Rasika Gamage

Alfardan Group is one of the largest (US$ multi Bn) diversified lifestyle conglomerate in Qatar. The Group engage in Automotive (BMW, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Ferrari), Jewellery & Watches, Property Development & Rentals, Hospitality (St. Regis, Kempinski), Shared Services and Investing activities. It has 30+ subsidiaries and operates in Qatar, KSA & Oman.
www.alfardan.com.qa

Highlights
•Proactively contributed in achieving operational and financial objectives, identifying deficiencies & potential opportunities, developing innovative and cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness and increasing profitability.
•Stellar role in setting up and achieving top KPIs (best performing finance team) in the Group.
•Streamlined entire finance functions of Alfardan Oman & Projects during pre-opening (2yrs) to facilitate company business planning and decision making.
•Converted various cost centers into profit centers and consistently exceeded performance parameters.
•Introduced the concept of MIS reporting to update the management on a regular basis.
•Successfully handled overall annual audit process of the Group Holding’s for 5 consecutive years to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Key Responsibilities
•Overall responsible for managing all Accounts, Finance, Taxation, Insurances with global exposure in terms of incorporating companies abroad and raising funds in international market.
•Delivering financial statements in compliance with IFRS & various regulations to meet all the accounting procedures and statutory requirements.
•Generating data and providing MIS & dashboard reports to the stakeholders to enhance the company’s financial sustainability and growth.
•Evaluating & developing performance measures that support the Group’s strategic direction.
•Reviewing & analyzing financial statements from various business units and consolidated level.
•Supporting Group’s ‘Shared Services’ and recharges across business units to maximize cost effectiveness.
•Providing of working capital and cash flows including foreign currencies to ascertain efficient record keeping and retention.
•Overall In-charge of formulating Group Holding’s budget and full accountability of monitoring & controlling throughout the year.
•Assessing interest rate, foreign currency & transaction risks to ensure financial accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards, procedures and internal audit requirements.
•Evaluating and reviewing performance in investments & portfolios (over US$ 1Bn) to forecast the organization's financial position.
•Reviewing the consolidated financial statements for statutory compliances.
•Managing borrowings over US$ 400Mn and arranging timely repayments, rollovers and compliance certificates in line with financial covenants.
•Provide financial overview and leadership for all major operating activities including development of business plans.
•Monitoring of company taxation and liaison with tax authorities.
•Lead & guide team of accounting professionals to achieve set goals & business objectives.

Seagull Group is one of the leading diversified conglomerate in Maldives. The Group engage in FMCG Trading (various international brands), Hospitality (tourist resorts, 5 star restaurants, tourist yachts), Fisheries & Agriculture, Boat/Yacht Building & Investing activities.
www.seagullmaldives.com

Highlights
•Streamlined entire accounting & finance functions of the Group and established internal controls.
•Managed the project & successfully implemented Sage Accpac ERP system in the Group automating entire processes and reduced reporting timeline from 3 months to 2 weeks.
•Reduced the overall financial costs through prudent fund management.
•Played a key role in transforming breakeven Company to a profit making level in 2 years and continued business growth.
•Turned around an organization-wide resistance toward automation and streamlined procedures that significantly improved efficiency while reducing costs.
•Stellar role in launching specialty shops, fleet of luxury yachts, centralized warehouse which directed to achieve business objectives.
•Minimized risks and maximized returns on short term investment of surplus funds.
•Associated closely in drafting investment guidelines, banking relationships and cash planning programs that reduced corporate borrowing and improved cash flow/other income.
•Having credential of monitoring recovery management and restructuring of long over dues.

Key Responsibilities
•Administered the accounting and financial operations solely and on consolidation level, developed and implemented financial, procurement and commercial policies, systems and procedures to enhance company’s financial sustainability and growth.
•Nursed performance management in financial and non-financial business areas to keep the upper management abreast of all financial control operations and internal/external reporting requirements of the organization.
•Acclimated formulation & implementation of business strategic plans and monitored them to reduce cost and budget compliance.
•Formulated the financial manual including company chart of accounts and cost centers.
•Administered technical expertise & assistance to the Users as Systems Administrator for ERP to determine the accuracy.
•Advocated policies on pricing and provided appropriate recommendations on pricing for facilitating daily cash management.
•Advised the board of directors on new investments & ventures to enhance better efficiency and profitability.
•Recommended the management and board of the company related to project and commercial finance and highlighting the risk exposure and risk coverage inclusive of credit, commercial, liquidation and legal.
•Arranged international trade functions (imports/exports) of the Group to mitigate loss.
•Augmented treasury management & arranged multiple finance facilities for projects and growth and enhanced the operational efficiency of the company.
•Actively engaged in the HR & recruitment process and ensured optimal utilization of company resources.
•Developed professional capacity and confidence of the finance team.

Ernst & Young (trading as EY) is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It was the third largest professional services firm in the world by aggregated revenue in 2012 and is one of the "Big Four" accounting firms
www.ey.com

Highlights
•Judiciously performed a leading role with multiple tasks in various industries from SME to multinationals in Sri Lanka & Maldives to channelize business growth.
•In-charge of Business Risk Services and played a leading role in Consultancy Services (lead major projects).
•Lead in fraud investigations and explored major fraud/misappropriations in leading bank & shipping line in the Maldives.
•Achieved excellence in customer service and explored new business opportunities for the firm.
•Expertise insight in various industries especially in tourism/hospitality.

Key Responsibilities
•Performed consultancy assignments (2.5yrs) that included feasibility studies, investment appraisals (DCF), Due Diligences, Mergers & Acquisitions and Organizational Restructuring Processes for leading companies in the Maldives.
•Planned and executed process reviews, internal audits, external audits and tax services in Sri Lanka & Maldives.
•Carried out business risk assessment for various clients and provided recommendations to minimize risks.
•Constantly provided expertise support to clients to improve their efficiency, productivity, profitability & sustainability.
•Reviewed and strengthened internal controls, corporate governance, policies & procedures for clients.
•Studied, evaluated and recommended for clients on new investments and business ventures.
•Introduced innovative and cost effective systems & procedures for the clients in line with best industry practices.
•Established ‘Uniform System of Accounting’ in several tourist resorts which improved operational & reporting efficiency.
•Structured annual operational budget and implement control measures to contain expenses within defined limits.
•Solely responsible for conducting research and recommend positions on significant accounting & reporting issues.
•Pioneer in preparing variance analyses, and statement of cash flows for internal/external reporting.
•Ensured error proof accounting as per Statutory Accounting and its reconciliation.
•Led & mentored over 50 finance professionals during tenure of 4.5 years.

PAST EXPERIENCE

December 2000-January 2001: Deputy Head of Finance, Sun Sporting Holidays/ Palm Beach Resort & SPA, Maldives