Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Ali Sarfraz

Ali Sarfraz

Hornchurch

Summary

Fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with 11 years post qualification industry experience with strong background of Tax, Accounting, Audit, Risk management, budgeting and forecasting. Innovative accounting professional proficient in extracting financial data from various reporting systems and suggesting key operational changes.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work history

Group GL Manager

NEOM
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
2024.10 - Current
  • IFRS 16 implementation and lease accounting across the NEOM region.
  • Implemented RE-FX tool to manage leases to ensure streamlined process.
  • Lead the Audit process and managed the PBC for the group.
  • Implemented group prepayment policy and managed the prepayments across the group on monthly basis.
  • Managed group borrowings under IFRS 9 for SACE loan facilities and implemented Treasury management system for monthly accounting.
  • Liaising with external banks for mark to market and incremental borrowing rates.
  • Preparation of monthly FS of different sectors and liaised with consolidation team to ensure accuracy.
  • Managed PPP camps across NEOM region and ensured correct booking of the liability against the guaranteed revenue agreement(s)
  • Coordinated cross-departmental collaboration for improved workflow.
  • Streamlined prepayments process by collaborating with AP.
  • Delegated tasks efficiently to maximise productivity.
  • Led performance reviews, identified areas for improvement.
  • Piloted change management initiatives successfully improving organisational adaptability.
  • Fostered a positive work environment with regular team-building activities.
  • Organised financial and operational data to help with yearly budgeting and planning.
  • Managed accruals for different sectors across NEOM.
  • Implemented innovative accounting systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Coordinated with auditing department to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
  • Supervised a team of finance professionals, cultivating a high-performance culture.
  • Led audit engagements, serving as primary point of contact for audit-related queries.
  • Introduced and managed IFRS technical accounting policies and best practices.
  • Produced management information and KPI measurement through conducting variance analysis.
  • Provided training on local and global policies, including ethics policy for culture of compliance.
  • Compiled general ledger entries on short schedule with 100% accuracy.
  • Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures.
  • Compiled financial data for business forecasting and budgeting.
  • Prepared detailed models, reports and charts highlighting complex financial information.
  • Liaised with auditors to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Led a high-performing finance team towards achieving key performance indicators consistently.
  • Applied advanced Excel skills to efficiently analyse large data sets.
  • Strengthened financial operations by streamlining accounting processes and systems.
  • Conducted regular variance analyses to identify potential areas of concern.
  • Liaised with auditors whilst maintaining transparent documentation practices.
  • Ensured accurate financial records through meticulous account reconciliation.
  • Participated in strategic planning sessions to provide financial insights and recommendations.
  • Reviewed and approved balance sheet reconciliations to ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Coordinated month-end close procedures for timely reporting.
  • Provided leadership to finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Calculated and posted month end journals in full compliance with IFRS regulations.
  • Monthly presentation to ED's and senior management on leases, loan facilities and prepayments.

Financial Reporting Manager

Berkeley Group PLC
Woolwich, Greenwich
2021.10 - 2024.10
  • Collaborated with business management to set and control annual budgets.
  • Supported audit process and liaised with external auditors on half year and full year queries
  • Prepared and developed monthly management packs, accounts and explaining variances to budget/forecast
  • Calculated and posted month end journals in full compliance with regulations.
  • Prepared monthly bank reconciliations with 100% accuracy.
  • Created quarterly and yearly balance sheets to track financial trends and performance.
  • Prepared VAT and income tax forms for commercial and individual clients.
  • Analyzed monthly balance sheet accounts for corporate reporting.
  • Updated journal entries and accounts on accrual basis for half year and full year
  • Cooperated with senior leaders to create operating budgets and initiate financial planning.
  • Prepared monthly board pack and liaised with the different departments within the business to ensure the relevant information is provided in time.
  • Maintaining Fixed Asset register to ensure balance sheet accuracy.
  • Approving and checking BACS run and ensuring purchase ledger accuracy.
  • Complete ownership of the cash process ensuring the money received is posted to the right plot.
  • Updating sales price forecast and reporting directors on the site status on weekly basis.
  • Preparing the monthly dashboard for board pack ensuring all sales aspects are reported accurately with the yearly budget and rolling forecast.
  • Meeting with external clients on insurance recharges and ensuring the invoices are paid on time.
  • Ensuring the commercial invoices are raised and sent on time and chased the payments to ensure sales ledger accuracy.
  • Prepared HY/FY audit schedules, collaborating with external auditing to verify compliance with all regulations.
  • Supervised 3-person accounting team.
  • Consolidated capital management, cash flow analysis, and reconciliations statements.
  • Prepared monthly variance reports for strategic budgeting and forecasting.
  • Introduced internal controls to monitor critical areas of financial control and devised corrective actions addressing risks and deficiencies.
  • Prepared external audit documentation and financial reports.
  • Oversaw all aspects of accounting and financial control operations.
  • Delivered training and development to junior finance employees for progression and best practice improvements.
  • Developed and administered annual budgets following periods of strong analysis and research.
  • Developed thorough forecasting and cash-flow management processes to maximise progression and profitability.
  • Maintained responsibility of credit control to achieve debtor day targets.
  • Managed timely and accurate reporting of various financial transactions and information for detailed analysis.
  • Identified finance team efficiencies and reduced reporting timelines.

Financial Reporting Manager

Berkeley Group PLC
Woolwich, Greenwich
2021.07 - 2021.10
  • Created and presented accurate, detailed financial forecasts.
  • Finalized VAT returns with rigorous transaction checks.
  • Coached and mentored junior staff to maximize finance department capabilities.
  • Harnessed data visualization to drive insights through management reporting.
  • Applied advanced Excel skills to efficiently analyze large data sets.
  • Accurate and timely completion of the management accounts
  • Ownership of sales and purchase ledger

Finance Business Partner

FM Conway Ltd
Sevenoaks, Kent
2019.05 - 2020.03
  • Manage end to end month end process for 5 divisions-collective turnover of £4m per month.
  • Divisions responsible for- Plant, Workshop, distribution, transport and mixers
  • Completing monthly forecast and explaining the difference
  • Managing full year MLO and raise any concerns with the board.
  • Presenting the monthly accounts to the board on monthly basis
  • Setting up budgets for new year and present them to the board
  • IFRS-16 implementation across the whole business
  • Liaising with external suppliers to negotiate the contract hire rates
  • Setting up KPI's for new division to measure performance
  • Fortnightly payroll sign off
  • Cost control measures-Risks and opportunities
  • Conducting meetings with key stakeholders and explaining the numbers
  • Implemented the new capex approval process
  • Rationalised the losses on disposals and advised on depreciation policy
  • Explained and emphasised on impairment review policy
  • Complete ownership of the GRNI process and cleared 75% in first 3 months
  • Calculating the fleet utilisation for fleet and comparing it against the budget and explaining the differences in monthly cost review.
  • Helped procurement team to update the fleet to meet the new ULEZ legislation
  • Preparing and presenting the dashboard for distribution to measure the KPI's against internal vs external fleet.
  • Proposed and implemented new plant hire rates within the business to recharge the other divisions.
  • Proposed and implemented new concrete rates to charge out.
  • Helped IT to prepare a dashboard to measure Plant performance

Finance Manager

Stansted Airport
Stansted
2018.01 - 2019.04
  • Calculating and posting depreciation
  • Maintaining Fixed asset register
  • Performed month end including payroll (Stansted and Group)
  • Balance sheet reconciliations
  • Prepare Divexec report for FD and senior management with commentary and narrative on variances
  • Forensic accountings in regards to invoices and goods received(historic).
  • Increase/decreased/transfer budgets on projects and project to project
  • Calculating monthly accruals on capex and post them to relevant GLs in SAP
  • Transferring cost from P&L to Balance sheet to reflect the cost of the project.
  • Liaise with FC and FBP(s) on day to day running of the business
  • Consolidated financial data and materials for key leadership meetings
  • Ran and analysed monthly capex reports for the executive team.
  • Identified and investigated variances to financial plans and forecasts by interpreting financial results.
  • Interpreting transactions for Finance business partners.

Finance Manager

Tesco Plc
London
2012.01 - 2017.05
  • Liaising with directors on group performance and discuss next steps and new recommendations.
  • Managed five direct reports on sales, waste, cash, shrink and News&Mags on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.
  • Business partnering with operation managers to ensure the KPI's and budgets are met with the business expectations.
  • Carried out store audits to identify the issues in regards to delivering KPIs', budgets.
  • Business partner with area managers to ensure specific store recommendations are adhered and the audit next steps are followed to ensure business process is right.
  • Responsible for the existing budget and quarterly re-forecast process delivering forecasts that are business led, commercial and accurate. To continually identify areas of improvement in both the forecasting and annual budget process
  • Store to store P&L analysis and quarterly review of the budgets to get stores in line with the forecasted profits.
  • Cost management by reducing shrink, payroll, waste and consumable budgets.
  • Provided timely actual, forecast and budget data for corporate management.
  • Managing £950k per week in terms of sales and preparing the sales forecast on periodic basis.
  • Managing £180k per week in terms of payroll and preparing payroll forecast on quarterly basis.
  • Worked with management at the project level to ensure expense plans are achieved.
  • End of week banking reconciliation.
  • Identified risks associated with projects, contract approvals and other financial issues.
  • Presented "what if" scenarios for budget assumptions and forecasting strategies.
  • Analysed budgets, financial reports and projections for accurate reporting of financial standing.
  • Created an analytical framework for identifying and developing financial growth opportunities in terms of sales and profitability.
  • Supported management through risk identification, control testing and process improvement procedures.
  • Reported internal control issues to management and supplied comprehensive recommendations to mitigate the associated risks.
  • Articulated audit findings, risks and detailed recommendations to upper management.(stock, shrink, waste).
  • Mapped current processes and offered recommendations for improvement.
  • Managing weekly financial KPI's , variance analysis and making recommendations with the store team.
  • Prepared and distributed payroll for direct reports.
  • Resolved employment-related disputes through proactive communication.
  • Handled under-staffing, disputes, terminating employees and administering disciplinary procedures.
  • Developed and enforced company policy and procedures relating to all phases of human resources activity.
  • Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new programme.
  • Weekly one to one discussions with store managers on KPI's and performance.
  • Launched and trained team on new payroll software.
  • Trained the teams across the area on new cash management and banking system.

Senior Accountant

MSB Accountants Ltd
Chancery Lane, london
2007.05 - 2012.01
  • Drafted and reviewed financial statement compilations before being approved by partners.
  • Performed complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Prepared accurate financial statements according to IFRS's
  • Worked with management at the project level to ensure expense plans are achieved.
  • Maintained fixed asset module and calculate and record monthly depreciation expense.
  • Prepared financial pages for presentation to senior management.
  • Filed tax returns and prepared governmental reports in compliance with strict standards.
  • Computed taxes owed by applying prescribed rates, laws and regulations.
  • Proactively researched technical tax issues related to consulting projects.
  • Gathered data for internal audits through interviews, financial research and downloads.
  • Generated invoices upon receipt of billing information and tracked collection progress.
  • Established a QuickBooks accounting system to reflect accurate financial records.
  • Established and maintained external communications calendar, and managed scheduled assignments.
  • Leveraged professional relationships to develop new business opportunities.
  • Assisted clients with personal and corporate tax issues.
  • Led monthly meetings with directors to analyse spending and provide financial recommendations.
  • Identified risks associated with projects, contract approvals and other client accounting issues.
  • Answered clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
  • Maintained friendly and professional client interactions at all times.
  • Explained employee compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions and promotion opportunities.
  • Addressed and resolved general payroll-related inquires.
  • Assisted management staff in annual year-end processes and data audits.
  • Created boardroom and courtroom multimedia presentations including video and text- sync’d depositions for enhanced understanding.

Exam Marker

Edexcel. Pearson Plc
Holborn, London
2007.04 - 2007.08
  • Marked GCSE exams 

Education

Graduate Diploma in Law - Law

University of Law
London
01.2023

Master of Science - Corporate Financial management

University of Law Business School
London
09.2020

Fellowship(FCCA) - Accountancy

Association of Chartered Certified Accountant
London
2016

Bachelor of Science - Applied Accounting

Oxford Brookes University
Oxford
2012

Qualified Accountant - Accountancy

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
London
2011

Skills

  • SAP
  • Oracle (Icon-Insight)
  • Freeway
  • IFRS
  • Financial reporting
  • Budget development
  • Individual tax returns
  • Tax accounting
  • Corporate tax planning
  • Cash flow analysis
  • Project management
  • Powerpoint presentation
  • GAAP and statutory reporting
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Financial and operational reporting
  • Change management
  • Time management
  • Employee coaching
  • Payroll administrator
  • Performance management systems
  • Conflict resolution
  • Staff training/development
  • Budgeting and finance
  • Team leadership
  • Risk management processes and analysis
  • Management accounting
  • Financial reporting and analysis
  • VAT returns
  • Budget forecasting
  • Human resources knowledge

Affiliations

  • Member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 

  • Fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Timeline

Group GL Manager

NEOM
2024.10 - Current

Financial Reporting Manager

Berkeley Group PLC
2021.10 - 2024.10

Financial Reporting Manager

Berkeley Group PLC
2021.07 - 2021.10

Finance Business Partner

FM Conway Ltd
2019.05 - 2020.03

Finance Manager

Stansted Airport
2018.01 - 2019.04

Finance Manager

Tesco Plc
2012.01 - 2017.05

Senior Accountant

MSB Accountants Ltd
2007.05 - 2012.01

Exam Marker

Edexcel. Pearson Plc
2007.04 - 2007.08

Bachelor of Science - Applied Accounting

Oxford Brookes University

Qualified Accountant - Accountancy

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Graduate Diploma in Law - Law

University of Law

Master of Science - Corporate Financial management

University of Law Business School

Fellowship(FCCA) - Accountancy

Association of Chartered Certified Accountant
Ali Sarfraz