AL FUTTAIM GROUP • MENA, SEA, Iran • January 2007 – Present
One of the most progressive regional family business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates servicing the companies ACE, Plugins Electronics, ToyRUs, Toystar, Sandgate, Intersports, Homeworks & HomeZone.
Chief Financial Officer
Successfully implemented a value-added tax (VAT) strategy and structure for the group to ensure timely filing of VAT returns. Oversees the Group’s financial position, banking and financing activities, and capital structure with respect of banking and financial covenants and hedging arrangements, as applicable. Supports the ecommerce line of business. Supports the CEO, Chairman and Board advises on external influences and their potential impact on the business. Sets financial objectives and created a 5 year business plan for implementation. Prepares and tracks annual budgets, monitors performance of key business units, and implements corporate plans and strategies. Deployed treasury management strategies and measures to mitigate financial risks. Complies with Corporate Governance and coordinates with the Statutory, Internal, and Government auditors to ensure process and legal compliance. Creates and submits quarterly and annual financial statements and performs cost benefit analysis. Presents feasibility studies to the Chairman on new channels, new countries, and expanding the business. Developed and monitored business KPI’s and set price points to reach margin optimization. Managed daily and weekly cash flow and working capital requirements. Monitored store operations to control thefts, shrinkage, frauds and increase efficiency. Negotiating credit terms, rebates and promotional support with suppliers and introduced ‘Supplier Financing scheme’. Trained and developed members of the finance team. Oversaw the maintenance of an effective group-wide financial control environment.
Key Accomplishments:
• Implemented VAT, Excise, and other taxation laws in UAE, KSA, Bahrain, and Qatar.
• Registered 400% increase in operating cash flow through better working capital management by self-funding new projects and lending instead of borrowing.
• Revamped the internal policies and procedures for better efficiency and controls.
• Introduced Supplier Financing scheme with Standard Chartered Bank in Middle East.
• ROCE improved by 400%
• Team leader for modification and upgradation of systems to SAP EC6 & BI Reporting tools.
• Oversaw debtor management and improved customer collections by 75% over one year.
• Successfully reviewed and updated buying function to order right mix with better margins resulting in 3% improvements in margin.
• Reduced stock by over 50%.
• Achieved a 5400% increase in net profits over 10 years.
• Achieved 7% reduction in expenses compared to previous periods and 10% compared to budgets.
• Identified new markets for expansion and prepared a robust plan to expand business and net profits.
• Secured increase in rebates and contribution from suppliers by 300%.
• Reviewed credit terms from advance payments to average 60 days for majority of vendors.
• Gained knowledge of US GAAP, SOX Compliance and other regulations.

Conducted internal and statutory audits for oil companies, financial institutions, investment companies, as well as manufacturing and retail trading houses. Planned and executed the audit process from start to finish, allocated staff and coordinated with clients to meet deliverables as planned. Reviewed financial systems, identified control lapses and financial risks, and offered suitable recommendations to improve processes. Prepared financial statements in accordance with IFRS & US GAAP guidelines.
Key Accomplishments:
• Conducting financial analysis of key clients including:
o City Centre, Kuwait & J.C Penny (Retail), Kuwait National Petroleum Company, B.J Services Company, U.S.A, Chevron Texaco (Energy) Siemens, Motorola (Telecom), Nestle (Trading) Industrial Bank of Kuwait, Al Ahli bank of Kuwait (ABK), Al Ahlia Investment (Banks & Investment Companies) Company and Gulf Investment Corp. (GIC), and Gulf Investment House.
• Vital in implementing the new program VECTOR (financial software to assess financial risks) in Middle East

Chicago Steel Tape Company • Chicago, IL • November 1997 - December 2000
Free-zone manufacturer and export of scientific instruments across USA and Europe.
Financial Controller at India Operations
Vital in creating and implementing long-term comprehensive corporate strategies. Formulated budgets and conducted variance analysis to identify shortcomings for re-building strategies. Saved financial costs by effectively negotiating with banks on interest rates and other charges. Prepared financial project reports and negotiated with banks to obtain working capital finance and long-term loans. Submitted monthly management information system (MIS) reports to the parent company in the U.S. Handled Central Excise, Customs and taxation related matters, including annual assessment with Income tax & Sales tax authorities and handling special approvals & appeals.
Key Accomplishments:
• Assisted in creating 100% Export Oriented Unit in a free zone in NOIDA, India.
• Prepared and submitted annual and periodic reports and returns to Sales & Income Tax Authorities, Central Excise & Customs, NOIDA Export Processing Zone (Ministry of Industry), Central Bank of India (R.B.I), and H.S.BC.