SYED ISHAQ
Senior Finance Leader
Hyderabad
Summary
Seasoned finance leader with over 25 years of expertise in driving profitability, compliance, and financial strategy across retail, FMCG, manufacturing, oil & gas, and construction industries in the Gulf and India. A CMA (USA) and ICWAI-certified professional with a proven track record in cost optimization, risk management, M&A due diligence, and ERP implementation. Adept at reducing operational costs by 25%+, leading cross-cultural teams, and aligning financial strategies with business goals to maximize growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Finance Manager
Zad Holding Co. Q.P.S.C.
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: A publicly listed conglomerate on the Qatar Stock Exchange, with diversified interests in FMCG, construction, real estate, and logistics
- Led financial planning and analysis (FP&A) for a 200M USD diversified conglomerate, achieving 22% EBITDA growth through cost rationalization and contract renegotiations across multiple business segments
- Conducted in-depth financial reporting, KPI analysis, forecasting, and variance analysis, facilitating strategic decision-making with senior leadership
- Ensured 100% compliance with IFRS & GCC regulatory standards across five subsidiaries, reducing audit discrepancies by 30%
- Managed external audits while ensuring strict adherence to IFRS, GAAP, and VAT requirements
- A publicly listed conglomerate on the Qatar Stock Exchange, with diversified interests in FMCG, construction, real estate, and logistics
Finance Manager
Energy Technical Services
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: ISO 9001-2008 certified firm specializing in Oil & Gas and Petrochemical projects, including Qatar Petroleum turnarounds and EPIC construction, with 40+ years of experience and 2,500+ employees and a key partner of Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmed Jassim Al Thani Group
- Led due diligence and post-merger integration for a 50M USD acquisition, increasing market share by 15%
- Developed and executed financial strategies, budgeting, and forecasting, aligning them with corporate objectives
- Managed a finance team of 15+ professionals, overseeing a 40M USD annual budget
- ISO 9001-2008 certified firm specializing in Oil & Gas and Petrochemical projects, including Qatar Petroleum turnarounds and EPIC construction, with 40+ years of experience and 2,500+ employees and a key partner of Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmed Jassim Al Thani Group
Accountant - Chief Accountant - Regional Finance Manager
Bindawood Holding
01.2003 - 01.2013
- Company Overview: A leading Saudi conglomerate with 3,500+ employees and a diverse portfolio of 16 companies across Retail, FMCG, Manufacturing, and Real Estate
- Owner of Danube Company Ltd
- Automated financial reporting via JDA ERP, reducing month-end closing time by 35% and enhancing data accuracy
- Performed financial analysis, variance analysis, and cost center expense reviews to drive informed decision-making
- Identified internal control weaknesses, providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership for corrective actions
- A leading Saudi conglomerate with 3,500+ employees and a diverse portfolio of 16 companies across Retail, FMCG, Manufacturing, and Real Estate
- Owner of Danube Company Ltd
Lecturer – Finance
Osmania University
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Company Overview: A leading public university and one of India's oldest institutions, known for its strong academic programs in finance, management, and economics
- Delivered lectures on Corporate Finance, Risk Management, and Financial Strategy for undergrad/postgrad students
- Designed an industry-aligned finance curriculum, adopted by 10+ institutions to bridge academia and Industry
- Mentored students on career development and helped them achieve CMA/CFA certifications
- A leading public university and one of India's oldest institutions, known for its strong academic programs in finance, management, and economics
Education
CMA (USA) - undefined
Institute of Management Accountants
ICWAI - undefined
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India
B.com. - undefined
Osmania University
HyderabadSkills
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Cost Optimization & Profitability Enhancement
Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence
Budgeting & Forecasting
GCC Market Expertise
Corporate Finance Strategy
IFRS & GAAP Compliance
ERP Implementation & Automation
Risk Management & Audits
Stakeholder & Board-Level Reporting
ERP Systems: JDA
ERP Systems: Oracle
ERP Systems: QuickBooks
Financial Modeling: Advanced Excel & Financial Modeling
Data Analytics: Tableau
Data Analytics: Power BI
Data Analytics: AI-driven Financial analytics
Data Analytics: Process Automation
Compliance: IFRS
Compliance: GCC VAT
Compliance: GAAP
Affiliations
- Member, The Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India (ICMAI)
- Active participant in local and national finance and accounting forums
Personal Details
30 days’ notice, Available on Request
Achievements And Professional Development
- Cost Optimization: Reduced operational costs by 25% (5M USD annual savings) via vendor consolidation & process automation.
- Profit Enhancement: Led a 4M USD cost control project at Energy Technical Services (Qatar), improving net margins by 12%.
- Regulatory Compliance: Successfully implemented VAT compliance across KSA, reducing tax liabilities by 15%.
- Digital Transformation: Spearheaded the integration of AI-driven financial analytics, enhancing predictive analysis & reporting.
Timeline
Senior Finance Manager
Zad Holding Co. Q.P.S.C.
01.2016 - 01.2024
Finance Manager
Energy Technical Services
01.2013 - 01.2016
Accountant - Chief Accountant - Regional Finance Manager
Bindawood Holding
01.2003 - 01.2013
Lecturer – Finance
Osmania University
01.1999 - 01.2002
CMA (USA) - undefined
Institute of Management Accountants
ICWAI - undefined
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India
B.com. - undefined
Osmania University