Ahmed Saleh
Arlington,VA
Summary
Seasoned financial leader with over 25 years of experience in accounting, financial planning and reporting. Highly accomplished in streamlining financial operations from the IPO stage, M&A and going public or registering private. Demonstrated development and adapting complex financial reporting processes to achieve organizational profitability goals and capitalize on new revenue streams.
Talented [Job Title] with expertise managing all aspects of financial operations. Adept in improving internal controls to mitigate risks and developing high-performing teams. Accomplished in guiding financial strategies that contribute to exponential organizational growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group Controller
Ascend Public Charter Schools
03.2018 - Current
- Managed the accounting system for the 3rd largest Public Charter School in NY State
- Provided leadership to all accounting and finance areas of the organization
- Maintained control of the following areas: general ledger, accounts payable, expense reports, billing, inventory, payroll, investment and treasury
- Prepared and assisted with the development of audit schedules for financial audits, as well as assisted with various government reporting obligations
- Managed the accounting and financial administration of Ascend's retirement plans
- Led Ascend's accounting policies and procedures, including establishing appropriate internal controls
- Conducted monthly reviews of all financial activity, identifying and resolving accounting discrepancies, reconciling intercompany accounts, and recording journal entries
- Directed day-to-day activities of accounting staff
- Developed and adhered to a month-end close and reporting process and deadlines
- Led the preparation of annual audit reports and reviews reports for accuracy
- Reviewed and approved reports due to The State University of New York authorizer as well as other reporting requirements
- Managed the revenue and expenses for all grants including Title, CSP, IDEA, e-rate, etc
- Quarterbacked reporting requirements with input from others across Ascend
- Managed revenue and expenses related to COVID stimulus spending associated with ESSERII and ARP grants
- Oversaw and improved accounting for Ascend's government and foundation grants
- Managed the preparation of budgets and reports for funders including major donors, foundations, and government entities.
Managing Director, Controller
Troika Media Group [Public Listed Company]
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Oversaw financial projections for the company and participated in the development of specific financial profit and growth objectives for the short and long-term
- Provided counsel to the potential financial impact of major business decisions
- Handled monthly, quarterly and annual close of income statement and balance sheet, account reconciliations & G/L analysis
- Produced cash flow reports, calculating cash needs at weekly and monthly intervals, and managed daily cash
- Implemented accounting and reporting procedures to ensure soundness, timeliness, and accuracy of all financial and management information
- Ensured proper controls are in place
- Approved all changes to established procedures, systems and routines
- Monitored cash flow requirements on a project and corporate level
- Managed the creation of the annual budget and forecasts and monitored them on a monthly basis
- Worked closely with executive team and partners to facilitate efficient and effective firm-wide operation
- Provided financial reports to the executive committee and partners each month
- Evaluated, applied, and refined policies, procedures, controls, and most methodologies, project accounting, post-project follow-up, and review
- Reviewed, assisted, and supported the drafting of Forms 10-Q, 10-KT, 8K, S-3and 10-K
- Overseen external audits and all international, federal, state, and local tax filings
- Implemented companywide Sarbanes- Oxley Lite program.
VP Assistant Global Corporate Controller
WEJO [Public Listed Company]
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Responsible for overall month-end/ quarter-end close process on a timely basis
- Led the month-end close and consolidation process across the organization on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis
- Reviewed, assisted and supported the drafting of Forms 10-Q and 10-K
- Provided overall mentorship to the team
- Analyzed financial information and drive month end support and documentation
- Served as liaison to internal and external auditors to support public company requirements
- Supported the Company’s Sarbanes Oxley Compliance efforts
- Drove process improvement and contribute to exiting confidential projects that achieve scalability and efficiency, system design and core accounting framework and management reporting
- Prepared the monthly internal reporting package for executive and senior leadership teams and present the results and findings
- Provided accounting support to the Business Development team on M&A by participating in due diligence, technical accounting support and leading accounting integrations.
Assistant Global Corporate Controller
Galata Chemicals LLC [privately owned $1.2bln turnover]
10.2020 - 05.2022
- Led the implementation of companywide financial policies, procedures and controls
- Prepared the S1 filings for the IPO
- Implemented first time use Workiva for 10K/10Q filings post the IPO
- Lead 2019 Statuary audit and closure of any pending audit points
- Responded to the technical accounting inquiries that were raised by the business and the SEC post the submission of the S-1 form
- Provided technical accounting training to the accounting organization
- Oversaw the operations and development of the company’s finance department including creating and reviewing policies, budgeting, recruiting, training and conducting regular assessments of financial procedures
- Achieved a proper mix of equity and debt to minimize cost and maximize operational profit, negotiated and secured $100M deal with Wells Fargo and KEYBANK with competitive interest rate
- Implemented TM1 and Tableau automation with net Payroll saving of $800K
- Support the business to effectively make direct material improvement decisions including make versus buy
- Managed all direct interactions with internal project stakeholders and external financial partners to drive the implementation of investment and acquisition financing plans
- Derived the structuring, negotiating, and execution of transactions and cultivated relationships with financial investors and/or lenders
- Drafted and Implemented the Transfer Pricing Agreement and successfully passed IRS audit for 2021
- Led the business and secured the PPP loan along with its forgiveness
- Reduced the cost of the raw materials by 8% which led to EBITDA increase by $6m
- Led annual budget process, quarterly re-forecasting process and short- and medium-term cash flow management and forecasting
- Oversaw and managed all financial reporting and accounting functions at the plant
- Accountable for timely and accurate month-end closing, forecasting, quoting, working capital, and fixed asset management
- Served as liaison with tax advisors for completion of annual tax computations/returns.
Accounting Manager, WTS
SUEZ WTS USA Inc.
05.2019 - 10.2020
- Oversaw and managed the general accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, cash management and taxes
- Worked with external auditors to ensure correct and timely closing and reporting at year-end
- End to end production of statutory accounts for 5 legal entities under IFRS and US GAAP
- Reviewed and approved balance sheet reconciliations for North America Region
- Led technical accounting projects and special reviews as required
- Ensured compliance across the Group with external financial reporting requirements, including IFRS, EU/SEC Companies Act and compliance with requirements of external financing
- Supervised five Reporting Accountants
- Assisted with the preparation of the production of annual and interim consolidated accounts and annual subsidiary accounts
- Managed the close and consolidation process, including intercompany eliminations and dividends payments to Suez International in Paris
- Implemented percentage of completion revenue recognition method under IFRS16/ASC606 for the Group
- Main contact for all the Government and the EU census bureau financial reports.
US GAAP /IFRS and External Reporting Consultant-Consultancy Role
03.2018 - 04.2019
- Led ASC842/ASC 606 implementation for Mizuho Bank
- Prepared the 10K for VINCE PLC
- Prepared the 10K for Freshpet Therapeutics Inc
- Led ASC 842 implementation for Shake Shack
- Led the accounting policies implementation project for Synchronoss plc this includes the implementation of the Foreign Exchange remeasurement and translation within Oracle, AGIS Intercompany and the elimination ledgers
- Reviewed and documented the impact of the IAS 39 replacement with IFRS 9 for insurance companies’ clients
- Analyzed the impact of IFRS16, ASC 842, ASC420, ASC780 IFRS 17 while applying IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 for various European based insurance and Energy companies’ clients
- Led the implementation of NetSuite for Suez subs
- Served as External Reporting Consultant for Suez PLC, responsible for the IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 along with the full statutory financial package submission to France
- Implemented ASC 718 along with working close with the E-trade software developer to ensure the client had the adequate reporting tools and its reports for any of the SEC requests.
GLOBAL RECORD TO REPORT ACCOUNTING MANAGER
McGraw-Hill Education
02.2013 - 02.2018
- Prepared SEC filings (Form 10-K, form 10-Q, form 8-K, press release) and reviewed XBRL tagging
- Managed the annual audit and quarterly review of our external auditors by working closely with various functional teams and providing the requirements of our external auditors timely
- Assisted in preparation of the annual proxy statement and other ad hoc registration statements
- Worked closely with the Domestic and International finance team on the restatement of the company’s audited financial statements to apply ASC 606 “Revenue Recognition” to their multiple element arrangements
- Led the implementation of the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842) from the lease reclassification, lease modifications, CAM/Tenants allowances calculations to the disclosure on the 0Q/10K
- Led US GAAP to IFRS Global reconciliation project
- Calculated and concluded on the accounting for $2.1 billion debt refinancing in accordance with modification/extinguishment guidance in ASC 470
- Assisted with the preparation and review of the quarterly financial statements and footnotes in accordance with debt covenant compliance and oversee the preparation of the Management Discussion and Analysis
- Prepared the annual goodwill/intangible asset impairment for the Global Controller review
- Developed corporate financial policies and procedures in accordance with United States
- GAAP & company policy
- Prepared the Financial disclosures for the IPO filings (S-1)
- Led Oracle R/12 implementation for the GL for EMEA and the US regions
- Global Subject Matter Expert and RTR lead MHE’s TM1 migration to new cloud-based IBM Planning Analytics
- Managed the consolidation process including the recording of consolidating and eliminations’ entries, reconciliation of intercompany, CTA validation and investment in subsidiary transactions
- Implemented revenue recognition infrastructure across general ledgers, TM1 system, Tableau dashboard, and enterprise data warehouse
- Built Excel applications using TM1 syntax
- Built reports in Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) and TM1 Websheets
- Responsible for EU IFRS to US GAAP reconciliation.
REGIONAL SARBANES AND OXLEY MANAGER
AIG Insurance – Central Region (Dubai, UAE /London, UK)
05.2009 - 12.2012
- Provided guidance on AIG Accounting Policies and test to ensure countries are compliant with the policies
- Developed and maintain the Sarbanes Oxley compliance section of the regional website
- Monitored the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations
- Managed solvency across MEMSA region
- Dealt with the External Auditor for the Region and responsible for the preparation of the regional office statuary accounts
- Led Solvency II “3 pillars” implementation for the Central Region
- Responsible for the Balance Sheet Reconciliation and the Intercompany
- Implementation of my own initiative compliance and Risk frame works known as L1-SOS
- Across the Globe and Led this initiative for the 25 countries worldwide including UK/US
- Interpreted newly issued GAAP & IFRS statements for distribution to business managers
- Reviewed and approved all Technical Accounting Sarbanes-Oxley documentation and test work
- Reviewed and analyzed financial, operational, market, and strategic risks of the company, and documented appropriate action plans to mitigate such risks.
FINANCE LEADER - GE Corporate – Global Business Services (Dubai, UAE)
General Electric Company
- Responsible for Oracle 11i and SAP implementation for North Europe
- Responsible for finance transition to GENPACT outsourcing to India
- Trained & hired new staff, ensuring transition to GENPACT India was smooth and compliant
- Implemented Audit process across the business
- Prepared STAT (IFRS/US GAAP) for 2008
- Implementation of the T&L process across EMEA
- Produced US GAAP Financial Statements including SEC schedules, US Regulatory Banking Reporting and other reports for GE disclosures purposes
- Set up processes to report financial statements in accordance with US GAAP
- Providing Monthly Balance Sheet and Profit /Loss Variance Analysis to European Leadership team
- Managed the process to ensure SOX 404 compliance within the entire bank
- Documented processes related to US GAAP and GE consolidated accounting
- Set up processes for building and maintenance of models for calculation of entries to be booked in US GAAP adjustments ledgers, cooperated closely with FP&A team and Risk team to ensure all the necessary data are accessible
- Ensured all entries related to GE consolidated accounting as well as entries for US GAAP adjustments are properly posted
- Led Basel II implementation
- Coordinated preparation and submission of SEC schedules and US Banking regulatory Reports related to quarter close process and other reports to GE Money Headquarters
- Successfully led Consolidation and Disposition accounting for Santander
- Produced monthly reports to UK Financial Controller & assisted in preparation of management board packs
- Implemented and managed controls covering all UK, foreign and US bank accounts ensuring integrity of cash
- Set up, maintained and develop a strategic audit framework based on the evaluation of the risks the company is exposed to
- Provided accurate financial accounts on the fully integrated SAP business system in accordance with Standard Accounting Practice
- Implemented and ensured financial controls met External & Internal Audit group requirements
- Owned and implemented SAP FI-CO Financial Accounting and Controlling, SAP Fixed Assets, SAP P2P, SAP O2C, SAP Inter Company, SAP Business Planning and Consolidation, SAP Project Accounting and integration of SAP with tax bolt-on tools.
Senior AUDIT MANAGER
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (Dubai, London)
- Reviewed consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures in accordance with United States GAAP standards
- Serviced large public client with emphasis on SEC reporting (8-K, 10-Q and 10-K) and IFRS
- Responsible for running year-end audits including planning, performance, and completion of audit engagements.
Education
CPA Candidate Is Taking The FAR, AUD Exams in Dec 2024.
03-2025
MBA, Accounting, and Finance -
Middlesex University
01.2010
Certified Chartered Accountant (UK)
01.1999
Certified Accounting Technician (UK)
01-1998
Skills
- IBM Cognos TM1
- IBM Planning Analytics
- SAP
- GL / Oracle EBS R/12
- Great Plains
- Hyperion (HFM)
- Sage
- QuickBooks
- Microsoft Office
- SAP Business Objects Financial Consolidation
- Trintech
- Wdesk [Workiva]
- Active Disclosure [AD]
- Viareport Lease tool
- Oracle
- SMART
- Tableau
- Workday Financials
- Capital expenditures
- Cash Flow Management
- Financial Forecasting
- Financial document review
- Financial strategy management
- Policy Planning
- Corporate finance
- Executive leadership advisement
- Regulatory Compliance
- Financial controls implementation
- Public Accounting
- Grant administration
Certification
- Project Management Professional “PMP”
- Black belt Six Sigma – GE Corporate
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Managing Director, Controller
Troika Media Group [Public Listed Company]
10.2022 - 06.2023
VP Assistant Global Corporate Controller
WEJO [Public Listed Company]
05.2022 - 10.2022
Assistant Global Corporate Controller
Galata Chemicals LLC [privately owned $1.2bln turnover]
10.2020 - 05.2022
Accounting Manager, WTS
SUEZ WTS USA Inc.
05.2019 - 10.2020
Group Controller
Ascend Public Charter Schools
03.2018 - Current
US GAAP /IFRS and External Reporting Consultant-Consultancy Role
03.2018 - 04.2019
GLOBAL RECORD TO REPORT ACCOUNTING MANAGER
McGraw-Hill Education
02.2013 - 02.2018
REGIONAL SARBANES AND OXLEY MANAGER
AIG Insurance – Central Region (Dubai, UAE /London, UK)
05.2009 - 12.2012
FINANCE LEADER - GE Corporate – Global Business Services (Dubai, UAE)
General Electric Company
Senior AUDIT MANAGER
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (Dubai, London)
CPA Candidate Is Taking The FAR, AUD Exams in Dec 2024.
MBA, Accounting, and Finance -
Middlesex University
Certified Chartered Accountant (UK)
Certified Accounting Technician (UK)
- Project Management Professional “PMP”
- Black belt Six Sigma – GE Corporate
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