Rai Ali Abbas - ACA

Key Result Areas

* Leading the Group Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis function, key tasks include; developing income statement and working capital forecasts, analyzing monthly results, developing and presenting financial reporting packages for monthly and quarterly operating reviews
* Spearheading overall financial operations encompassing accounting, budgeting, reporting, month-end closure, consolidation of financial statements and other financial functions while adhering to various standards
* Completing prospecting, evaluation and advisory for new projects including Merger & Acquisition (M&A); as part of the Due Diligence exercise, carefully analysing existing business processes, contracts, financial records and preparing detailed report
* Planning and supervision of post acquisition integration of businesses and delivering significant operational and admin synergies
* Devising & providing business reporting and analytics aimed to support Business Unit Heads in timely decision-making; setting and measuring Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
* Coordinating with Sell Side Advisers of the group and ownership of the process of attracting equity investment into the group
* Steering end-to-end evaluation of financial performance, operational efficiency and variance analysis to determine difference between projected & actual results and implementing the corrective actions and helping in decision support; generating MIS reports to provide feedback to the management on financial aspects
* Formulating consolidation of group Level Revenue and Cash Forecast and presenting to CEO
* Developing financial performance metrics, business valuation models to determine feasibility, revising forecasts based on monthly financial reviews


Highlights:

* Restructured the booking process and redesigned management reporting packs on product basis, provided more product-based insight and value-added analysis for new product strategic planning and expense management
* Saved $2m annualized through a cost cutting plan which included savings from right sizing the departments through product profitability analysis, reducing the trade licenses through legal structure streamlining, proposed renegotiation on some vendor contracts and minimized rent & admin costs
* Improved margins by 10% as a result of insights generated through product/project profitability analysis. In depth analysis led to cost savings through efficiencies in product lines and pricing corrections.
* Bagged Performance Excellence Award from CEO for restructuring of management reporting and successfully structuring and closing the acquisition of a market research company in UAE
* Supported a successful launch into APAC markets by setting up a JV in Singapore with local partner and providing a model for future deal structuring
* Assisted with successful post acquisition integration of 3 businesses in UAE, UK and US with significant operational and admin synergies
* Enabled 8% revenue and 13% EBITDA CAGR over the 3 years with business
* Enhanced forecast accuracy to 5% for quarterly results; worked with Client Service & Collection Teams to improve debtor turnover days by 36%

• Led & conducted audit of various multinational and local companies
• Executed statutory audits under local regulations as well as foreign group reporting in accordance with the instructions of Group Auditors under the applicable financial reporting framework
• Managed a portfolio of audit clients, which included planning, supervision and finalization of statutory audits in compliance with Local Laws and Regulations, KPMG Audit Manual (KAM), International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs)
• Conducted comprehensive system study of the business processes of entities
• Ensured compliance with Independence & Ethics Guidelines issued by KPMG/ICAP/IFAC
• Developed and maintained relationship with clients