Muhammad Qasim Akbar

DicoTech is an international contracting company based in the British Virgin Islands. In collaboration with UAE partners, DicoTech has established branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and New York. The name "DicoTech", coined from Diversified Construction Technologies, reflects the company's wide scope of specialized activities in the service of construction industry.

Achievements in current role include:
• Design and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
• Introduction of KPI performance reporting;
• Organizational restructuring of Finance function;
• Institution of Project Cash Flow management practices;
• Design and development of Accounting Manual (Contd.); and
• Selection and implementation of entity-wide ERP solution (Contd.)

I assume the overall stewardship of Finance and Accounting function for Qatar Branch.

Core functional responsibilities include:
* Overseeing day-to-day accounting function
* Implementation and Monitoring of Internal Control (Financial and Operational)
* Preparation and review of Budgets and Forecasts; Financial Analysis; and Project Appraisal
* Stewardship of the budgetary control and transaction authorization
* Financial review of contracts, agreements and other documents
* Cash Flow Management
* Working capital management and Capex planning
* Developing relations with the financial institutions and arranging necessary finances

Other major management responsibilities include:
* Organizing and steering multi-skilled teams;
* Ensuring adequacy of cross-functional coordination;
* Developing strategic planning and control tools;
* Providing support to the business planning process; and
* Company-wide education and awareness on matters of financial significance.
* Effective participation in Executive Committee for strategic matters.

The group is second largest name in retail industry of the region and operates various chains of Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Minimarkets and high end Fashion Stores across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Other businesses include exclusive distributions, own branding, outsourcing, dates processing, real estate and property development.

My portfolio included six companies diversified into retail, exclusive distribution, outsourcing, and real estate development sectors. Responsibilities comprised of day-to-day handling of finance and accounting function, review of cash flow forecasts, ensuring adequacy of liquidity, and preparation of financial projections. My work required monthly review of financial statements, finalization of annual reports, and facilitating conduct of audit. I was also responsible for periodic refinement of business process flows and standard operating procedures.

The Group is primarily engaged in provision of educational services from school through post graduate level. The business ventures have also been diversified to real estate and property development.

As Financial Analyst, I held responsibility for a diverse role play. Key accountabilities included:
 Developing feasibility reports and proposals, considering new business ventures and foreign investments, appraisal of overseas and domestic projects, financial analysis and advisory, and preparation and implementation of financial restructuring plans at Group Level;
 Corresponding with financial institutions and international donors, developing relationships and maturing negotiation leads with finance providers, foreign and domestic investors, and philanthropic organizations;
 Collaboration with international universities for signage of mutual understandings, bilateral education agreements, and foreign affiliations;
 Developing terms of contracts, drafting agreements, quality assurance of documentation and correspondence, and ensuring appropriate conduct of secretarial practices.

For the matters of functional significance, I held a direct and immediate reporting capacity to the Chairperson of the Group.

I have gathered extensive experience in audit & assurance, business advisory services, and special assignments rendered to various national, multinational, public and private companies engaged in different industries. This comprised of analysis and review of financial and non-financial information and reporting thereon both in individual capacity, as a Team Leader, and as a team member in the Audit section of my firm.
In addition to the above, I also have gained experience in taxation services including but not limited to tax management and preparation & e-filing of tax returns.

Sectors served include:
 Paper and Board industry
 Construction and real estate development sector
 Energy sector (IPP’s)
 Insurance and Banking sector
 FMCG, Retail and Wholesale industries
 Apparel and Fabric