Mohammed Waleed

Strategic Finance Leader | Driving Growth, Compliance, ERP Transformation & Profitability Across FMCG, HVACR & Global Markets

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About

๐ˆ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ง๐š๐ง๐œ๐ž, ๐œ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐œ๐ž, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก, ๐ ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐š๐ง๐œ๐ž, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ. Hi, Iโ€™m Mohammed Waleed, a Chartered Accountant (ACCA, ACA) and Strategic Finance Professional with 15+ years of experience across FMCG, HVACR, Retail, Tourism, and Real Estate sectors. From Intercontinental Duty Free Group and Tahir International to Welcome Break in the UK, Iโ€™ve partnered with global teams to deliver financial transformation, ensure governance, and strengthen compliance frameworks, while driving business profitability and resilience. My focus goes beyond reporting numbers. I help organizations reimagine finance as a strategic enabler turning compliance into confidence, ERP into efficiency, and risk management into sustainable growth. ๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐ˆ ๐ƒ๐จ - Lead ERP transformations (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics NAV, Sage) to deliver digital-first finance. - Drive financial planning, budgeting, and P&L strategies that maximize profitability. - Execute forensic audits, tax planning, and compliance assurance across global markets. - Partner with leadership to embed governance and operational efficiency into growth strategies. - Build and mentor high-performing finance teams that thrive on innovation and accountability. ๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐ƒ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ ๐Œ๐ž - I believe finance is more than compliance, itโ€™s about building trust and enabling scale. - I thrive on simplifying financial complexity into clarity and actionable insights. - To me, transformation is not about systems alone, but about empowering people to think bigger and perform better. ๐๐ž๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค - Increased revenue by โ‚ฌ10M through strategic audit-led interventions with Big 4 firms. - Reduced month-end closing by 50% and automated reporting for efficiency gains. - Relaunched global brands like Lego, Hasbro, Ravensburg, and Traxxas across APAC & MENA. - Delivered 100% error-free compliance with VAT, GST, and FBR submissions. I enjoy exploring how technology, analytics, and digital finance can create future-ready organizations that balance growth with governance, innovation with compliance, and strategy with sustainable impact.

Experience

  • Intercontinental Duty Free Group (Full-time ยท 7 yrs 6 mos)
    • Finance Controller
      Dec 2017 - May 2025 ยท 7 yrs 6 mos

      - Directed all financial operations, including A/R, A/P, GL, Cost Accounting, Inventory, and Revenue Recognition, ensuring compliance with IFRS and regulatory frameworks. - Coordinated budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and board-level reporting to support strategic decision-making. - Supervised regulatory reporting and tax filings in the UAE & Netherlands; advised management on compliance and accounting issues. - Implemented ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Sage, Revel CRM) and developed financial dashboards for performance tracking.

    • Country Manager (Pakistan)
      Sep 2021 - Mar 2025 ยท 3 yrs 7 mos

      - Strengthened internal controls, reducing errors and enhancing reporting accuracy. - Resolved financial aspects of logistics, imports, and exports , ensuring cost efficiency and compliance. - Partnered with commercial and operations teams to align financial strategies with business objectives, driving sustainable growth and profitability. - Successfully led forensic audits with Big 4 firms, ensuring transparent reporting and governance.

  • Senior Finance Manager at Tahir International
    Jul 2012 - Jul 2017 ยท 5 yrs 1 mo

    - Oversaw import and logistics finance operations for multinational clients, including Samsung, Emerson, Honeywell, Invensys, Bristol, and Secop GmbH. - Ensured accurate financial transaction recording, reconciliations, and subsidiary account management. - Prepared and filed GST, Sales Tax, and Income Tax returns, ensuring compliance with FBR regulations. - Maintained and balanced accounts; resolved discrepancies and prepared audit-ready reports. - Strengthened internal controls and provided compliance assurance across financial operations.

  • Assistant Finance Manager at Welcome Break
    Jul 2009 - May 2011 ยท 1 yr 11 mos

    - Designed and implemented internal financial controls ; monitored compliance across all functions. - Developed long-term financial models and introduced rolling forecasts for strategic agility. - Reported and analyzed financial data to support budgeting and variance analysis. - Implemented Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB), cutting departmental costs by 10% without operational impact. - Upgraded ERP systems (SAP & Oracle) to improve reporting automation and accuracy. - Managed external audits with zero major findings for 5 consecutive years.