Assistant Controller with 25+ Years Finance

Syed Zafar Munir, CIA, CA (Pak.)

TECHNICAL CORE COMPETENCIES

Financial Analysis

Internal Audit

ERP Implementation

Reporting and Variance Analysis

Risk Management and Internal Controls

Finance Transformation and Reporting Automation

Strategic Financial Planning

Account Reconciliations and Journal Entries

Regulatory Compliance, CRA/IRS Taxation compliance, HST, GST, PST

Budgeting and Forecasting

Integration and Process Improvement, SOP’s

Governance and Audit Committee Reporting

IFRS, US GAAP, ASPE, ASNPO and PSAS

Revenue Recognition and Grant Accounting

Data Analysis and Financial Dashboard Development

Financial Close and Handling of External Audit

Payroll, Employee Benefits and Defined Benefit / Defined Contribution Plans

Business Partnering and Cross-Functional Advisory

SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, NetSuite, Sage 300, QuickBooks, Hyperion, Concur, Questica, EUNA and Audit Board

Operations, safety, plant and technical audits

MS Office and AI Tools

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CITY OF HAMILTON

October 2024 – October 2026

Municipal government organization supporting recreation, housing, senior centres, golf courses, restaurants and other community facilities.

Finance Assistant I

Manage day-to-day accounting activities for a multi-million-dollar municipal organization, supporting accurate and timely financial reporting and supervising two accountants.

Prepare and post employee benefit journals and support monthly, quarterly and annual close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations and account balance reviews.

Extract, analyze and reconcile financial data from GolfNow, XPLOR, Moneris, Square, NetSuite, Questica and Lightspeed to support operational and management reporting.

Partner with golf course and restaurant operations on financial and analytical matters, including tip and product-sales finalization, grant management and revenue reporting.

Support senior centres and other recreational facilities with expense verification, grant reporting, deposit recording, revenue recognition and customer recoveries.

Prepare requests for invoices (RFIs), obtain required approvals and finalize transactions in NetSuite for customer billing.

Support the budget preparation and submission process through Questica, coordinating with operational stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely inputs.

Review journal entries for accuracy, completeness and appropriate accounting treatment while maintaining compliance with corporate policies and applicable requirements.

Support internal control and compliance activities, including audit procedures and controls testing designed to strengthen financial reporting integrity.

Analyze revenue recognition processes and support the application of IFRS 15 principles across relevant business activities.

Key Achievements:

1.Identified and corrected more than $1 million in financial discrepancies through quarterly variance analysis and corrective action, improving reporting accuracy and reducing recurring errors.

2.Successfully implemented NetSuite accounting and accounts-receivable functionality within assigned timelines, supporting improved transaction processing and financial reporting.

IKO INDUSTRIES

October 2022 – October 2024

Leading Shingles and Roofing Manufacturing organization with operations across Canada and the United States.

Senior Internal Auditor

Led internal audits across multiple Canadian and U.S. locations to assess the adequacy, effectiveness and efficiency of business operations, internal controls and established procedures.

Supported implementation of the 2024 Global Internal Audit Standards and IPPF, strengthening the organization’s internal audit methodology and governance practices.

Developed and maintained annual risk assessments and the ongoing audit plan, aligning audit coverage with key operational and control risks.

Applied data analysis techniques to evaluate control efficiency and effectiveness and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Documented audit findings and developed value-added recommendations to address control gaps, operational risks and governance issues.

Assessed IT risks, controls and related exposures and incorporated technology considerations into internal audit engagements.

Drafted and presented audit reports and findings to Internal Audit leadership, management and auditees, supporting clear communication of risks and remediation priorities.

Conducted investigations into suspicious transactions and supported advisory assignments as required.

Prepared reports and presentations for the Audit Committee and management and maintained complete audit documentation in AuditBoard.

Completed an eight-week Dale Carnegie program focused on effective communication and human relations.

Key Achievements:

1.Implemented Audit Software Audit Board.

2.Prepared reports and presentations for the Audit Committee and Management at multiple occasions.

3.Developed and launched a dashboard reporting tool to track audit management and findings enabling data-driven management decisions and reducing costs by 15%.

4.Led a paperless-process initiative that reduced paper consumption and delivered approximately $10,000 in annual savings.

5.Streamlined Audit planning and reporting processes and identified operational efficiencies that saved approximately 100 hours per employee annually while reducing manual data-entry errors.

PACKALL PACKAGING,

January 2021 - October 2022

Manufacturers and suppliers of Packaging material mainly to food industry.

Product and operations audit

●Controlled Work Dockets on GTDC, reviewing and verifying accuracy and completeness.

●Identified issues in products through sample testing and measurements, identifying deviations or defects.

●Analyzed identified issues and collaborated with stakeholders to develop corrective actions.

●Coordinated with QC team for final inspections and approvals.

●Assessed warehouse management procedures, verifying accurate inventory tracking.

●Participated in Joint Health and Safety Committee activities, assessing compliance with regulations and proposing safety improvements.

●Participated In HACCP and GMP standards implementation and audit.

CYCLONE MANUFACTURING INC.

January 2017 - December 2020

Manufacturers Of Aerospace parts and materials

Product and operations audit

●Utilized MS Dynamics AX to manage and control work orders effectively.

●Ensured accurate recording, tracking, and monitoring of work orders throughout the production process.

●Identified and conducted inspections on parts or components for improvement.

●Collaborated with the Quality Control (QC) department for final inspections and necessary approvals before shipment.

●Actively engaged in the governance of environmental, health, and safety matters within the organization.

●Contributed to the development and implementation of safety and sustainability policies, procedures, and practices.

●Participated In HACCP and GMP implementation and audit.

ZEEA FOODS

March 2013 – December 2016

Importer, manufacturer and distributor of Olives and other food products.

Controller

Supervised payroll administration and managed core accounting activities supporting accurate and timely financial reporting.

Prepared financial statements, journal entries and month-end reconciliations and maintained complete and accurate financial records.

Managed accounts payable and accounts receivable, including bank and general ledger reconciliations.

Coordinated annual external audits and prepared required tax remittances and supporting documentation.

Administered and supported Sage 300 ERP and related accounting processes.

SENIOR FINANCE & ACCOUNTING LEADERSHIP ROLES

2000 – 2013

Progressively senior finance roles in Pakistan including Chief Financial Officer, General Manager – Financial Accounts, Internal Audit Manager and Senior Manager – Finance.

Administered and supervised defined benefit and defined contribution plan funds and coordinated with external actuaries.

Prepared financial statements, management reports and statutory reporting packages and analyzed financial performance for senior leadership.

Managed payroll accounting, complex reconciliations and coordination with external auditors.

Maintained effective internal controls and supervised accounting teams to support accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting.

Presented financial information and performance analysis to senior management and Boards to support decision-making.

Worked with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX and Hyperion across finance, reporting and planning activities.

PWC (A.F. FERGUSON & CO.-Pakistan)

1994 – 2000

Trainee Auditor to Assistant Manager

Performed more than 10 complex financial statement audits for large public companies across chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and other industries.

Audited major clients including Sandoz, Clariant, Novartis and English Biscuits, gaining broad exposure to complex financial reporting and control environments.

Performed first-time audit engagements, including control walkthroughs and SOX documentation for Aventis-related audits and a real-estate client with approximately $200 million in assets under management.

Applied IFRS, US GAAP, ASPE, ASNPO, PSAS and SOX requirements across audit engagements and accounting analyses.

Prepared complex accounting memoranda addressing Multiple IFRS’, Statutory Reporting requirements and relevant U.S.GAAP topics.

Key Achievement:

Drafted and presented final audit reports and findings to various Audit and Management Committees, identifying many significant deficiencies and recommending improvements to strengthen internal controls.

EDUCATION

Certified Internal Auditor

April 2016

Institute of Internal Auditors

Chartered Accountant

January 2000

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan

Bachelor of Commerce

September 1994

Government College of Commerce and Economics, University of Karachi

Contact this candidate