Vinod Crasta

• Directed finance and administrative functions for trading firm with AED 35 million turnover.
• Ensured compliance with UAE VAT and corporate tax regulations, minimizing risk exposure.
• Streamlined month-end processes, achieving substantial procurement savings.
• Prepared comprehensive monthly and annual financial reports for senior management review.
• Conducted regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential issues.
• Created advanced forecasting models using Excel, enhancing financial planning accuracy.
• Consolidated management accounts, integrating income statements and cash flow data. Established analytical framework to uncover and develop financial growth opportunities.

• Conducted a comprehensive review of the UAE and US accounting processes, identifying critical gaps and errors in financial reporting.
• Successfully completed the preparation of US financials and delivered an actionable project execution plan for the team.
• Identified accounting discrepancies in the UAE-based operations, prepared detailed reports, and ensured resolution and closure.
• Provided project planning, guidance, and handover to ensure smooth execution by the internal team.
• Enabled streamlined accounting operations by addressing errors and establishing clear procedural improvements.

• Implemented budgeting for FY2024, managing AED 18-20 million in expenses.
• Transitioned the Group to accrual-based accounting, improving financial reporting accuracy.
• Projected Cash Flow and Projected Profit and Loss Statements were prepared for the Group.
• Monthly Profit and Loss Statements with Financial reports were prepared for Jan to Mar 24 for all companies.
• Cash Flow Statements for 7 days, 15 Days and 30 Days were prepared to maintain control; total cash flow management of approx.AED.18 million.
• Identified cost-saving opportunities, achieving AED 3.5 million in negotiated reductions.
• Implemented efficient financial and operational systems resulting in improved productivity and profitability.
• Contributed to strategic direction and target achievement through margin analysis and financial reporting.
• Established financial controls and ensured compliance with statutory regulations. Got all companies registered for Corporate Tax and initiated VAT registration.

Key Responsibilities:
• Contributed to the strategic direction of the organization by creating an action plan and reporting on deliverables, resulting in a clear understanding of target achievement. Prepared business insights and analytics to develop strategic plans for trading operations, contributing to the company's growth and success.
• Conducted margin analysis to support decision making in the appointment of service providers/suppliers, resulting in cost benefits for the organization.
• Established a comprehensive framework for financial reporting, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of financial information. Generated management accounts, conducted cost analysis, prepared budgets and forecasts, pricing reports, and profit margin reports, providing valuable insights for decision making and improving financial performance.
• Implemented strong financial controls, ensuring the integrity of financial processes and safeguarding company assets.
• Managed the Finance & Accounting function for the principal company and its related entities, demonstrating the ability to handle a wide range of financial responsibilities independently.
• Ensured compliance with statutory regulations and legislation, including Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO), and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements.
• Authored the HR policy, developing and implementing effective human resources policies and procedures. Managed the employee related recruitment, onboarding & other necessary formalities including but not limited to Payroll, Leave Management, HRM, visa, insurance, EOSB, etc.
• Successfully completed audits for fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022, ensuring accurate financial reporting and adherence to auditing standards.

Achievements:
• Accelerated profit margins by implementing a strategic approach of timely and bulk purchasing, along with staggered deliveries tailored to meet end-user needs. Negotiated favorable payment terms, resulting in profit margin increases ranging from 2% to 7%, equivalent to approximately AED 3 million.
• Took proactive compliance measures and made informed business decisions, leading to savings of approximately AED 2 million through the avoidance of unnecessary payments.
• Successfully renegotiated contracts with banks, resulting in a 1% reduction in interest rates. Overall savings exceeded AED 500, 000
• Demonstrated a proactive approach to regulatory compliance by promptly assessing and addressing potential issues, thereby averting fines from regulatory bodies. This proactive stance not only protected the company financially but also enhanced its reputation.
• Identified gaps which would result in fine implication and renegotiated on fines applied and thus saved more than approx. AED.1.2 million.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conducted deviation analysis of key performance indicators (Operating Income, Cash flow, DSO, DIO, etc.) and delivered timely and accurate financial and management information to the management team on a regular and ad hoc basis.
• Prepared the annual business plan, financial forecasts, and estimates within scheduled timelines and in close collaboration with management, ensuring high levels of accuracy in the input data.
• Generated monthly management information systems (MIS) reports with a strong focus on analyzing actual results against targets, identifying risks and opportunities, and providing valuable insights to the management team.
• Implemented changes and challenged existing practices to enhance efficiency and drive profitability within the organization.
• Managed tender submissions using a comprehensive process that emphasized risk management, cost savings, and timely delivery of projects.
• Produced year-end financial reports, as well as annual and quarterly reports, contributing to transparent and comprehensive financial reporting for stakeholders.
Achievements:
• Successfully achieved profitability for each project through effective negotiations, leveraging a wide range of suppliers, optimizing credit terms, and utilizing standard/volume discount principles. These efforts resulted in a significant margin increase from 4-5% to 18-25%, amounting to approximately INR 22.1 crore during the year.
• Applied cost and project management techniques to proactively identify and address potential project overruns, ensuring timely mitigation and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
• Introduced the Contract and Variation Order concept to enhance project feasibility and control costs. This implementation resulted in effectively managing cost variations, amounting to over INR 15.3 crore during the year.
• Made significant contributions to business expansion plans, including diversifying into interior designing and civil works, as well as opening remote offices to seize new business opportunities. These initiatives led to substantial revenue growth, increasing from INR 4 crore to INR 28 crore within the first year.

Key Responsibilities:
• Held overall responsibility for managing various departments within the Corporate Services function, including Finance (Accounts Payable, Business Analysis, Petty Cash, Budgeting, CMC, Fixed Asset Management), HR, Administration, Utilities, Stores, Contracts, Procurement, and IT with a combined budgetary outlay exceeding QAR 2.3 billion.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability by stepping in to manage Facilities, Transport Management and Staff Accommodation (Housing) areas as needed to meet the dynamic requirements of the business.
• Successfully established efficient processes and divisions to effectively manage and coordinate the roles within my specific responsibilities.
Achievements:
• Conceived the business rules and implemented various control and efficiency IT applications governing Inventory Management, Asset Management and Petty Cash. These systems improved accuracy and streamlined processes within the organization.
• Inventory Management System having and SKU of 100, 000+ nos; regular audits and efficiency management resulted with almost zero variance in annual audit carried out by Group Finance.
• Petty Cash Management System along with IT which was later adapted across other business units of Qatar Airways.
• Designed and developed Asset Tracking System to track various types of assets; this helped in managing more than 650, 000 asset line items with a combined worth of over QAR1.8 million spread over 187 locations.
• Extensively used Excel for prototyping working systems with business rules that subsequently formed the basis for a Utilities Management system, enabling efficient payouts to service providers and accurate recharges to staff and sister concerns.
• Implemented a Time Management system in SharePoint using MS InfoPath forms, enhancing control and transparency in service provider payouts.
• Led the breakdown of manpower (BDM) for HR management, utilized for recruitment, budgeting, tracking, and control purposes.
• Spearheaded the creation of a Business Requirement Document (BRD) for the Facilities Management System (FMS) interface and automation, specifically focusing on cost capture, inventory requisition, recharges, and service provider payments.
• Implemented detailed schedules for budgeting, replacing traditional ledger-based methods, resulting in more accurate cost capture across all aspects of operations, including Facilities (Residential & Commercial), Housing, Properties, and Projects. The accuracy was such that the variance was less than 0.25%.
• Established six department cost centers and one group-related cost center, enabling clear distinction between department-specific running costs and costs incurred on behalf of the group.
• Oversaw the growth of a team from the initial 5 members to a team size of 53 members over a span of 7 years, introducing sections such as HR & Administration, Contracts, Procurement, Utilities, Stores, Finance (Accounts Payable, Petty Cash & Business Analysis), and Asset Management for improved management and control. The business transformed from a vendor led Facilities Management group to an in-house managed organization, keeping in line with the Corporate vision for Quality control of services being provided to frontline staff (Deck Crew (Captains, Pilots) and Cabin Crew in particular), Security and stringent On-time Delivery requirements (uninterrupted facilities service delivery, transportation, etc) that were one of the key factors catapulting Qatar Airways to “World’s Best Airline” status. Qatar Airways possesses today possesses significant expertise in Housing (Accommodation) and Facilities (Residential & Commercial) Management along with Special Civil Engineering projects for consolidating immovable properties ownership new builds, maintenance and leasing.
• Ensured the continuity of all facilities-related contracts for seamless business operations.

Key Responsibilities
• Prepared financial management reports and participated in monthly business review meetings.
• Conducted monthly variance analysis of actual vs. budget, providing commentary and follow-up actions.
• Developed and monitored key performance indicators for the business unit, enabling informed decision-making.
• Led project management initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and financial targets.
• Managed security costs and billing processes, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
• Implemented internal controls and strengthened financial reporting systems.
• Ensured financial integrity and reliability, reviewing and strengthening internal controls and procedures.
• Prepared reports of a more advanced and detailed nature involving projections and forecasting for senior management.
• Managed project cost estimating, tracking, and analysis, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost control.


Achievements:
• Invented a cross-billing template that significantly reduced the time frame for billing from two weeks to less than 2 hours, improving efficiency and cash flow.
• Pioneered the development of templates and finance models to effectively track and manage project-related budgets and expenditures, ensuring accurate financial monitoring and control.
• Projects managed:
o HRDC Tank Constructions Project (6 x 5M liters) - Managed a project worth USD 28 million, overseeing the construction of six tanks with a capacity of 5 million liters each.
o HRDC 3.5kms Pipeline Project - Successfully managed a pipeline project valued at USD 4.1 million, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budgetary constraints.
o Kandahar Accommodation Project for 600 staff - Led the management of a large-scale accommodation project for 600 staff, with a budget of USD 18.2 million, ensuring comfortable and efficient living arrangements.
o Kandahar 7.2kms Pipeline Project - Oversaw the execution of a pipeline project spanning 7.2 kilometers in Kandahar, with a budget of USD 7.8 million, ensuring quality construction and timely completion.
o HRDC - Tank & Pipeline, Fire Suppression & Fuel Hydrant System, etc. - Managed multiple projects totaling USD 85 million, including tank and pipeline construction, fire suppression system implementation, and fuel hydrant system installation, among others.

These achievements highlight my ability to innovate and streamline processes, effectively manage project finances, and successfully oversee projects of significant scale and complexity.

• Consolidated the credit analysis function, improving cash flow by reducing receivables from 90 days to spot and ≤42-day payments, while mitigating risk from marginal customers.
• Recovered 96.8% of previously written-off receivables, adding USD 15.7 million directly to the bottom line through strategic debt recovery efforts.
• Resolved long-standing debts from 2005-2006, reducing an outstanding AED 4.7 million balance to zero within just 8 months, demonstrating exceptional persistence and financial resolution skills.

• Successfully set up end-to-end financial accounting systems from scratch, including chart of accounts, accounting software, and control procedures. Accurately captured and classified CAPEX and OPEX data, enabling clear financial reporting and identification of intercompany and owner-related loans.
• Developed and enforced internal accounting policies to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Designed and implemented financial control systems supporting MLM operations across 120+ countries.
• Oversaw payroll and HR functions, driving operational efficiency and ensuring seamless integration with financial processes.

• Developed comprehensive internal audit schedules for the Recruitment and Training departments, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures. These schedules facilitated effective risk management and quality control within the organization.
• Successfully achieved targets for multiple entities, including Group, Branch, Recruitment, and Training, across various locations, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Sharjah branches. This demonstrated consistent performance and the ability to meet and exceed goals in diverse operational environments.

• Maintained accurate excise reports and ensured timely bill clearance.
• Prepared comprehensive MIS to support decision-making processes.
• Coordinated inventory reconciliation to optimise stock levels.