SAJEEV GEORGE, Group Finance Director

SAJEEV GEORGE

Group Finance Director

Leading Group of Co’s

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Master's degree, Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
Experience
32 years, 4 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :32 years, 4 Months

Group Finance Director at Leading Group of Co’s
  • United Arab Emirates
  • My current job since November 2020

The business of this Group includes Property Development, Real Estate, Construction of high raised buildings and villas, Manufacturing and
Facility Management. The construction company was established in year 1969 and over 50 years’ experience in the industry. The Real
Estate company also one of the market leader in Dubai. Over the years these companies were developed an extensive capabilities in the
construction, real estate and manufacturing industries, which includes commercial, residential and governmental projects.
Role:
• Providing financial leadership to protect the interest of the shareholders and acting as single point of contact to advise on the financial
status & risks of the company from a trusted source
• Formulating & developing financial policies which can significantly improve the performance & profitability of the organization
• Directing organization’s financial planning & accounting functions and maintaining relationships with lending institutions, shareholders
and the Finance Team
• Compiling Management Reports, Financial Statements, Consolidated Reports & presenting it to the Management & Board of Directors
• Preparing & monitoring reports & forecasts/ budgets, undertaking financial modelling and analysis including project costing
• Monitoring business performance, continuously identifying proactive measures to increase profitability, productivity and mitigating
potential exposure to the results
• Verifying investment proposals and ensuring compliance with company’s investment strategies as to asset classes, region, sector
guidelines, IRR and payback period & so on
• Submitting & complying with all tax regulations on a timely basis; coordinating with tax consultant, M/s Emirates Chartered Accountants
to review previous years documents / transactions and consider necessary actions to rectify non compliances, if any
• Liaising with banks to arrange project facilities including long-term loan, import line (LC/TR), PPC discounting & bank guarantees
• Ensuring financial controls & compliances; interacting with internal/external auditors and Tax Advisors in case of specific assignment
• Supervising finance department of Real Estate division with lease hold department, property development, asset management and real
estate business activities
• Preparing short term / long term cash flow and monitoring working capital for the companies including debtors / creditors analysis;
establishing financial acumen & analytical experience delivering forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis & data interpretation of results
• Conducting feasibility studies, business planning & valuations; developing organization prospects & revenue opportunities, projecting
procurements and expansion possibilities, analyzing organization operations, identifying opportunities for development, cost reduction
and systems enhancement and accumulating cash flow to finance department
• Planning & executing corporate strategy in best interest based on current and expected business, economic and regulatory environment
related to company takeover to control operational cost
• Establishing consistent & appropriate business practices, enhanced controls for credit risks, and built staff/supplier morale at a time of
financial distress; instituted controls, teamwork and accountability throughout the entity

Finance Manager at M/s. Emirates Buildings Systems Co LLC , (EBS)
  • United Arab Emirates
  • January 1998 to October 2020

Well experienced in ERP and VAT implementation)
A subsidiary of Dubai Investments PJSC company, one of the leading manufacturers of pre-engineered steel structures in the Middle
East with a production capacity of 75, 000 tons per year and manpower of 1200+ personnel. The company is a specialist in the construction
of high rise steel buildings, warehouses and other large infrastructure projects like the metro rail networks and airports in the region. The
business of this company includes manufacturing & construction.
Role:
• Established financial leadership for long-term strategic & operational planning of the organization, capitalizing company’s profit margin
• Directed & supervised financial department and it’s interface with other departments, clients, financial organizations & authorities
• Administered Fiscal management by strategically organizing & managing monetary functions including budgeting & forecasting for 5
years, trade finance activities (LC’s, TR, guarantees), cash flows & so on
• Reviewing project costing, (budget & actual), work in progress, variance analysis & cost control
• Prepared & implemented Authority matrix in all departments
• Ensured timely completion of monthly & quarterly reporting and variance analysis; prepared various KPIs & reports for head office, Board
of Directors and Audit Committee
• Steered working capital including Cash, Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, Inventory Turnover to safeguard the improvement of
the key KPIs and ensure credit worthiness, negotiated with banks for better credit facilities
• Managed General & Administration expenditure to be in line with budgets & compliance with General Affairs Policy & Procedures (GAPP)
• Prepared Risk MIS; assisted in financial modelling necessary for business development, including costing for new products, investment
of new establishment, return on CAPEX investment & so on
• Managed VAT implementation & supervised the return filings; coordinated with external VAT consultant M/s WTS Dhruva to ensure the
accuracy of data & documentation on monthly basis
• Coordinated with the consultant and implemented latest International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Supervised & coordinated the implementation of ERP software with all departments
• Liaised with the Auditors (KPMG/PWC), Insurers, Lawyers & Bankers; coordinated with management to develop & implement HR
strategies that are appropriate for the business needs and consistent with the group's overall HR strategy

Financial Analyst at M/s Fujairah National Construction Co. (FNC)
  • United Arab Emirates
  • January 1993 to January 1997

A leading construction company in the UAE with multinational operations. Subsidiary of Fujairah National Group
Role:
• Participated in the development & implementation of the Finance strategy as well as the financial policies, procedures & systems;
identified opportunities for continuous improvement
• Reviewed contractual agreements, work in progress, project costing, variance analysis & cost control
• Prepared cash flow statements and assisted in budget & forecast preparation; administering ERP Implementation
• Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual closure of management reports and variance analysis in a timely manner to meet strict group
reporting deadlines
• Evaluated the efficiency, designed internal controls & proposed recommendations to plug in the gaps as measure to minimize the risk
• Administered Treasury management: cash projections, financing requirements (drawdown request preparation, working capital facility
arrangement), loan repayments, deposits
• Participated in all commercial & investment decision-making process and ensured ROI
• Administered Payroll, Employee Benefits, Company Insurance and other H.R. functions; managed renewal of medical Insurance & other
general Insurance policies; liaised with auditors, insurers, bankers & head office

Audit Executive at M/s. Nambiar & Thomas Chartered Accountants
  • January 1991 to January 1993

Taxation, Advisory & Audit firm based in India.
Role:
• Conducted statutory audit of clients & prepared financial statements; analyzed business process, reviewed internal controls, performed
risk analysis and ensured legal compliance
• Finalized books of branches and consolidated accounts at group level
• Initiated management representation letter recommendations, drafted audit reports for management and executive reviews
• Supported the clients to prepare accounting manual, policy and procedures
• Performed special audits like Payroll, Inventory, Cash transactions, Tax compliance audit & so on
• Performed analytical procedures to detect unusual financial transactions; reported audit findings & recommendations to management
• Filed tax returns for the client
Notable Accomplishments Across the Career
• Implemented regulatory standards, effectively meeting financial reporting requirements and integrity in accounting
• Played vital role during VAT Implementation to ensure smooth functioning
• Submitted management accounts, which highly helped decision making on time
• Drastically reduced overdue receivables, which influence smooth running of cash flow
• Due to the continuous monitoring and follow up with all departments, direct and indirect costs were managed in strict control in line with
annual budget
• Designed turnaround strategies during covid-19 affected market situation and provided due diligence expertise
• Developed ideas and implemented strategies to decrease financial waste
• Identified investment opportunities and secured loans for expansion

Education

Master's degree, Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • at The Institute of Management Accountants (Strategic Cost Management and Business Analysis)
  • November 2020

courses: Governance, Risk & Control Financial & Business Modeling Management/Board Level Reporting ERP/ VAT Implementation & Management IFRS Compliant Reporting Due Diligence / Treasury Management Soft Skill Professional Qualifications • Certified Management Accountant (CMA) • Master of Commerce (M.Com) • Research Analyst – National Institute of Securities Market (NISM)– India • Certified in Financial Management from London International Studies

Higher diploma, Certified in Financial Management
  • at London International Studies and Research Center
  • October 2020
Higher diploma, Research Analyst
  • at National Institute of Securities Market India (NISM)
  • August 2018
Master's degree, Master in Commerce (M.Com)
  • at Vinayaka Mission's University
  • February 2012
Higher diploma, Certified in Business Administration and Management
  • at The British College of Professional Management
  • March 2000

Specialties & Skills

ERP Management
Budgeting and Forecasting
ACCOUNTANCY
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
BUDGETING
CASH FLOW
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
COST CONTROL
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
DECISION MAKING
FINANCE

Languages

English
Expert
Malayalam
Expert
Hindi
Native Speaker

Memberships

The Institute of Certified Management Accountant
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • November 2020

Training and Certifications

Trade Finance Activities (LC, Guarantees ....) (Training)
Training Institute:
Emirates NBD, HSBC and Standard Chartered Banks
UAE VAT Implementation and Management (Training)
Training Institute:
M/s WTS Dhruva Consultant and Emirates Chartered Accountant
IFRS Implementations (Training)
Training Institute:
KPMG

Hobbies

  • karate
    Karate 2nd Dan Black Belt Holder