Sashi Sundaram CIMA ACMA/CGMA (UK)

Personal Information

Address-Marina Crown, Dubai Marina, Dubai.

Education and Professional Qualifications

CIMA UK – ACMA, CGMA (Charted Institute of Management Accountants UK)-2012

Systems Used; SAP, Oracle, HFM (Oracle Hyperion Financial Management), PBCS (Oracle Planning and Budgeting), Payspace, Micros, Epicor, MS Dynamics GP, Cognos, Adaco, VGS, Infor, AGM, Kronos, Sage, MYOB, Odoo, Quick books, Tally, Xero and other Cloud Accounting.

Career Profile (10+Years)

Tellida (Pvt) Ltd - SL: Assistant Manager of Financial Operation – June 2008 to March 2014

OSN-Gulf DTH LLC, Wings Corporate – UAE: Senior Key Project /Management Accountant – April 2014 to Feb 2016

DMG Events (DMGT UK) -UAE: Senior Accountant – Feb 2016 to July 2018

Meraas (L&E), Meraas Holding (F&B) - UAE: Senior Finance Officer – Jul 2018-Dec 2020

Coca-Cola Beverages- DIFC, UAE-Senior Group Financial Accountant-Dec 2020-Current

Profile Summary

CIMA (UK) qualified chartered accountant. Vast experience across a variety of industries (F&B, BPO-Outsource-Schools, Venture Capital, Media, Events –Energy, Construction, Coatings, Hospitality & Publication, Leisure & Entertainment, Travel &Marine, Trading) for large multinationals. An expert in technical accounting, financial processes, analytics and controls. Successful setup of ERP systems, Worked in multiple accounting software platforms. Owned periodic financial reporting and management accounting cycles always ensuring internal and statutory compliance. Prepared and delivered budgets, forecasts and long-term plans, delivering to KPI’s, deadline driven, Group consolidation. Leading Audit Operation, VAT, CT and IFRS compliance matters. Lead a team while managing people and resolving issues.

Key Achievements

Within Coca-Cola Beverages-:

Adopted to new systems and processes quickly and met all deadline relating to month end, Budgets, Rolling forecasts, Quarterly reporting, Yearend reporting.

Successfully and first to complete the audit and issue the signed financial statements in the entire group with regards to the readiness of the IPO.

Completed DIFC, (UAE) company update, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements (FATCA, CSR, ESR) in a timely manner.

Within Meraas- (Business Unit- Meraas F&B):

Managed single handedly the whole AR function and reporting of 34 F&B Outlets of Meraas.

Produced all Management Reports on a timely manner and well adopted to the industry, processes and systems in a short period.

Within Meraas- L&E (Business Unit- Dubai Safari):

Completed the finance integration (systems, processes and policies, controls) and all key functions.

Completed the setup of Inventory system, user training and increased the efficiency in monitoring stocks.

Completed in producing all key reporting requirements to the management.

Provided key information for the business in order to support the forecasting and management accounting.

Setup and manage monthly reporting cycle and develop templates for reconciliations and reports which proved efficient.

Within DMG Events:

Reported major events profit while working with major event directors of each shows. (Adipec-Energy, Big 5-Construction)

Responsible for the registration and setup of VAT and filing across UAE and KSA.

Developed budgets and forecasts and reported key findings which enable events directors to achieve their target.

Completion of consolidated financial statements for the entire group.

Completion of all reporting requirements on time to the group.

Led all Audit, VAT, Statutory and compliance matters.

Coca-Cola Beverages-UAE (Global service DIFC Dubai UAE): - Senior Group Financial Accountant-Dec-20 to Current (Reporting to Group financial accounting manager and General and Treasury Manager)

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) bottles and distributes beverages trademarked by The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) or TCCC’s affiliated entities and is the world’s 8th largest Coca-Cola bottler by revenue. CCBA has over 20 000 employees across its operations in Africa with more than 39 bottling plants in 14 countries-South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Ghana, Mayotte, the Comoros, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini and Lesotho. CCBA’s headquarters are in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and the Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) headquarters are in Johannesburg, underlining our commitment and confidence in the largest market we serve. Coco-Cola Sabco East Africa limited acting as holding company of CCBA group and Global service company limited carrying out administrative management services within the CCBA are based in DIFC, Dubai UAE. Coca-Cola Company intends an IPO for CCBA where shares will be listed in Amsterdam and Johannes burg.

Produce high quality and timely financial information (including Actuals-SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Odoo Budgets-PBCS and Forecasting/ Rolling Estimates-HFM (2months,5months,8months actual)-Hyperion, Variance Analysis, Working Capital Variances) with adherence to company policies, procedures and internal control regulations. (Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly disclosures completed)

Management of the preparation and submission of year end packs and requirements including the relationship with the EY external auditors and completion of year end audit. (Preparation of financial statements and notes)

Completion of statutory reporting requirements of various CCBA Holding Companies

Preparation and processing of Dubai office (WPS), DEWS and Ex-pat payroll.

Support the CCBA Group Treasury function.

Managing banking relationships and payments in straight to bank (SCB)

Interpretation of (IFRS) and implications for the group.

Alignment with intercompany balances (Loans, Dividends, Impairments regarding Investments, Payroll recharges, Receivables, Payables) and dealing, maintaining relationship with multiple stakeholders at various levels.

Manage Dubai office and support other office functions. (Managing the DIFC portal and Visa, etc.)

Engage with Group and Country finance teams to ensure reporting deadlines and requirements are achieved.

Company Secretary – Engaging with DIFC government and responsible for complying with DIFC policies, reporting, procedures and requirements, (FATCA, CSR, ESR)

Preparing Agenda for board meeting and recording board meeting minutes.

VAT Filing and Corporate Tax Preparation

Involved in Crypto Currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum involving payments and receiving funds, Setting up wallet addresses, and withdrawal using an exchange party for transfer of Bitcoins to Fiat currencies)

Meraas- (F&B)-UAE: Senior Officer Finance-July-18 to Dec-19

Meraas F&B 15 Concepts at 35 locations. Reporting to Senior Manager Finance.

Managing single handedly the AR function and Reporting of 35 Meraas food and Beverage outlets (Lima& Toro CW, All Last Exit, Sikka, The Brass, Al Mashowa, PPB, Retro Feast, Dri etc.). Able to adopt to industry very quickly.

Daily outlets revenue reconciliation (Includes Cash and Bank, Deliveroo, American Express CC, Discounts, City ledger transactions, Outlet Managers revenue discrepancies)

Dealing with IT for interface issues, Offline issues and discrepancies between the sales system Micros and Finance System Oracle.

Producing Monthly Mall management reports including the sales figures for all outlets which is then represented in the group consolidation purpose.

Producing Monthly revenue report to the management and cost controller with comments and analysis.

Allocation and posting of bank receipts, commissions, deemed supplies, discount & complimentary Items.

Monthly invoicing including leasing, Franchise and Credit control, Preparing AR ageing report with comments.

Responsible for revenue recognition as per IFRS 15.

Dealing with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Microsoft Teams, etc. (More into digital transformation)

Meraas -Leisure and Entertainment (Business Unit-Dubai Safari Park)- UAE: Senior Officer Finance

Leisure & Entertainment attraction in Dubai targeting visitation of 1m+ pa and $30m+ of revenue

Meraas is responsible for the management of Dubai Safari Park as part of an agreement with Dubai Municipality. Dubai Safari Park is home to over 7,500 animals and aims to be a leading tourist destination worldwide, while maintaining best practices in animal welfare,

nutrition and ethics. Lead for several aspects of the finance function, Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Financial Controller.

Setup and implementation of key information systems which includes Oracle (Finance & Accounts), ADACO (Inventory Management) and VGS (Tickets and Retail sales management). (Including users training, test runs, process alignment etc.).

Involved in setting up the chart of accounts, policies, process flows and controls compliant to local and international standards.

Supporting in building up the Procurement, Accounts payable, Accounts receivable, Inventory, General Ledger, Payroll functions.

Handling the whole inventory process (PR to receiving, Issuance, Physical Count, Closing stock valuation and product movement, Write-off and Provisioning).

Monthly GL closing and preparing accounting records and reconciliation on a timely basis.

Manage the preparation of financial statements as per IFRS.

Provide the business with information to support budgets, forecasting and management accounting.

Preparing Ad-hoc reports and templates for the management.

Responsible for accurate reporting of all financial information, adhering to regulatory requirements.

Point of contact for all Statutory Audit, VAT and IFRS compliance matters.

DMG Events (DMGT UK)-UAE: Senior Accountant – Feb 2016 to July 2018 (Reporting to Finance Manager)

An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa has operated in the Middle East since 1995. We produce more than 50+ market-leading exhibitions for the global construction, coatings, hospitality, interior design and energy industries. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE and with satellite offices in South Africa, the UK and Qatar, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa organizes over 50+ events across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The events attract more than 250,000 customers every year and provide opportunities for trade professionals to do business network and learn. DMG Events is part of DMGT UK (Daily mail and General Trust).

Financial Reporting of Events/Shows- (Dealing with Event Directors and preparing budget and forecast figures, managing budget trackers for each show and enabling events directors to achieve their target, revenue reconciliation, cost allocation, JV/Partners profit share calculation, agents commission calculations, show accruals, (Adipec-Energy, Big 5-Construction, etc.)

Preparing Management Accounts, Financial Statements, Financial reporting (Monthly, Quarterly, HY, FY), Consolidated Group Accounts through accounting software Epicor ERP and Magnitude reporting tool.

Consolidated cash flow management, Cash flow/BS forecasting, budgeting and cash flow variance analysis for each event.

Statutory Audit files preparation for internal and external audit.GL postings (General Ledger check)

Cash treasury management weekly, Setting up bank accounts, BS Reconciliation. Financial Planning of events.

Worked on Ad hoc reports/projects/Financial Analysis requested from group. Managing AR&AP, Payroll process.

UAE VAT registration, Customer/Supplier VAT Letters, VAT certificate/Trn Number collection/ERP Implementation, Preparation of VAT filing across UAE and KSA. Managing Junior team members.

Used Skype for Business, Slack for team and client communications.

OSN Gulf DTH FZ LLC-UAE/Wings Corporate Travel (L.L.C)- UAE: Senior Key Projects/Regional Management Accountant – April 2014 to Feb 2016

OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand-new premium Western, Arabic, South Asian and Filipino entertainment in the Middle East and Africa.

Preparing Financial Statements under IFRS for specific legal entities within the OSN group and within a specified time frame.

Review and preparing standalone legal entity Trial Balance for historical periods,

Preparing all supporting Balance-sheet reconciliations in preparation for the standalone audit,

Liaise with the OSN Legal team to ensure related intra-group service agreements are drafted and signed to support the services performed by the individual legal entities,

Compute and account for intra-group service charge (Transfer price) ensuring that the computation is in line with the legal agreement and is supported by auditable financial transactions,

Highlight to the Corporate Finance Manager if, during this project, any errors or inconsistencies are noted with respect to OSN’s accounting policies and procedures, local GAAP or IFRS.

Ensure all adjustments resulting from the project and from the audit are communicated to the applicable finance team in the prescribed format and are processed in the financial accounting software. (MS Dynamics GP, Cognos)

Reconcile Financial Statements to the financial reporting software at the end of the final audit year.

Any other ad hoc tasks that might be assigned from time to time.

Wings-Preparing Management Accounts for all the regions (SA, USA, UK, UAE, Nigeria, Angola Brazil) which includes month end Journals postings, Expenses/Overhead Analysis, P&L, B/S, etc.) in AGM Software.

Involved in preparing budgets and comparing them with actual to identify the variances.

Preparation of Consolidated accounts for the entire group.

Cash flow analysis.

Involved in banking such as loading and authorization of payments.

Reconciling intercompany balances and preparing intercompany reconciliation. (Multi-currency)

Involved in daily gross sales reporting etc.

Preparing documentations for Tax submissions for regions such Angola and Nigeria.

Preparing BS Reconciliation for all the regions &. Payroll process.

Running the Aged creditors and aged debtors all regions to prepare the supplier/customer reconciliations.

Tellida (Pvt) Ltd – SL: Assistant Manager – June 2008 to Mar 2014

Tellida is an offshore Business Process Outsource (BPO) unit based in Colombo, Sri Lanka,. Tellida provides clients with high-end bespoke solutions that address core operational areas of Finance & Accounting and Legal and Contact Centre Domains. Catering to a global network of clients spanning key international economic markets of the UK, Singapore and Australia. (Wilkins Kennedy -UK, Tax Clarity- UK)

Migrating new Finance projects from different countries with various requirements by setting them up, implementing the ERP systems, ensuring a smooth live run and handing it over to the team to meet quality and timely deliverables to the client.

Finalizing and quality checking Monthly Management Accounts, Year End Accounts or reports from the team members before sent to the clients.

Decision making at times regarding any issues that rises in the finance and accounting operation.

Supporting the manager in performing management functions such as staffing, training, review staff performance and expanding business plans.

Investigated and resolved customer’s issues and complaints regarding operational matters – Handled all queries and client feedback in a professional manner.

Maintained cordial relations with other staff and assisted them in resolving their issues, Designed and coordinated training programs for existing and new employees, Placing internal controls.

Managing and Supervising the Accounting Team.

Review new projects and assist in billing or sending quotations.

Handled various client requirements from different industries and countries and built external relationships.

Preparing year end final accounts and accounts production. (Using Sage Accounts production)

Preparing working paper files, Management accounts, VAT returns, Maintain accounting records as per standards.

Was very well involved in many accounting packages such as (MYOB, Tally, QuickBooks, Sage ERP, Tailor made client remote systems, Cloud accounting software such as Xero, Odoo Tripletex, Accounts Portal)

Involved in developing a training structure for the company as well as being involved in the Quality Control procedures.

Involved in Planning, Budgeting, & Forecasting, Project Appraisal, Share split profit calculation, Contract costing, Financial Analysis.

Experience in MS Office packages and MS outlook. (E.g. Microsoft Excel-PIVOT,VLOOKUP,FUNCTIONS,MACROS etc.)

Bookkeeping, Payroll, Invoicing, Accounts payable and receivable processes, Intercompany reconciliations, Bank/CC/VAT/Tax/PC Reconciliation, Maintaining Fixed Asset, Accruals, Prepayments schedules, Subsidiary Consolidation, Debtors/Creditors Aging, Credit Control, Foreign revaluation, Month end Journals

+971 (0-50-981-****

ad212a@r.postjobfree.com

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