Muhammad Irfan Akram

I am accounts and finance professional with 22+ years of experience directly applicable to your organizational needs and my resume depicts my professional characteristics and skills. 

Accepting challenges is the foundation of my life experiences and something I do with confidence. You will find me a totally committed individual with pride in being direct, spontaneous and communicative. 

From past experiences and education, I have acquired persuasive techniques that are needed to take critical decisions and smooth operations of daily works. My leadership skills are developed and have allowed me to spontaneously interact with ethnic diverse populations and all age groups. I am a motivator and organizer and these skills have enabled me to effectively defuse problem situations with customers using tact, thus creating a long-term client base. Teamwork is another skill I have acquired and one I know is necessary for organizational cohesiveness. Over the years, I have had to establish daily operational bases for projects/programs and provide the direction to ensure the progress and deadline were met. 

Utilize keen analysis, insights and team approach to drive organizational improvements and implementation of best practices. Superior interpersonal skills, capable of resolving multiple and complex (sales, human resources, legal, financial, operational) issues and motivating staff to peak performance.

My working experience includes but not limited to the following assignments:

Duties:

• Responsible for investigating and evaluating internal practices and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and governmental regulations
• Extensively researched in issues regarding compliance with the departments to make recommendations for improvement of policies and procedures accordingly
• Designed processes and system improvements to increase productivity and reduce costs
• Supervised of two direct reports and worked with management staff
• Established Internal Audit policies, procedures and audit evaluations
• Adopted client-oriented approach, fostering stronger relationships with potential audit clients.
• Implemented real-time audit analytics tool with business units to improve fraud detection and reduce process defects.
• Developed and implemented a risk based rotational audit plan for multiple locations including operational, financial, information systems and forensic audits.
• Performed and managed audits and presented significant findings and recommendations.
• Realized cost savings and recoveries
• Successfully minimized the cost of compliance by reducing the number of key controls and standardizing control procedures across business lines and entities.
• Coordinated with the Audit Firms to minimize external audit fees and maximize overall audit effectiveness.
• Overseeing all aspects of financial control in the business
• Providing financial, commercial and strategic support to the businesses and handled top multinational banks along with local banks within Bahrain, Dubai and Saudi Arabia
• Producing monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts
• Presenting monthly results, budget variances and ad-hoc analysis
• Involved in Business Planning, P&L, Balance sheet & liquidity planning
• Prepare business plans and financial modelling for company’s new business start-ups
• Overseeing internal financial controls
• Exercise appropriate signatory authority as per financial policies
• Supervise the recording of all financial and accounting transactions
• Producing meaningful commentary and analysis of financial data
• Liaised with Internal and Statutory Auditors and various government officials
• Developing, managing and motivating accounts and finance department team of accounts professionals
• Dealt with Insurance companies for insurance of company’s assets and claims against losses 
• Identify and develop controls and processes to ensure all risks and opportunities are highlighted
• Efficiently manage daily/monthly working capital and cash flow for appropriate distribution of funds
• Liaise with financial institutions for getting new credit limits/loans and supervise banking transactions.
• Timely closure of forecast and accounts in the company Accounting System. 
• Ensure financial accounting reports accurately reflect the financial condition of the business. 
• Supervise and finalize the costing and pricing of all manufactured and traded products on monthly basis for export and local customers.
• Prepare the annual budget and ensure the budgetary controls.
• Directs and ensures the effectiveness and appropriateness of IT system.
• Prepare and study feasibilities for all the new projects and products/ new franchises company going to launch and make sure these will be profitable
• Ensures that statutory filings for the different Government Ministries e.g. renewals of CRs, Custom Duty Exemption, Ministry of Environment etc. in a timely manner
• Prepared financial projections of the company for financial institutions
• Development and implementation of Accounting Policy and Procedures in current business environment.
• Developed and implemented perpetual inventory system, supervised monthly inventory count and report variances. Introduced new policies and procedures to reduce the inventory variances.
• Regularly review inventory aging and suggest steps to reduce aged items. Implemented annual aged inventory impairment policy
• Ability to motivate and train my subordinates to perform at their best
• Review and submission of sales tax/VAT returns on monthly basis
• Preparation and implementation of sales tax policies and procedures for the company
• Review and online submission of UK VAT returns on monthly basis

 Key Skills And Competencies:

• Ability to combine strong business acumen with effective management skills
• Sound understanding of the month end and year end process
• Ability to thrive within a fast-paced business environment
• Organised with excellent attention to details
• Motivate and lead the team with regular training and guidance

Ali abdul jalil turk & sons bsc (c), Bahrain, February 2018 – Present

Conglomerate of logistics, transport, property, fabrication, power transformer and distribution transformer services companies 

Group Financial Controller (Group),

Reporting to Board of Directors, recruited by executive search firm to leverage professional experience and drive operational and profit improvements. Responsible for Strategic Planning, Finance, Information Technology, and Planning & Inventory Control. Develop a strategic vision, champion formal planning processes, optimize the integration of operating departments, and lead reorganizations of department structures to meet the growth demands of the business.

Achievements

1. Improved the cash flow position of the company by recovering old debts and reducing receivables by 67%, as well as improving the collections cycle by reducing the credit period from 180 to 100 days
2. Establish annual budgets and budgetary controls
3. Implemented policies and procedures that reduced administrative and operational expenses by 11% and tightened control over expenditures
4. Implementation of new Orion 11J ERP to provide more detailed and accurate reports

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

Perspective Consultants group, Bahrain, February 2015 – Jan 2018 

Established a new company for Business Consultancy, Finance Consultancy, Business Process & Internal Controls Development, Bookkeeping and Tax Consultancy

Partner,

Audit, controls, and risk management professional. Experience includes the valued operational risk management advisor. Established the Internal Audit function and controls for companies. Provided financial consultancy to the clients. 

Achievements

1. Developed internal controls, policies, and procedures for Mobitel Communication WLL, Khalid Almoayed & Sons, Ali Abdul Jalil Turk & Sons BSC (Closed) as well as many other clients
2. Khalid Almoayed & Sons BSC (Closed) implemented Sage ERP successfully
3. Arranged invoice discounting facility from HSBC Middle East Bank for Mobitel Communications WLL
4. Assist clients in costing and quoting for new projects
5. Prepared feasibility study for new steel factory in Bahrain
6. Facilitated Tamkeen support to clients in the areas of business loans, asset acquisition, financial policies and procedures, marketing, and training Bahraini workers

Zayani motors SPC, Bahrain, July 2011 – February 2015

Automotive Company dealing in 13 franchises, having 3 showrooms and 5 parts outlets

Financial Controller,

Providing effective financial leadership to finance and accounts team to enable strategic foresight into the business and also provide knowledgeable and accurate information to colleagues and senior management

I provide financial stewardship of company assets and activities by ensuring an accurate assessment of the Company’s financial position and by leading implementation of an efficient internal controls system, financial processes and procedures that are responsive to the needs of customers, suppliers and internal partners. I was leading a team 15 accounts professionals.

Achievements

1. With proper controls and planning company decrease the financial expenses by 50%
2. By having better control over the cost GP increase by 15%
3. Reduced the expenses by 13% by having better control over expenses

Dawani group holding BSC (C), Bahrain, July 2008 – July 2011

FMCG Company known by “Dana” brand in Middle East

Financial Controller,

I am directly reporting to managing director and chairman in day to day operation of the group of companies. My job responsibilities includes looking after the operations of seven companies comprises of property renting, property purchase and sales, construction, manufacturing and trading of FMC goods and garments retail shops.

 Consummately assist Managing Director and Chairman in consolidation and conclusion of critical apprehensions as well as in developing short and long-term goals and objectives. I was leading a team of 11 accounts professionals.

Achievements

1. With proper controls and planning company net profit was increased by 85%
2. Successful implementation of new ERP software (IScala ranked world second best ERP)
3. Reduce the production variances below 2%
4. Reduce the inventory variances below 2%

Manama Textile mills wll, Bahrain, April 2003 – July2008

Textile Manufacturing Factories producing denim and grey fabric

Financial Controller,

1. I am independently handling accounts department of vertical textile factories comprises of one spinning, two weaving and a denim setup. 
2. Achievements
3. Developed production based daily and weekly inflow statement and done contract costing before signing of new sale contracts

Ascot Drummond pakistan (pvt) ltd, Lahore, Pakistan, 2000-2003                                                                                                     

UK based company providing online accountancy services

Manager Accounts,

Established and developed accounting systems, controls, Desktop applications, Desktop tools and web based applications in co-ordination with Director Accounts and developed team for new business of online accountancy services.

1. Achievements
2. Co-ordinate with software development team for development of new web based applications, desktop applications and other useful desktop tools. Due to my suggested developments company had saved approximately £0.38 Million per annum
3. Prepared training manuals and give training to new accountants for TAS Business Controller TAS, Payroll Manager, Sage Line 50, Microsoft Excel
4. Developed excel workbooks with the help of VBA for preparation of financial statements and related reconciliations
5. Consecutive winner of in house competition for quality work produced among four teams for two months. (Assessment done by a committee of top management on the basis of customer delight, discipline, punctuality, quality of work, tax and accountancy proficiency tests.)

Nagina Group, Lahore, Pakistan, 1996-1999                                   

A group of 11 Textile, Power Generation, Leasing and trading companies

1. Manager (Group Sales Tax - VAT)
2. Reviewing and submission of group general sales tax (VAT) returns on monthly basis and represent Group in Collectorate of General Sales Tax, Government of Pakistan. Handle all day to day cases of sales tax and develop internal company policies and procedures for sales tax recording and documents handling.

M. Yousuf adil & company, Lahore, Pakistan, 1991-1996                                                

A Chartered Accountancy firm affiliated with HLB International 

Trainee

Completed 4 years article ship as a registered trainee student and prior to this done a 1-year training as unregistered trainee. During my stay with this company I have completed the following tasks

1. Supervise the Audits of Textile and Co-operative Housing Societies 
2. Supervise Prudential Loan Classification Audit of Muslim Commercial Bank of Pakistan
3. Prepared Loans Restructuring Proposals of Textile Weaving and Spinning Mills like Prosperity Weaving Mills Ltd, Ijaz Spinning Mills Ltd etc.

MBA, 2001: AmericanInternational University, Lahore, Pakistan

Chartered Accountancy, 1996: Yousuf Adil Saleem & Co, Lahore, Pakistan

Bachelor of Commerce, 1992: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

Certificate courses in COBOL & BASIC Computer Languages, 1987: Cometo Computer College

AAT (foundation), Institute of Accounting Technicians, Lahore, Pakistan