Irshad Akbar
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Accomplished professional specializing in ERP platforms, including S4-HANA, SAP ECC, and Fiori Apps. Expertise in financial with Power BI and automation tools such as VIM and SAP Fieldglass. Advanced skills in MS Excel, Access, and fiscal management software enhance efficiency and drive innovation in financial operations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
4028
4028
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Section Head, Accounts Payable
National Industrialization Company (Tasnee)
Riyadh, KSA
2014.08 - 2026.02
- Financial Control & Management Reporting: Proven ability to design and oversee robust financial control frameworks, ensuring compliance and transparency in all financial operations.
- Finance Process Automation: Expert in streamlining workflows, reducing manual intervention, and automating routine financial tasks for increased productivity.
- ERP Systems Implementation: In-depth experience with S4-Hana, Fiori Apps, SAP ECC, including system configuration, integration, and end-user training.
- Regulatory Compliance: Deep knowledge of GAAP, IFRS, COSO standards, and local tax regulations, ensuring all financial practices meet statutory requirements.
- Data Analysis & Financial Modelling: Skilled in constructing financial models and conducting data analysis using modern tools such as Tableau and Power BI to inform strategic decisions.
- Change Management & Training: Experienced in leading change initiatives and serving as internal trainers to upskill teams and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Core activities under supervision:
- PO VIM Validation
- NON-PO VIM Validation
- VIM Exceptions
- I2P Helpdesk
- Vendor Master Data Update
- Vendor portal
- Vendor Reconciliations
- Vendor Advance clearing and follow-up with Procurement
- Employees travel
- Petty Cash / Scrap
- Master Card clearing
- Board allowances
- ICR Reconciliation
- Review, analyze and perform cleansing in GRIR Account
- GR/IR clearing (posting big ticket items during month end closing)
- Payment Run – 96% On-time Payment KPI achieved
- IT Related issues and enhancements
- Reporting and Governance
- Month End closing
Assistant Accountant – Payable
National Industrialization Company (Tasnee)
Jubail, KSA
2010.03 - 2014.08
- Processed vendor invoices to ensure timely payments.
- Conducted follow-ups for GRN and SES confirmations, improving accuracy.
- Managed petty cash transactions in compliance with financial regulations.
- Performed vendor reconciliations to maintain precise financial records.
- Trained new employees on accounting concepts to enhance team capabilities.
- Collaborated with auditing team during annual audits to facilitate transparency.
- Ensured timely bank reconciliations to support accurate financial reporting.
- Reduced discrepancies through monthly reconciliation of bank and company records.
Accountant
Peak Automobile Company
Kashmir
2009.06 - 2010.12
- Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into payroll system.
- Compute taxes owed and prepared tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
- Establish and keep relationships with individual or business customers or aid with problems these customers may meet.
- Monitor regulatory or tax law changes to ensure fund compliance or to capitalize on development opportunities.
- Perform personal bookkeeping services.
- Preparing and reconciling Monthly Accruals
- Review and confirm invoices and Journal Entries
- Preparing goods receipt report and following up with concerned department to close balances.
- Track material and service delivery with vendors and concerned end user department.
- Preparing goods receipt report and following up with concerned department to close balance internal or external.
- Monitoring WBS / Internal order status on monthly basis and communicating with concerned department for closure.
- Resolution of audits observations
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Finance
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Skills
- ERP Platforms: SAP S4Hana SAP ECC, Fiori Apps, Financials
- Financial Modelling Tools: Power BI
- Automation & Workflow Platforms: VIM (Vendor Invoice Management), SAP Fieldglass
- Other Tools: MS Excel, Access, and like variety of financial and process management software
- In-depth SAP knowledge
- In-depth S4-HANA knowledge
Websites
Certification
- IFRS for Successful Finance Managers
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Mid-Management Development Program
- Financial Forecasting and Modeling
- Internal Trainer Program - Leadership Platform
Languages
English: Advanced
Arabic: Intermediate
Hindi: Fluent
Kashmiri: Native
Projects
Firsthand leadership and ability have been instrumental in the successful implementation of several high-impact projects at Tasnee, particularly within the Finance Shared Services function. As the lead power user, I have provided project management, technical know-how, and cross-functional coordination to ensure timely and successful rollouts., BCM Banking Communication Management: Oversaw the end-to-end deployment of BCM solutions, enabling seamless integration of banking services with ERP platforms and automating payment communications for improved efficiency and reduced error rates., Freight Automation – Outbound Logistics: Led the automation of outbound freight management, from invoicing to logistics tracking, resulting in faster turnaround times and greater accuracy in logistics cost allocation., VIM (Vendor Invoice Management): Implemented SAP's VIM solution, digitizing and automating the vendor invoice lifecycle, which led to reduced processing times, increased transparency, and improved vendor relationships., Inbound Logistics Automation: Directed the automation of inbound logistics processes, optimizing the receipt and handling of goods, reducing bottlenecks, and ensuring accurate inventory and cost accounting., Automated Workflow Processes: Streamlined multiple workflow processes across finance, reducing manual intervention and boosting overall throughput, accuracy, and employee satisfaction., Internal Trainer: Acted as an internal change agent and trainer, equipping finance and operations teams with the skills to adapt to new technologies and processes, thereby ensuring sustainable adoption and continuous process improvement., SAP Fieldglass – Contingent Workforce Management: Deployed SAP Fieldglass to manage contingent workforce contracts and payments, ensuring compliance, transparency, and cost control for temporary staffing.
Accomplishments
- Implemented Cost Allocation Strategies: Designed and rolled out innovative cost allocation mechanisms, achieving a 30% reduction in financial reporting time while simultaneously improving data accuracy and reliability.
- Process Streamlining & Cost Savings: Overhauled existing financial workflows, resulting in annual savings of 500,000 SAR and reclaiming over 9,000 person-hours by reducing manual effort and minimizing process redundancies. These improvements were scaled across other departments to maximize organizational impact.
- ERP & Automation Projects: Successfully led the implementation of innovative finance automation projects that streamlined core business processes and elevated the organization's operational agility.
- Ensured Regulatory Compliance: Kept rigorous adherence to international and local regulations, fostering a compliance-driven culture and mitigating risks associated with non-compliance.
- Advanced Analytics Adoption: Championed the adoption of Tableau and Power BI for comprehensive data visualization, enabling real-time analysis and actionable insights for management decision-making.
Committees & Leadership
- Local Content Committee Member
- Building on this foundation, I also serve as the Finance Team Leader for the local content committee. In this capacity, I oversee financial planning, budgeting, and compliance for initiatives aimed at strengthening local content development. By implementing rigorous financial controls and fostering transparent stakeholder communications, I ensure that committee goals align with both regulatory requirements and organizational strategy. Drawing on a wealth of experience in financial automation and shared services, I provide leadership that champions efficiency, innovation, and sustainable impact within the local content landscape.
Finance Digitization & Automation
- Lead Power User of Finance for Digitalization
- Successful implementation of Robotic Process Automation's (RPA)
- Vendor Balance confirmation and reconciliations
- Vendor Enquiries helpdesk
- Open GRN/SES reporting
- Clean Payment Run
- On-time Payment KPI
Steering Committee Member
Internal Process Improvements and alignment with cross functions
ESG & Sustainability Team Lead
Reinforce the accuracy and integrity of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability disclosures, strengthening our dedication to ESG and Sustainability excellence.
Leadership & Change Management
Recognized for an inclusive leadership style, prioritizing collaboration and continuous improvement. As both a project leader and an internal trainer, I have facilitated the professional development of teams, orchestrated knowledge transfer sessions, and built strong relationships between IT, operations, and finance units. I have the ability to communicate complex technical concepts in clear and actionable terms and have been instrumental in driving buy-in for new initiatives. By fostering a culture that embraces innovation and accountability, I have enabled teams to navigate change with confidence and agility.
Analytical Mindset & Strategic Impact
Using advanced data analytics tools like Tableau and Power BI, I deliver prompt and exact financial reporting, empowering stakeholders with clear insights. This analytical approach is complemented by a strategic mindset, predicting financial trends and positioning the organization for sustainable growth and profitability.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, I look forward to using my experience and technical acumen to further drive continuous improvement, enhance financial performance, and contribute to the overall success of any organization. With a passion for innovation and a proven record of results, I aim to remain at the forefront of finance automation and shared services transformation.
Regulatory & Compliance Focus
A cornerstone of my approach to fiscal management is strict adherence to regulatory frameworks, including GAAP, IFRS, COSO, and local tax laws. I ensure compliance is embedded in every process, proactively addressing regulatory updates and conducting regular audits and controls to mitigate risk.
Timeline
Section Head, Accounts Payable - National Industrialization Company (Tasnee)
2014.08 - 2026.02
Assistant Accountant – Payable - National Industrialization Company (Tasnee)
2010.03 - 2014.08
Accountant - Peak Automobile Company
2009.06 - 2010.12
Manav Bharti University - Bachelor of Commerce, Finance
Jodhpur National University - Master of Business Administration, Finance