Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Personal Information
Timeline
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FAROOQ MOHAMMAD

FAROOQ MOHAMMAD

Alula

Summary

As a dedicated Assistant Director of Finance, I bring 14 years of specialized experience in steering the financial helm of hospitality operations. My expertise lies in meticulously optimizing revenue and minimizing expenses, all while crafting strategic financial blueprints to bolster profitability. My proficiency extends to thorough financial analysis, precise budgeting, and insightful forecasting, ensuring robust internal controls are in place.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
4019
4019
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Financial controller

Dar Tantora The House Hotel (Pre-Opening)
Alula, Saudi Arabia
08.2024 - Current
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
  • Analyze financial performance and variances.
  • Present financial reports to management and ownership.
  • Lead the annual budgeting process.
  • Develop financial forecasts and rolling budgets.
  • Work closely with department heads to ensure budget compliance.
  • Oversee general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal financial regulations.
  • Maintain accurate financial records and ensure proper documentation.
  • Establish and monitor internal financial controls.
  • Coordinate with internal and external auditors.
  • Monitor and manage the hotel’s cash flow and liquidity.
  • Approve expenditures and manage banking relationships.
  • Optimize working capital and investment decisions.
  • Prevent fraud and financial mismanagement.
  • Monitor and analyze costs (F&B, rooms, labor, utilities, etc.).
  • Work with department heads to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Implement strategies to improve profitability.
  • Supervise accounting and finance staff.
  • Provide financial insight to support business decisions.
  • Evaluate capital investment projects (e.g., renovations, new tech).
  • Assist in pricing strategy and revenue management.
  • Train team members in financial procedures and compliance.
  • Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Chief Accountant/Assistant DOF

ANANTARA EASTERN MANGROVES
Abu Dhabi
11.2021 - 05.2025
  • Direct supervision of financial staff throughout monthly financial report generation and analysis processes.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Finance on budget, forecast, and cash flow report compilation.
  • Spearhead the creation of specialized statistical reports for management needs.
  • Manage accounting team responsibilities, ensuring adherence to financial protocols and legal standards.
  • Act as the Director of Finance's deputy, fully versed in their role for seamless operational continuity.
  • Resolve accounting office issues, escalating only those requiring the Director's attention.
  • Organize and distribute accounting tasks fairly, promoting job rotation for skill diversification.
  • Enforce company policies and regulations, ensuring staff compliance and understanding.
  • Oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluations of accounting personnel, focusing on team efficiency and individual growth.
  • Support Department Heads with month-end P&L, forecasts, and annual budget preparations.
  • Advise on cost control measures and maintain communication with auditors and local authorities.
  • Conduct financial training for Mid-Management to elevate overall financial acumen.
  • Act as a financial coach for both Finance and non-Finance Managers, optimizing operational performance and financial targets.
  • Lead annual budgeting and monthly forecasting, advising management on strategic economic policies.
  • Supervise inventory management for Food & Beverage and General supplies, maintaining optimal stock levels.
  • Coordinate with Supply Chain & Logistics to ensure timely procurement and inventory management.
  • Provide administrative support focusing on legal, contractual, and insurance aspects of operations.
  • Oversee daily Stores and Goods Receiving operations, ensuring efficient processes.
  • Manage Fixed Asset systems, including recording, classification, and tracking, plus monthly reporting on asset additions and depreciation.
  • Address ad hoc requests as needed, demonstrating flexibility and problem-solving skills.

Acting Financial Controller

TILAL LIWA HOTEL
Abu Dhabi
05.2021 - 10.2021
  • Spearhead the Finance and Accounting department, guaranteeing the precision and punctuality of financial and management reports.
  • Uphold meticulous bookkeeping and accounting records that accurately reflect the hotel's financial activities and asset management.
  • Craft and uphold annual financial statements adhering to International Financial Reporting Standards and local regulations.
  • Fulfill all statutory obligations for legal entities and ensure adherence to the Uniform System of Accounting for the lodging industry and hotel management agreement terms.
  • Implement robust cash management protocols, forecast monthly cash flows, and propose strategic financial actions.
  • Conduct monthly balance sheet reconciliations, promptly addressing and rectifying any discrepancies.
  • Perform comprehensive operational analyses with stakeholders to enhance performance, achieve financial goals, and conduct variance, profit margin, and payroll cost analyses.
  • Lead the development of annual budgets and monthly forecasts, advising on significant economic strategies and objectives.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders on capital expenditure projects, ensuring thorough accounting, return on investment analyses, and post-investment evaluations.
  • Provide monthly financial performance reports and maintain a communicative link between regional, corporate, and asset management entities.
  • Act as a strategic business advisor and risk manager in partnership with the General Manager and Executive committee.
  • Maintain regular communication with third parties, including public and external auditors, and local authorities.
  • Deliver financial acumen training to enhance the Management Team's fiscal competencies and act as a mentor to Finance and non-Finance Managers.
  • Develop and promote individual growth plans for finance team members, focusing on their career advancement.
  • Ensure strict compliance with company finance directives, delegation of authority, and all legal, tax, and regulatory mandates.
  • Coordinate with Internal Audit to uphold governance and mitigate risks and fraud, adhering to the company's code of conduct.
  • Monitor legal matters involving the property, reporting to the owner and corporate office, and liaise with external auditors to address their findings and recommendations.
  • Review and certify the hotel's financial reporting before distribution, ensuring accuracy and integrity.

Chief Accountant/Assistant Financial Controller

TILAL LIWA HOTEL
Abu Dhabi
11.2014 - 04.2021
  • Spearheaded accounting projects, ensuring alignment with assigned tasks and meticulous execution.
  • Conducted thorough audits of Accounting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all property areas.
  • Adhered to federal and state regulations concerning fraud prevention and collection practices.
  • Delivered precise and prompt financial reports and presentations, enhancing decision-making processes.
  • Employed analytical skills to identify optimal solutions and address complex problems effectively.
  • Managed comprehensive data verification, including compilation, coding, and auditing, to ensure accuracy.
  • Maintained and reconciled credit card ledger balances with high precision.
  • Assessed creditworthiness through diligent contract verification and credit reference checks for billing groups.
  • Surpassed financial and performance objectives, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and goal achievement.
  • Formulated strategic plans to efficiently organize tasks and meet critical deadlines.
  • Guaranteed the integrity of financial reporting, contributing to punctual and accurate submissions.
  • Vigilantly monitored profits and losses, ensuring meticulous documentation and financial transparency.
  • Oversaw tax compliance, including timely collection and accrual, to uphold fiscal responsibility.
  • Fortified the accounting control environment, safeguarding company assets through robust operational controls.
  • Executed period-end financial procedures with precision, maintaining fiscal order and consistency.
  • Provided expert guidance on accounting and budgeting policies, optimizing financial resource management across the organization.
  • Showcased in-depth knowledge of industry-relevant issues, products, systems, and processes.
  • Demonstrated expertise in handling returned checks, Gross Revenue Reports, write-off, and consolidated deposit procedures.
  • Stayed abreast of technological advancements, applying cutting-edge knowledge to enhance job performance.
  • Leveraged computer systems and software to streamline data entry, programming, and information processing.
  • Applied critical judgment to ensure compliance with legal standards and regulatory requirements.

Chief Accountant

DV MANOR HOTEL
06.2010 - 05.2014
  • Expertly assist the Financial Controller in preparing comprehensive reports across various frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc), guaranteeing accuracy and adherence to the actual financial activities.
  • Diligently ensure all financial reporting is completed within deadlines mandated by Statutory Bodies, Owning Company, and Brand Manager.
  • Conduct unannounced audits on General Cashier and Outlet Cashiers' floats to maintain financial integrity.
  • Perform surprise stock-count inspections, complementing the monthly assessments by the Cost Controller.
  • Facilitate groundwork for statutory audits and tax filings, providing robust support during internal and external audit reviews.
  • Manage tax and government reporting with precision, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
  • Collaborate with the Financial Controller in crafting annual budgets and monthly forecasts, ensuring financial projections are accurate and actionable.
  • Oversee the accurate recording and banking of all revenue and receipt transactions.
  • Review and verify financial summaries and reports generated by the Revenue Auditor and Night Auditor, including the Daily Hotel Revenue Report.
  • Supervise the Accounts Payable section, ensuring payments are timely, well-documented, and authorized; maintain oversight of financial records and reports.
  • Lead the Payroll section, verifying the accuracy of payroll processing, authorization, and reconciliation, and ensuring employee data is correctly captured.
  • Handle statutory employer tax returns, and lease and sub-lease agreements, ensuring billing and collections are conducted efficiently and discrepancies are addressed promptly.
  • Monitor monthly capital expenditure reports, reporting any policy deviations to the Financial Controller and ensuring compliance with reporting schedules.

Education

Ph.D. - Finance And Accounting

NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY
INDIA
01.2008

MBA - Finance and Accounting

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY
INDIA

Skills

  • FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  • BUDGETING AND FORECASTING
  • FINANCIAL REPORTING
  • RISK MANAGEMENT
  • STRATEGIC PLANNING
  • COST MANAGEMENT
  • TEAM LEADERSHIP
  • PROBLEM-SOLVING
  • ADAPTABILITY

Languages

English
Arabic
Hindi

Personal Information

Title: Financial Controller

Timeline

Financial controller

Dar Tantora The House Hotel (Pre-Opening)
08.2024 - Current

Chief Accountant/Assistant DOF

ANANTARA EASTERN MANGROVES
11.2021 - 05.2025

Acting Financial Controller

TILAL LIWA HOTEL
05.2021 - 10.2021

Chief Accountant/Assistant Financial Controller

TILAL LIWA HOTEL
11.2014 - 04.2021

Chief Accountant

DV MANOR HOTEL
06.2010 - 05.2014

Ph.D. - Finance And Accounting

NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY

MBA - Finance and Accounting

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

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FAROOQ MOHAMMAD