Muhammad Waqas
British National - Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Finance professional with specialization in financial modelling, strategic planning, and business operations. Proficient in SAP, TM1, and Microsoft Power BI, driving business transformation and system implementation. Managed SAR 1B OPEX and contributed to SAR 20B CAPEX planning for NEOM Health & Wellbeing, recognized for transforming financial models into strategic decision-making tools. Over thirteen years of experience across education, health, infrastructure, telecom, and distribution sectors in the Middle East and UK.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Finance Business Partner
NEOM
NEOM, Saudi Arabia
08.2023 - 11.2025
- Administered SAR 1 billion in annual OPEX and SAR 3 billion in CAPEX for health delivery assets.
- Secured net funding of SAR 43 billion through comprehensive financial modelling for health system design for overall project.
- Streamlined cost accounting procedures, achieving significant reductions in overall expenditure.
- Oversaw investment decisions to drive growth through rigorous financial oversight.
- Collaborated with Legal, Procurement, and Project Directors to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Managed supplier expenditure, accruals, and contract reconciliations to guarantee financial accuracy.
- Re-engineered funding and milestone-tracking models to enhance PIF reporting transparency.
- Supported development of over 20 CAPEX plans for Red Sea islands focused on human improvement.
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
British Telecommunications PLC
London, United Kingdom
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Achieved permanent FP&A Manager position within three months due to impactful contributions.
- Oversaw financial performance for £1.7 billion gross margin across seven million customers.
- Partnered with C-suite to optimise pricing and margin strategy amid cost-of-living challenges.
- Delivered strategic insights at board level, linking customer metrics to financial outcomes.
- Developed Power BI dashboards, improving plan variance accuracy from 1% to 0.4%.
- Created budgets and forecasts using complex financial models addressing acquisition and churn.
- Scrutinised inputs from sales and marketing teams, validating investment projects for long-term value.
Finance Partner – Cost Control & Transformation
McKesson UK
Coventry, United Kingdom
09.2019 - 08.2021
- Achieved over £5 million in annual savings by managing £180 million OPEX budgets.
- Collaborated with C-suite executives to optimise cost efficiency and reporting.
- Developed dashboards and cost-modelling tools to support executive decision-making.
- Reformed head office cost reporting, enhancing cross-division decision capabilities.
- Oversaw consolidation of payroll and overhead budget data from submission to finalisation.
- Led finance transformation initiatives, including SAP implementation and improved reporting processes.
Management Accountant
McKesson UK
Coventry, United Kingdom
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Oversaw financial reporting for wholesale division with revenue of £2.4 billion and ensured S-Ox compliance.
- Produced monthly P&L statements and performance packs for £1.5 billion division.
- Created stock provision dashboard to optimise inventory management and facilitate inter-branch transfers.
- Rationalised month-end interfaces, reducing reporting time by half day.
- Identified and invoiced historic supplier rebate of £160k annually, streamlining claim processes.
- Collaborated with sales managers on budget preparation and forecasting initiatives.
- Maintained audit readiness while ensuring S-Ox control compliance throughout financial operations.
- Supported external audits by providing comprehensive documentation and information.
Senior Commercial Accountant
CPM UK
Thame, United Kingdom
11.2016 - 12.2017
- Led financial performance reporting for one-quarter of company clients.
- Partnered with functional directors and client procurement teams to ensure precise cost budgeting.
- Fostered strategic partnership with Lucozade, developing cost-plus marketing campaign charges.
- Prepared management accounts and conducted client forecasting to propose actionable strategies.
- Calculated client WIP, achieving optimal working capital levels.
- Analysed variances to identify risks and opportunities, maintaining alignment with targets.
- Provided commercial support during bid processes and budget renewals for clients.
- Ensured effective SOX compliance controls, challenging treatment of amortized recruitment costs.
Trainee Accountant / Finance Analyst – Education
Oxford Brookes University and other institutions
Oxford, United Kingdom
08.2013 - 11.2016
- Executed monthly processes for precise preparation of annual statutory accounts.
- Managed departmental overhead budget, optimising income and resource allocation.
- Produced data-driven reports to guide decisions on £120m budget.
- Evaluated new product business models, analysing risk and return on investment.
- Delivered finance operations encompassing accruals, reconciliations, and cost analysis.
- Prepared year-end accounts while coordinating with external auditors for compliance.
- Facilitated implementation of financial systems through chart of accounts mapping and testing.
- Trained finance graduates across diverse areas during internship.
Education
FCCA - Chartered accountant (Fellow)
Brierley, Price, and Prior
UK 06.2015 - 03.2017
Accounting & Finance Advanced Diploma -
Oxford Cherwell College
UK 01.2012 - 08.2013
B.Sc. - Mathematics
Peshawar University
Pakistan 01.2001 - 12.2003
Skills
- Financial planning and analysis
- Cost management
- Project accounting
- Commercial finance
- Inventory management
- Strategic modelling
- Stakeholder engagement
- Business transformation
- System implementation
- IFRS compliance
- Coaching and mentoring
- Timely decision-making
- Team collaboration
- SAP and Oracle expertise
Certification
- Financial modelling Master (UAE, 2025)
- Creating high impact presentations (UK, 2022)
- Step into management (UK, 2020)
- Microsoft access (UK, 2018)
Interests
Financial markets, Economic policy, Health-sector innovation, Mentoring young professionals, Documentaries, Travel
Hall Warden
Pastoral & Community Leadership - Oxford Brookes University (2007-2017)
Lived-in leadership role supporting 1,600+ resident students annually at Clive Booth Hall. Provided pastoral guidance, community oversight, and disciplinary support while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.
Collaborated with university services and emergency responders on welfare, conduct, and crisis situations. Helped students navigate academic pressures, wellbeing challenges, and cultural transitions, developing strong people-management, mediation, and resilience skills.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Finance Business Partner
NEOM
08.2023 - 11.2025
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
British Telecommunications PLC
09.2021 - 08.2023
Finance Partner – Cost Control & Transformation
McKesson UK
09.2019 - 08.2021
Management Accountant
McKesson UK
12.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Commercial Accountant
CPM UK
11.2016 - 12.2017
FCCA - Chartered accountant (Fellow)
Brierley, Price, and Prior
06.2015 - 03.2017
Trainee Accountant / Finance Analyst – Education
Oxford Brookes University and other institutions
08.2013 - 11.2016
Accounting & Finance Advanced Diploma -
Oxford Cherwell College
01.2012 - 08.2013
B.Sc. - Mathematics
Peshawar University
01.2001 - 12.2003