for all the above stations.
• Manpower, forecasting for Expenditure and revenue.
• Assists and provides information to Commercial Managers at Country and Area levels which helps them to analyze Commercial opportunities and business planning.
• Co-ordinates with HR Manager on regular basis and in finalizing dues for outgoing staff according to labor law for that country.
• Liaises with Bank officials and other legal department across the patch for smooth operation of business and to safeguard Commercial interest.
• Responsible for running monthly Payroll of approx 300 employees including computation of various allowances payable to ground staff & Cabin crew.
• Liaises between GSA and Treasury to ensure maximum funds flow (approx. AED 50, 000, 000/month on an average) to Head Office while retaining minimum to meet local commitments.
• Personal and Administrative matters- Ensures proper and timely handling of immigration and labor regulation relating to expatriate staff. Also negotiates with suppliers for better rates and often with landlords for property related issue.
• Master of Business Administration with major in Finance from the International University of Missouri - Karachi Campus
• Bachelor of Commerce in the year 1988 from University of Karachi.