Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Additional Information

Timeline

Otherroles

Awards

Otherroles

Hi, I’m

Aakash Sharma

Bangalore,Karnataka

Summary

Senior Executive leader, operations, tax & compliance expert & strategist with 21 + years of experience that includes more than 18 + years in the Financial Management industry, Big 4 and Global Bank
Demonstrated expertise in strategic, analytical & operational execution and management of initiatives, having successfully spearheaded complex projects from people, technological as well as commercial standpoints.
Proven competence in setting up & driving CoEs (Centre of Excellence) from grounds up and scaling them up into sustainable & profitable operations.
Experience of working closely with C-suit executives across organizations while driving strategic objectives.
Expertise includes Finance Transformation, Global Taxation (Indirect, Direct, Fatca & CRS Compliance and Transfer Pricing), Budgeting, Project Finance, Accounts (FP&A), Costing, MIS, Project Management, and financial Analytics etc.
Adept at analyzing the financial viability of new ventures/ new projects and forecast funding requirements.
Experience in conceptualizing and implementing financial procedures, Risk and compliance framework, internal financial controls, and costing.
An effective leader with excellent communication, analytical, team building and relationship management skills.
Adept in engaging with diverse stakeholders, internal as well as external including Senior Leadership, Regulators (Tax Office), Customers and Partners. Expertise in driving cross-functional resources.
Experienced in formulating business strategies, addressing operational issues, resolving performance bottlenecks, and achieving revenue and profitability objectives.
Managing 3rdParty suppliers and outsourcing to ODCs (Offshore delivery Centres)

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Head of Tax CoE (Director)

05.2020 - Current

Job overview

Setup Tax Center of Excellence (CoE) for bank
Spearheading team of highly experienced people supporting complex tax compliance across 20+ (India, Australia, NZ, UK, USA, SG, others) geographies, shouldering dual responsibility entailing tax compliance as well as reporting, analysis, and recommendations for way ahead
Ensuring Global Tax Compliance with: Direct Tax Compliance, Indirect Tax Compliance, Fringe Benefit Tax Compliance, Payroll Tax Compliance, Transfer Pricing including CbCr and FATCA/CRS Compliance
Work with country CEO and CFOs to drive Tax strategy and planning
Ensure global best practices are institutionalized within organization and benchmark practices adopted to deliver best result
Represent organization at various forums (Local and International) including leveraging with Tax authorities and working with external consultants and government officials
Ensuring all relevant Tax policies and procedures and framework are followed in line with Tax compliance and reporting.
Successfully managed end to end signing of Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) Bilateral and Unilateral
Work and mange Third Party consultants (Managed Services) staff to ensure and drive efficiency and operational excellence

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Vice President Tax Operations

05.2018 - 05.2020

Job overview

Responsible for various Tax operation and compliance for different geographies
Transitioned various Indirect / Direct and Transfer Pricing process
Played a stellar role in setting up the CoE and scaling up the same from 6 to 20 people, while also designing SOPs and standardizing the practices, formalizing Risk, and compliance framework across the function
Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Assistant Vice President – FP&A / Analytics / Tax

06.2016 - 04.2018

Job overview

Heading FP&A and Cost Analytics team in Bangalore supporting Group and various divisions of the bank.
Work with 3rd party outsourcing partner to drive efficiency and productivity
Preparing research reports covering company’s overview and business segments, Industry outlook and trends, recent news, financial analysis, key credit ratios, capital structure and liquidity and credit weakness and strengths
Directing industry and thematic reports covering industry landscape, competitor analysis and recommendation on business driver performance
Driving analytics function, while having been the focal point for developing in-house Analytics capability and transitioning same from external consultant
Driving budgeting, forecasting and analysis in collaboration with business to ensure best possible outcome

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Senior Portfolio Manager - Institutional Banking

10.2013 - 05.2016

Job overview

Managed the investment slate of $320m year on year, with focus on strategy and prioritize investments for the bank
Part of strategic decisions involving setting up branches in various countries, with a firm ROI evaluation
Supported COO/CFO by overseeing financial, tracking benefits and budgets, providing analysis and information to facilitate informed decision making across the IIB Project Portfolio
Collaborated with FP&A and regional finance team & maintain the optimization level, amortization, and benefit realization
Worked closely will all PMs & PFMs across globe to make sure quality & accurate report is presented to senior stakeholders

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

Associate Manager – Indirect Taxation

03.2012 - 09.2013

Job overview

Responsible of Australia India Tax process for the bank
Transition of work from Australia to GCC and setting up team from scratch
Initiated tenure with hands on roles involving Indirect Taxation, while ensuring high level of compliance
Cleared all holding transactions and claimed back huge ITC (Input Tax credit) from ATO (Australian Tax office) in first 3 months of process transition.
Managing team of 15 Tax professionals

ERNST & YOUNG

Assistant Manager – Finance and Accounts

12.2006 - 02.2012

Job overview

Part of Financial Planning & Analysis team which included billing, budgeting, talking to partners and maintain ERP (Engagement realisation profit) for the partner as well as Transition roles during the tenure
Played pivotal role in driving transition process from US and Canada, successfully setting up team and ensured seamless operationalization
Setting up of CoE for core finance teams (F&A, GL, AP / AR)
Participation in top-down exercise, interlock budget/forecast between Business and Country heads
Support Business Partners in ad-hoc / bespoke analysis and financial metrics reporting.

S.O.S. FINANCE (Reliance Infocom)

Agency Manager

11.2004 - 08.2005

Job overview

Management of end-to-end finance and compliance process for the agency
Maintain inventory, cash flows, and also prepare financial reports
Liaise with distributors for confirming sales target
Work with company on debt realization and settlements of accounts.

Education

Indian Institute of Management (IIM B), Bangalore
, Bengaluru, India

Advance Program Management (AMP) from Leadership, Management, Finance

12-2023

Indian Institute of Planning & Management, Ahmedabad
, Ahmedabad, India

MBA from Accounting And Finance

12-2006

Gujarat University
, Ahmedabad, India

Bachelor of Commerce from Accounting And Finance

06-2005

Skills

Financial analysis and planning
Finance Transformation
Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory Liaison
Transition Management
Financial Control

Strategy & Leadership
Hiring and coaching
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Cross-functional team leadership
Strategic financial planning
Operational Excellence

Additional Information

Part of Core CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Committee of the bank, which is responsible in approving CSR spend