CHERAG SHAH

United Arab Emirates Dubai Mobile: +971505589314/+971556001030 Email: cheragshah@gmail.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE
A chartered accountant and management graduate with 14+ years of post qualification experience encompassing various facets of business, operations, finance and restructuring experience in Industry, coupled with Big 4 firm audit and consulting expertise. Seeking a challenging senior finance/business position to integrate twin benefits of in-depth know-how of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry, manufacturing, retail and service sectors with regional market savvy to create superior value propositions.

KEY SKILLS
P& L and Balance sheet Management, Financial Management, Budgetary Analysis, Forecast Preparation, Working Capital & Asset Management Corporate Governance, Business Restructuring & Optimization, Opex & Internal Control Business Case & Feasibility Studies, Project Management, Risk Management on Projects. Auditing & Consulting, Strategic Advisory Services, Conflict Management. Strategic Leadership, Man Management, Crisis Management, Group Dynamics & Synergy. Training & Development, Problem Solving, Communication & Interpersonal Networking.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Head of Finance GCC & Controller for Global account Qtel & Zain Group) Ericsson, UAE (July 2004 Present)
The company is among the world's largest telecommunications infrastructure and service providers. Joined as Financial Control MUME, promoted to head of financial control- MUME and subsequently given additional responsibilities with a promotion as the Head of Finance - GCC. Reporting Subsequently also given the role of Controller for Global business for Qtel and Zain.Accorded a series of promotions and scaled over 5 grade points in organizational hierarchy to merit the current position, as a testimony to achievement and business acumen. Designation Chronology: April 10 - Present: In addition to Head of Finance GCC, given role of Controller for Global account Qtel Group and Zain Group (After reorganization from market unit to region in March 10) March 09- In addition to head of financial control-MUME, given role of head of finance-GCC Jul '04 - Feb 10: Head of Financial Control MUME. Key Projects: Feb11- Responsible for new innovative business models from Finance domain for the region ( 22 countries) April 10 to August 10- Integration of acquired company LHS for the middle east region. April'09 Sep 09: Established the GCC controlling hub researching, defining and working on implementing key models in business control, project control, financial analysis and standard reporting procedures. Aug '04 - Dec '06: Headed the MUME SOX Project for the Middle East market unit comprising of 12 countries, spearheaded implementation and successfully incorporated its provision despite disparities in regulatory frameworks with full team support. Aug '04 - Dec '04 : Piloted the review of tax, legal and operational model for 13 entities performing under the aegis of the MUME in collaboration with officers from Ernst & Young, KSA and developed reports that serve as benchmarks for the company in many operational areas till date. Achievements: As Head of Finance - GCC Serving as part of the GCC Management team entrusted with the task of driving business and running operations, achieving profitability goals for the countries of UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Yemen. Rendering service as Unit - GCC Head when he is away with full strategic and operational responsibilities in addition to routine duties. Played a pivotal role in driving corporate restructuring efforts twice in the year 2009 across the GCC and implemented a series of measures that were instrumental towards cost optimization and regaining of market supremacy despite the recession. Responsibilities: As Head of Finance GCC Being part of the leadership team responsible to support the head of business to drive the business, run the operations and deliver the results. Being part of the leadership team for Global customer units for two large customers of the region. Responsible for developing relationship with CFO of Operators, understanding operators dynamics and strategy and aligning these with Key account strategy. 1

CHERAG SHAH
United Arab Emirates Dubai Mobile: +971505589314/+971556001030 Email: cheragshah@gmail.com

Conducting strategic review of the business together with business units and key accounts and ensuring that financial targets are distributed in fair manner across the key accounts based upon indices of forecasted business and market trends for the year. Formulating financial strategies, interpreting financial information, performing business forecasting, and efficiency of financial models. Responsible for measuring business performance of the various projects with operational KPI as well key accounts for overall performance against targets Analyzing change, conducting risk assessments, formulating long-term business plans, researching and reporting on factors influencing business performance. Overseeing issues pertinent to overall financial management, cost optimization and capital efficiency as envisaged in the strategic plans in addition to ensuring accuracy and robustness of financial figures. Providing adequate financial support and controls in the sales processes, operations and projects to ensure consistent achievement of targets and profitability. Part of negotiations strategy both within Ericson as well as with the customer for various Commercials -Terms & Conditions in Contracts including payment terms & customer financing Assuming responsibilities for local, legal and statutory compliance, tax payments and accounting, performing external and internal audits in addition to ensuring all systems enforced met their envisaged objectives. Ensuring that robust performance management systems are in place, coordinating IS/IT, security, real estate and operational development to ensure that all group interests are safeguarded whilst simultaneously planning for future expansion.

Achievements: - As Head of Financial Control MUME Optimized existent legal structure across different countries under the aegis of the MUME to provide strategic advantages for in terms of a lean business model, streamlined taxation processes and centralization of control functions. Served as a pivotal team member on 2 system implementation projects across the Middle East and rendered services as a catalyst for the organization wide change management initiative. Secured the coveted "Outstanding Rating (highest rating)" for performance for last 4 consecutive years as testimony to exemplary merit, acumen and work pro-activeness. Managed two finance teams, one for the GCC and another for regional financial control team, later named as MUME consisting of 13 countries mentioned earlier. Responsibilities: - As Head of Financial Control MUME Assuming responsibility for evolving all financial models for regional operations and ensuring compliance of the same with statutory and regulatory requirements. Planning, developing and delivering financial reporting frameworks including forecast preparations for the market unit, overseeing corporate governance functions according to company and MUME management requirements. Formulating and distributing standard financial report packages suitable to interpret business implications for various stakeholders. Managing all issues related to SOX compliance and changes in local finance process activities, demand management vs SSCs in addition to other functions. Augmenting and rendering expertise in key areas of tax, treasury and credit management functions simultaneously assisting in the development of the finance family capacities. Analyzing monthly performances vs the forecasted targets, highlighting the risks and impact of business on associated financials, ascertaining reasons for bottlenecks and steering the action plan towards all round success.

Manager - Assurance PriceWaterhouseCoopers, UAE

December 1999 June 2004

The company is the largest accounting firm worldwide and has a strong presence in Middle East. Worked in different positions and had 3 promotions in a span of 5 years. Gained multi industry expertise in oil & gas, power projects, infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, airlines and telecom sectors. Managed teams as well as clients with multi-culture backgrounds. Responsibilities: Analyzed business performance using a variety of tools and endeavored to understand the developments during the year that may have an impact on the business and the industry from a strategic advisory viewpoint. Assessed the robustness of the business, competency of the IT systems and internal control measures instituted for the client and fine tuned all systems to ensure peak performance. 2

CHERAG SHAH
United Arab Emirates Dubai Mobile: +971505589314/+971556001030 Email: cheragshah@gmail.com Determined audit risks for engagement, planned audit approaches and devised audit procedures accordingly to address audit risks identified as part of routine client exercises. Ensured that procedures and policies adopted by the client are in line with organizational objectives and confirmed their compliance to statutory laws and regulations. Supervised and reviewed the work done by the assignment team and finalized on deliverables, provided the clients advisory, accounting and auditing services as per their unique and evolving business requirements. Rendered strategic advisory services for a diverse clientele on significant weaknesses in systems and controls, provided recommendations on improving strategic and operational competence and adding value to their service offerings. Evaluated each client assigned using a customized client centric approach and devised solutions for them that best suited their business requirements in terms of market positioning, expansion plans and key result areas. February 1999 November 1999

Internal Auditor Al Rostamani Group, UAE

The company formed in the early 1950 is a diversified conglomerate holding businesses across automobile, travel and tourism, money exchange and retail trading sectors. Responsibilities: Oversaw audit operations and implementation of internal control measures for several group companies, performed systems reviews, evaluated capacity and competence, ascertained bottlenecks and devised plans to circumvent the same. Reported control weaknesses and potentially inherent risks within the group to the management and extended strategic expertise aimed at business optimization and fortifying financial processes. Conducted audits for several large group entities such as Thomas Cook Al Rostamani Travels, Destinations of the World, Arabian Automobiles and Central Trading Company. Devised the audit plan, assessed the risk management process and evaluated the robustness of the internal control mechanism enforced organization wide whilst evaluating it against industry best practice. Performed all routine and customary audit functions, maintained company and case documentation, formulated associated reports detailing findings and reported directly to the management. Actively communicated objectives across group companies to manage expectations, ensured satisfaction, made sure deadlines are met and led change efforts effectively.

Assistant Manager ABAS PriceWaterhouseCoopers, India

July 1994 January 1999

Over a period of 4 and a half years, secured two promotions to merit last designation, from the starting point of a Trainee. Designation Chronology: Apr '98 - Jan '99: Assistant Manager. Jul '97 - Mar '98: Junior Officer. Jul '94 - Jun '97: Professional Trainee. Highlights: Managed the finalization of statutory audits and several business advisory assignments like system reviews, management audits, tax audits and financial due diligence reviews. Carried out these highly specialized services for major MNCs and Indian corporates such as Castrol, Indian Aluminum, Lintas Advertising, Bharat Shell, Mondial and Premier Auto.

EDUCATION
The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad, India (IIM-A) (Worlds 11th ranked Management Institute by FT Global MBA Ranking 2011) Certification, General Management Program (Executive Program Oct 2010- May 2011) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, India Highest professional degree in Finance in India Chartered Accountant Achievement: Secured 37th rank on all India basis in ICAI intermediate examination. 3

May 2011 July 1997

CHERAG SHAH
United Arab Emirates Dubai Mobile: +971505589314/+971556001030 Email: cheragshah@gmail.com Articleship: 3 years of articleship as a mandatory requirement post CA qualification, trained in PwC The Institute of Costs and Works Accountants of India, India Highest professional degree in Cost and Management Accountancy July 1994

Mumbai University, India Bachelor's degree in Commerce

June 1994

Achievements: Secured 1st rank in second and third year of bachelors degree. Best Student Award for the year 1993-94 from the Rotary Club of Mumbai for outstanding performance in college. Key Training Attended: (at Ericsson) 2009: Generate Energy. 2007: Leadership Core Curriculum. 2006: Customer Financing Course.

PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth Nationality Languages Visa Status Marital Status No. of Dependants Driving License : : : : : : : 6th December 1973 India English, Hindi & Gujarati Residency Visa (Transferable) Married Two Yes