Sohail Abbasi
Finance Management Specialist
Islamabad
Summary
Finance and operations professional with 15+ years of progressive experience in financial assurance, reconciliations, budgeting, audits, and program operations in large-scale public sector and corporate environments. Proven track record in managing multi-billion-rupee fund flows, ensuring compliance with regulations, and strengthening internal controls. Experienced in developing reporting systems, dashboards, and audit mechanisms for beneficiary payments in one of South Asia’s largest social safety nets – BISP.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director – Financial Assurance
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
08.2021 - Current
- Lead member of committees reconciling fund disbursements to over 9 million beneficiaries through Pakistan Post and partner banks.
- Team Lead of financial and reconciliation matters with Government-to-Government and Government-to-Private Sector stakeholders.
- Acted as liaison between partner banks and BISP to resolve operational, treasury, and compliance matters.
- Provided advisory input in developing payment parameters for transparent and efficient disbursements.
- Designed and advised on real-time dashboards for beneficiary payments, deposits, and bank reconciliations, enabling stronger monitoring and decision-making.
- Conducted pre-audit of payments and service charges to ensure compliance with approved parameters, SOPs, and regulations.
- Assigned to special tasks related to Federal Treasury and inter-governmental financial matters.
- Served as core member of committees for drafting contracts with financial institutions and chartered accountant firms.
- Prepared budgets, financial statements, and donor reporting aligned with national and international standards.
- Member and signatory of Employees’ Contributory Provident Fund Investment Committee, safeguarding staff welfare funds.
- Conducted internal audits, financial assurance reviews, and variance analysis, reducing reconciliation backlogs and improving compliance.
Assistant (Accounts / Admin / Operations)
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Managed accounts, payroll, and expenditure tracking for field and headquarters operations.
- Oversaw petty cash, procurement documentation, and vendor payments.
- Supported HR and administrative functions, including employee records and leave management.
- Coordinated operational activities during beneficiary payment cycles across field offices.
- Prepared audit responses, management reports, and compliance documentation.
- Trained junior staff in record-keeping, accounts maintenance, and workflow management.
Accounts Assistant (BPS-14)
Ministry of Education – National Education Foundation, Islamabad
08.2010 - 11.2011
- Verified and reconciled salaries of provincial and district staff.
- Evaluated and processed increments of Basic Pay Scales.
- Maintained cash books and vouchers.
- Reconciled accounts with banks and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR).
- Maintained computerized Provident Fund contribution records, distributed profits, and evaluated investment opportunities.
Senior Branch Accountant
Janan Trading Company (Distributor of PepsiCo Intl. Snacks Division – Lays)
05.2008 - 09.2010
- Managed accounting and bookkeeping, daily/monthly expenditures, and petty cash operations.
- Reconciled daily sales and inventory with distributors, ensuring zero variance.
- Prepared and submitted monthly financial reports to PepsiCo Head Office.
- Supervised payroll processing and HR functions including employee attendance and records.
- Served as acting manager in employer’s absence, ensuring business continuity and compliance.
Education
MBA – Master of Business Administration -
University of Lahore
01-2017
B.Com - IT
University of The Punjab
01-2008
Intermediate - Commerce
FBISE
01-2006
Matriculation - Sciences
FBISE
01-2003
Skills
Proficient in financial transaction assurance and reconciliation
Accomplishments
- Contributed to the financial assurance of one of South Asia’s largest social safety nets (BISP), ensuring transparent management of funds disbursed to millions of beneficiaries.
- Successfully reconciled legacy disbursement data (2008–2020), closing long-standing audit observations.
- Reduced reconciliation delays through the introduction of structured reporting templates and dashboards.
- Strengthened liaison mechanisms with partner banks, improving turnaround times and regulatory compliance.
- Contributed to the safeguarding and transparent investment of employee provident funds.
- At PepsiCo Distributor, ensured full compliance with reporting requirements, avoiding financial penalties.
Timeline
Assistant Director – Financial Assurance
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
08.2021 - Current
Assistant (Accounts / Admin / Operations)
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
01.2011 - 01.2021
Accounts Assistant (BPS-14)
Ministry of Education – National Education Foundation, Islamabad
08.2010 - 11.2011
Senior Branch Accountant
Janan Trading Company (Distributor of PepsiCo Intl. Snacks Division – Lays)
05.2008 - 09.2010
MBA – Master of Business Administration -
University of Lahore
B.Com - IT
University of The Punjab
Intermediate - Commerce
FBISE
Matriculation - Sciences
FBISE