Power BI
Ahmed Farouk
Financial Controller, CPA, CMA & CIA
Dubai
Summary
Finance professional with over 15 years of experience in financial management, reporting, risk assessment, and business support. Expertise in overseeing finance operations, management reporting, planning, treasury, internal control, and risk management. Proven ability to drive strategic financial decisions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance in multinational environments. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master of Science in International Accounting & Finance from Heriot-Watt University. I am a certified CPA, CMA, and CIA from the USA. Currently pursuing an Executive Master of Accounting at the University of Cambridge. Proficient in financial systems such as SAP, Navision, QlikView, Risk to Chance (R2C), MPC, Treasury Management 5 (TM5), Tagetik, Tableau, Python, and Power BI. Passionate about continuous improvement and committed to driving financial excellence. Thrives in dynamic environments and excels in collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Financial Controller - Middle East & Africa
Wilo Group
04.2024 - Current
- Provide strategic financial leadership and business support
- Develop and execute the regional financial strategy aligned with the company's overall objectives.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes for the region.
- Manage and optimize working capital across different areas and subsidiaries.
- Drive financial analysis and evaluations of investment opportunities to support growth initiatives.
- Support expansion and localization plans, including the launch of new products or establishment of new factories.
- Ensure compliance with regional regulations, accounting standards, and tax requirements.
- Monitor financial performance, KPIs, and key business metrics, providing insights to senior management.
- Implement effective financial controls, policies, and procedures to mitigate risks.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency, drive cost optimization and sustain growth.
- Prepare and present accurate and timely financial reports, including monthly/quarterly management reports and board presentations.
- Support strategic decision-making through financial modelling, scenario analysis, and business case development.
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Work closely with global finance leadership to align regional financial activities with corporate strategies.
Financial Controller - MENA
Wilo Group
09.2018 - 03.2024
- Provide strategic financial leadership and business support
- Develop and execute the regional financial strategy aligned with the company's overall objectives.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes for the region.
- Manage and optimize working capital across different areas and subsidiaries.
- Drive financial analysis and evaluations of investment opportunities to support growth initiatives.
- Support expansion and localization plans, including the launch of new products or establishment of new factories.
- Ensure compliance with regional regulations, accounting standards, and tax requirements.
- Monitor financial performance, KPIs, and key business metrics, providing insights to senior management.
- Implement effective financial controls, policies, and procedures to mitigate risks.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency, drive cost optimization and sustain growth.
- Prepare and present accurate and timely financial reports, including monthly/quarterly management reports and board presentations.
- Support strategic decision-making through financial modelling, scenario analysis, and business case development.
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Work closely with global finance leadership to align regional financial activities with corporate strategies.
Financial Controller - Middle East
Wilo Group
05.2011 - 08.2018
- Manage company accounts, budgets, and financial activities to meet the information needs of management and statutory bodies.
- Perform monthly reviews and checks on balance sheet and profit and loss accounts to ensure accuracy and integrity of accounting figures.
- Prepare and complete Month End Management Accounts and Group Accounts
- Coordinate Year End Audit/Accounts to ensure timely completion of all relevant Group and Statutory reports.
- Identify and assess risks across the Group, obtaining management agreement on key controls and control issues.
- Develop long-range financial forecasts, budgets, and perform variance analysis.
- Prepare Monthly/Annual Budget reports for local management and reporting to the Group.
- Prepare Quarterly/Annual Treasury and Liquidity Plans.
- Assist the Managing Director in overall company management.
Finance Instructor
Morgan International
07.2010 - 12.2017
- Instructed CMA, CIA, and CPA courses.
- Prepared and presented class materials and topics with thoroughness and competence.
- Demonstrated confidence, professionalism, and an engaging personality.
- Provided examples and explanations to enhance understanding of the subject matter.
- Reviewed class problems and solutions with students.
- Responded knowledgeably to students' questions and concerns both in and outside of the classroom.
- Managed class time effectively to ensure timely completion of the review course material.
- Encouraged students to complete homework assignments and engage in exam preparation.
- Followed up with students to ensure their readiness for the exams through homework and revision.
Finance Instructor
PwC's Academy Middle East
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Instructed CMA and CIA courses.
- Prepared and presented class materials and topics with thoroughness and competence.
- Demonstrated confidence, professionalism, and an engaging personality.
- Provided examples and explanations to enhance understanding of the subject matter.
- Reviewed class problems and solutions with students.
- Responded knowledgeably to students' questions and concerns both in and outside of the classroom.
- Managed class time effectively to ensure timely completion of the review course material.
- Encouraged students to complete homework assignments and engage in exam preparation.
- Followed up with students to ensure their readiness for the exams through homework and revision.
Branch Accountant
Al-Futtaim Motors
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Ensured compliance with accounting and control procedures and policies in the branch.
- Authorized all in-house sales and credit customers, including government sales.
- Monitored daily sales reports, credit invoices, open sales cases, and sales returns.
- Processed refund requests in accordance with company policy.
- Collaborated with AFSS and provided financial support as needed.
Financial Accountant
Patchi LLC
11.2008 - 07.2010
- Managed and reviewed operations for 8 out of 22 Patchi outlets in UAE.
- Prepared monthly operational reports for sales operations.
- Ensured adherence to company policies and internal control procedures by outlet staff.
- Resolved accounting-related issues faced by cashiers and branch managers.
- Conducted bank reconciliations and made necessary adjusting entries.
- Prepared and posted necessary entries and adjusting entries to the General Ledger.
- Conducted periodic reviews to ensure policy compliance at branches.
Education
Executive Master of Accounting - Accounting and Finance
University of Cambridge
01.2023 - 01.2025
Master of Science - MS - International Accounting and Finance
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
01.2017 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) - Accounting and Finance
Tanta University
01.2000 - 01.2004
Skills
Certification
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
Software
Python
SAP
Tableau
Navision
Accomplishments
- Developed and integrated live Power BI dashboards connected to real-time IMF data for MENA and MSA, linking GDP forecasts to company sales to build a dynamic 5-year GDP-based sales forecasting model.
- Automated financial reporting to senior management across all Emerging Markets by developing live Power BI dashboards connected to ERP, working capital, balance sheet, and inventory systems.
- Played a key leadership role in MENA, driving 20% revenue CAGR while containing expense CAGR at 7% despite factory expansion — achieved through automation, operational efficiencies, and back-office relocation to lower-cost countries.
- Leading a task force to strengthen internal controls across MEA by implementing the COSO framework, with a focus on risk mitigation, process standardization, and governance alignment.
- Leading a digitalization task force focused on relentlessly automating key processes across the company to drive efficiency, reduce manual work, and enable data-driven decision-making.
- Achieved distinction in the Master of Accounting program at Heriot-Watt University, and currently attaining distinction-level results in the Executive Master of Accounting at the University of Cambridge.
Interests
Reading books, Gym, Travelling, Table Tennis
Affiliations
- Member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IMA)
- Member of Institute of American Institiute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA
Timeline
Financial Controller - Middle East & Africa
Wilo Group
04.2024 - Current
Executive Master of Accounting - Accounting and Finance
University of Cambridge
01.2023 - 01.2025
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
02-2022
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - Level 1
05-2021
Financial Controller - MENA
Wilo Group
09.2018 - 03.2024
Master of Science - MS - International Accounting and Finance
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
01.2017 - 01.2019
Finance Instructor
PwC's Academy Middle East
01.2015 - 12.2015
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
02-2013
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
01-2013
Financial Controller - Middle East
Wilo Group
05.2011 - 08.2018
Branch Accountant
Al-Futtaim Motors
08.2010 - 05.2011
Finance Instructor
Morgan International
07.2010 - 12.2017
Financial Accountant
Patchi LLC
11.2008 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) - Accounting and Finance
Tanta University
01.2000 - 01.2004
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