Sohail Syed Raza Zaidi
Fellow Chartered Accountant
Summary
A result driven and detailed oriented Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Board member with over two decades of experience and proven skills in strategic planning, decision making, financial management, financial reporting, mergers & acquisitions, treasury management, corporate finance, taxation and audit. Expert in analyzing complex financial and non-financial data and providing insightful recommendations and leading cross functional teams. Demonstrated expertise in optimizing process efficiencies leading to saving costs and driving profitability. A big four trained chartered accountant with ability to communicate and build strong relationships with stakeholders. Committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, integrity and transparency.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer | Director
Saakh Pharma (Private) Limited
Karachi
11.2014 - Current
- Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance, and revenue targets with topline of PKR 4.5 billion in FY23.
- Analyzed operational issues and implemented corrective action to maximize profits through cost reduction over PKR 200 million during FY23.
- Directed budget development, creation of budgetary controls and recordkeeping systems and investment management.
- Oversaw payroll, and accounts payable and receivable and performing variance and performance analysis and reporting exceptions to the Board members.
- Negotiated and finalized competitive credit deals amounting to PKR 1.8 billion (funded and non-funded) effective rates with banks and financial institutions.
- Analyzed operational issues and implemented corrective action to maximize profits and making the company product, energy and assets efficient.
- Demonstrated professional skills to identify, analyze, resolve and report business and professional issues and advising Board members and sponsors on the same.
- Conducted detailed analysis of company financial information and oversaw preparation of related reports.
- Prepared accurate financial statements at end of quarter to summarize financial health and business performance.
- Effectively managed treasury operations of the Company enabling to save over PKR 150 million through working capital management.
- Introduced software tools and process improvements to mitigate loss and drive operational growth.
Chief Financial Officer
Burj Capital
Karachi
09.2013 - 10.2014
- Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance, and revenue targets.
- Prepared accurate financial statements at end of month to summarize financial health and business performance.
- Conducted detailed analysis of company quarterly financial information and oversaw preparation of related reports.
- Directed budget development, creation of budgetary controls and recordkeeping systems and investment management.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with board members, investors, auditors and regulatory authorities.
- Led the financial audits, ensuring compliance with applicable IFRS and accurate financial reporting.
- Participated in the negotiation and structuring of financing agreements including finalizing of USD 100 million facility from Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
- Played key role in private equity and corporate finance team of Burj Capital for successfully, establishing two greenfield and acquiring a brownfield alternate power projects and marketing those projects to investors.
Finance Director
Eden Housing Limited
Lahore
07.2011 - 08.2013
- Established and enforced controls on revenue and expenses to protect company assets.
- Managed day-to-day operations within 7-person finance department for real estate organization.
- Successful financial restructuring of Eden Housing Limited and maintaining clean credit reports and timely repayment of Long outstanding soared loans of Eden Housing Limited.
- Redesigned the financial operations of the company, resulted in reduced financial costs, improved efficiency and profitability.
- Implemented project management forecasting methods and tools
- Forecasted trends and recommended improvements based on financial risk analyses.
Chief Financial Officer
Burj Capital
Karachi
01.2010 - 06.2011
- Conducted detailed analysis of company financial information and oversaw preparation of related reports.
- Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance, and revenue targets.
- Oversaw budgets, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable.
- Prepared accurate financial statements at end of quarter to summarize financial health and business performance.
- Successfully acquired registrations and licenses for, newly established financial services company and a corporate brokerage house, from different regulators including the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (Guarantee) Ltd., the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Ltd. and the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Ltd.
Assistant Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited
Karachi
02.2007 - 12.2009
- Facilitated creation of governance policy for adoption by board of directors and committee chairperson.
- Reviewed, identified, updated and prioritized strategic initiatives to provide comprehensive support to senior leadership.
- Led the Legal and compliance team for onboarding Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited for the subscription of 22.020 million right shares worth PKR 10.46 billion, Privately Placed Term Finance Certificates worth PKR 1.250 billion and IPO of Listed convertible, redeemable preference shares worth PKR 700 million and conversion thereof into ordinary shares
Chief Internal Auditor
Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited
Karachi
07.2005 - 02.2007
- Carried out the role of secretary of audit committee.
- Developed flexible annual audit plans, using appropriate risk-based methodology- including risk and internal concerns identified by internal audit for review and approval of audit committee.
- Cooperated with senior leaders to create operating budgets and initiate financial planning.
- Submitted internal audit reports to the Audit Committee in accordance with the annual audit plan.
Head of Credit Administration
International Housing Finance Limited
Karachi
09.2003 - 06.2005
Assistant Manager - Finance & Accounts
Balochistan Glass Limited
Karachi
12.2002 - 08.2003
Audit and Assurance Senior
KPMG Pakistan
Karachi
10.1998 - 09.2002
Education
Associate Chartered Accountant -
ICAEW
London, United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Fellow Chartered Accountant -
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Karachi, Pakistan 04.2001 -
Skills
Strategic planning
Mergers & Acquisition
Financial Management
Business planning
Negotiation
Business Development
Financial administration
Staff Management
Budgeting & Forecasting
Financial Reporting
Internal Controls
Loans & Restructuring
Leadership
Initial Public Offer
Fund Raising
Operational efficiencies
Corporate & Interpersonal Communication
Investors & stakeholders relations
Financial Planning & Analysis
Business Partnering
Treasury Management
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer | Director
Saakh Pharma (Private) Limited
11.2014 - Current
Chief Financial Officer
Burj Capital
09.2013 - 10.2014
Finance Director
Eden Housing Limited
07.2011 - 08.2013
Chief Financial Officer
Burj Capital
01.2010 - 06.2011
Assistant Vice President - Corporate Affairs
Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited
02.2007 - 12.2009
Chief Internal Auditor
Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited
07.2005 - 02.2007
Head of Credit Administration
International Housing Finance Limited
09.2003 - 06.2005
Assistant Manager - Finance & Accounts
Balochistan Glass Limited
12.2002 - 08.2003
Associate Chartered Accountant -
ICAEW
04.2001 -
Fellow Chartered Accountant -
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
04.2001 -
Audit and Assurance Senior
KPMG Pakistan
10.1998 - 09.2002