M. Zafar Riaz

**** ***** ********, ** ( Edmonton, Alberta T6L 6P6 ( 780-***-**** (

ab2swm@r.postjobfree.com

Chief Financial Officer

Group Chief Financial Officer / Financial Controller / Head of Accounts &

Finance

Respected executive with extensive experience leading financial operations

for diverse enterprises, guiding mid- to large-size organizations toward

improved financial standing. Highly analytical with proven ability to

evaluate existing processes and implement changes to reduce expenses,

elevate performance, and strengthen bottom line. Natural leader and

negotiator with strong strategic planning skills. Adept in building and

sustaining a positive work environment, fostering team cohesion through

relationship management techniques. Excellent communication skills with

capacity to present critical financial data in clear format.

Technologically proficient. Core competencies include:

Budgeting & Cash Flow Profit & Loss (P&L) Management

Optimization Short- and Long-Term Planning

Cost Reduction & Avoidance Internal & Regulatory Compliance

Process & Control Audit Preparation & Readiness

Implementation MIS Development & Integration

Financial & Contract Inventory Analysis & Control

Negotiations Treasury Management

Financial Analysis & Reporting

Corporate Restructuring &

Planning

Financial Management & Control

Professional Experience

GROWING POWER HAIRY HILL, Edmonton, Alberta

GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (August 2011 - Present)

Excel as Group CFO for Integrated BioRefinery producing renewable energy

and ethanol. Drive development of financial operations, overseeing cash

flow, financial limits, and bank loans. Effectively manage tax, treasury,

accounting, and financial resource allocation. Handle equipment

negotiations and procurement. Collaborate with lawyers, auditors, and

corporate consultants to finalize business transactions; support

development of service contracts with providers. Interact with executive

engineer, architects, and construction consultants on new projects,

verifying compliance with regulatory authorities and obligatory

fulfillment. Manage three staff members-Plant Controller (CGA, FCCA),

Corporate Controller (CMA), and accountant.

. Architected project operations infrastructure, including budgeting,

administration, logistics, finance, accounting, and system functions.

. Built communication channel to instil confidence and manage

expectations of internal / external stakeholders in key financial

areas-growth, revenue, and profitability.

. Conceived, designed, and implemented systems and controls, e.g.,

developed Management Reporting System to ensure intelligent and timely

decision-making by users.

. Championed efforts leading to successful fund acquisition from varying

government and non-government institutions, overseeing compliance with

complex stipulations.

. Developed business model for investors and financial institutions for

project presentation; worked with leading investors group to present

project financials and marketing strategy to potential investors.

. Managed insurance programme from ground floor-assessed risks and

implemented risk control measures to mitigate risks against losses.

CULTURE UNITED LTD., Calgary, AB

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER (May 2010 - August 2011)

Performed financial / accounting leadership role, managing retail stores

across Alberta. Finalized annual and monthly P&L account, balance sheet,

and financial and cost statements. Oversaw complete budgetary process,

including preparing, justifying, analyzing, and operating under

organizational and Congressional procedures. Liaised with banks on loans

and credit limits. Analysed complex financial data, determining past

performance and project probability. Handled electronic payrolls. Finalized

and submitted GST, PST, WCB, and other regulatory reports. Enforced

internal controls. Gained knowledge in multi-currency accounting and

financial reporting. Directly supervised two accountants.

. Restructured reporting system and developed monthly reporting package,

ultimately delivering more timely and complete information to top-tier

decision makers.

. Drove cost-effective development and utilization of MIS and other

technological resources.

. Contributed to 15% reduction in financial costs based upon optimal use

of resources and improvement in cash flow due to increase in sales and

profitability.

. Increased sales 10% by enabling timely decisions on marketing

strategies and product pricing through analysis and presentation of

financial data, marketing research, economic factors, and business

trends.

SOLLYS BAGERLY LTD., Vancouver, BC

HEAD OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCE (March 2009 - May 2010)

Held leadership role in managing chain of restaurants located across

Vancouver, offering financial insight and daily direction. Finalized annual

and quarterly P&L account, balance sheet, manufacturing and related

accounts. Managed cash and fund flows, effectively evaluating to ensure

clarity in finalizing and presenting forecasts. Organized and oversaw

accounting record, general ledgers, and fixed assets record; supervised

processing of electronic payrolls and related functions. Handled A/R, A/P,

and submission of SRED claims-related data. Completed and submitted timely

remittances to government, as well as GST, PST, and WCB returns. Liaised

with banks, leasing companies, and financial institutions to advance

financial limits. Managed two direct reports consisting of bookkeeper and

accountant.

. Key player in executives' meeting of managers; delivered pivotal input

in formulating company goals, strategies, and policies.

. Cut materials waste 10% through implementation of controls over use of

raw materials and analysis reporting on major factors, such as yields

and cost vs. pricing.

. Established and assured internal controls for financial systems,

overseeing allocation of resources and recommending cost-effective

solutions.

. Integrated costing system, analyzing costing structure to determine

alignment between pricing of products, company objectives, and long-

term plans.

. Ensured 100% audit readiness, coordinating data requirements with

corporate lawyers and auditors.

ATLAS INSURANCE, LTD, Pakistan

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (March 2002 - October 2008)

Directed accounting and financial operations for one of the leading general

insurance companies in Pakistan, managing offices all across the country.

Prepared financial statements and presented to Board of Directors and Group

Executive / Audit Committees. Managed investments, cash flows, receivables,

payables, and placed funds to maximize ROI. Led annual planning efforts,

including business strategy, budgets, forecasts, and financial targets.

Analyzed surveyors' reports, validity of claims, and payments per

underwriting arrangements. Reviewed underwriting policies; predicted effect

on bottom-line and proposed recommendations to CEO. Assessed and submitted

recommendations on facultative, co-insurance, and treaty arrangements;

managed applicable financial records. Liaised with internal / external

auditors, verifying compliance of IFRS, IAS, and other national and

international laws and technical releases applicable to financial statement

preparation. Supervised nine accounting department staff members, including

manager, assistant manager, and company secretary. Served as Head of IT

Department with two staff members and IT Manager as direct reports.

. Elevated performance results across multiple segments by implementing

business plan and growth strategies; e.g., increased turnover (gross

premium) 4 times, investments and cash balances 4.4 times, motor

insurance business 7.5 times, investments 5 times, and profit 4 times

in five years.

. Reduced salary costs 20% by analyzing staffing requirements in

alignment with job assignments and proposing Voluntary Retirement

Scheme (VRS).

. Recognized for preparing and presenting one of the best five financial

statement presentation reports in financial sector of Pakistan for

2003, 2006, and 2007; selection made by Joint Committee of Institute

of Chartered Accountants and Institute of Cost Management &

Accountants of Pakistan.

. Awarded Certificate of Merit in 2006 and 2007 by the South Asian

Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for company Financial Statements.

. Optimized company operations through development and utilization of

operational manuals.

SYNTRONICS LTD, Pakistan

GENERAL MANAGER ~ FINANCE (August 2000 - March 2002)

Managed finances, including preparing financial, cost, and production

statements for one of the leading manufacturers of Polyurethane cement bags

in Pakistan. Handled budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis. Oversaw

$10M (CAD) investment portfolio. Analysed market trends; delivered market

reviews for price determinations based upon objectives and profit targets.

Managed A/R, fund flows, and finalized income tax, sales tax assessment.

Prepared letter of credits. Procured raw material.

. Captured 15% reduction in financial costs by analyzing company loan

limits and directing debt restricting from short-term to medium- and

long-term.

MASTER FOAM LIMITED, Pakistan

MANAGER ~ FINANCE (January 1994 - August 2000)

Headed financial operations for the largest foam-related products

manufacturer in Pakistan. Readied financial statements, costs accounts, and

production statements. Finalized budgets. Developed MIS, as well as short-

and long-term business plans. Determined investment strategy and placement.

Managed import letter of credits; negotiated procurement of raw materials

and inventories. Commanded seven staff members, including manager accounts,

manager purchases, assistant manager, and accountants.

. Created business plans to elevate efficiency and drive improvements

across multiple business units.

. Increased investment income three times over six years through

multiple strategies, including intelligent placement of funds,

improved utilization of cash, and close monitoring of financial

product economics, as well as more effective management of A/R and

other current assets.

. Reduced production waste 15% through process analysis and

enhancements; cut procurement cost 10% utilizing persuasive

negotiations tactics.

. Wrote operational manuals for company and implemented internal

controls to elevate production.

** *** **

Completed articleship with Ernst & Young Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder & Co.,

Chartered Accountants and an affiliated firm of Ernst & Young

International. Managed and conducted audits of national and multinational

concerns.

Education / Credentials

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF INSURANCE, United Kingdom (2007)

Certificate in Insurance

INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, Pakistan (1994)

Chartered Accountant

~ Technology Skills ~

Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, FoxPro, QuickBooks, Simply Accounting,

Accounting Edge

Additional and varied business-related software and industry-specific

programs

Contact this candidate