Haroon Patel (CFE) AGA (S.A)

Experience

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  BDO Spencer Steward (KZN) Inc

  Jan 2003 - Mar 2006

  Trainee Accountant

  • Performing duties as audit senior.• Planning of audits including logistical issues, risk assessment and budgeting.• Supervision and review of junior staff work.• Coaching and appraisal of junior staff members.• Review and documentation of accounting systems and internal control.• Apply the correct interpretation of accounting information in terms of GAAP in the preparation of annual financial statements.• Preparations and review of tax computations and annual tax returns for different business entities• Demonstrate the ability to prepare or review the relevant indirect tax returns for submission to South African Revenue Service.• Preparation of company secretarial functions including preparation of director’s reports, minutes of shareholder and director meetings.• Analysis of clients’ financial statements and management accounts, incorporating an assessment of key performance indicators.• Preparation and review of fixed asset registers• Facilitate discussions of the management letter between the client and the audit partner.• Initiate and effect journal entries• Perform reconciliation’s between control accounts and subsidiary ledgers as well as between subsidiary ledger accounts and third party statements. • The ability to identify and solve unstructured problems in unfamiliar settings and to apply problem-solving skills in a constructive process.• The ability to work with others, particularly in groups, to influence them, to lead them and to withstand and resolve conflict Show less

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  Deloitte

  Mar 2006 - Aug 2006

  Accountant

  Worked as an independent contractor for Deloitte at various clients and an accountant.• Capturing of accounts• Filing of invoices and documentation• Prepare and update cashbook and perform monthly bank reconciliation.• Processing of journals and reconciliation of control accounts• Assist in preparation of monthly management accounts and forecasts• Preparation of accounts till Trial Balance as well as month end closing process• Compile year end audit file and schedule for external auditors.• Maintain and update the Fixed Asset register and reconcile asset accounts in the general ledger.• Facilitate continuous improvement to the finance department.• Assist with the compilation of year end audit and tax packs Show less

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  Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd

  Dec 2006 - Jun 2007

  General accounts-Tax assistant

  • Assistant to the specialist tax manager• Assistance in preparation of company tax returns, year end audit and tax packs• Review of capital / asset accounts to ensure correct treatment and classification of major expenses for both accounting and tax purposes e.g. Overseas travel, consulting fees, repairs and maintenance, re-arrangement costs.• Effective and active participation with both internal and external advisors in resolving queries and finding solutions to ensure that the company’s manufacturing assets and related tax allowances are correctly applied.• Ensure proper compliance with legislation ( IFRS, VAT Act, Income Tax Act )• Ad-hoc tax analysis, management reports and financial schedules• Cash flow forecasts and variance analysis• Preparation of general ledger reconciliation for certain creditor accounts Show less

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  Group Five Kwa-Zulu Natal (Pty) Ltd

  Jul 2007 - Apr 2011

  Accountant

  • Prepare and assist Financial Manager in cash flow forecasts• Liaise with site managers and suppliers• Complete monthly returns to South African Revenue Services• Supervise Creditors clerks on site and Head Office• Process creditor invoices for payment• Prepare summary of all costs to be invoiced to joint ventures on a monthly basis• Prepare back-up packs for the invoices• Perform monthly debtor reconciliations and follow up outstanding payments.• Ensure validity of all credit requests before issuing credit notes• Receive invoices from all joint venture partners and distribute to relevant contract director• Maintain a schedule of all partner invoices received for each Joint venture• Process all authorized invoices • Perform monthly creditor reconciliations between ledger and supplier statements.• Produce trial balances per company, collate balance sheet reconciliations and prepare monthly reconciliations for Joint Venture companies.• Investigate reconciling items on trial balance reconciliations• Produce payment reports after checking reconciliations received from creditors department and forward to cashbook clerk.• Reconcile final payment report to CAMS transfer sheet.• Provide appropriate financial assistance, training and advice to finance and non finance staff.• Ensure proper financial reporting systems and accounting records are maintained in accordance with sound internal control and governance framework.• Review business processes and systems with a view to improve processing accuracy and efficiencies.• Use financial application software to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and reports.• Major projects in which I was involved in include – The new Moses Mabhida Soccer Durban Stadium and new King Shaka International Airport Show less

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  Unilever

  May 2011 - Apr 2021

  Unilever commenced with the deployment of a new operating model across the globe. The project involves a deep dive of tax processes in country, doing a fit gap analysis, documenting any standard variations, and assisting with the knowledge transfer of these processes to a new 3rd party outsource provider. I participate in the project in several ways assisting the different workstream leads. The various workstreams, process, technology, business partnering and communication in deployment are led by experienced tax professionals focusing on providing support to them. Responsibilities include: • Assisting the deep dive, determination of the validity of retaining these or whether the current process can be adapted to the standard. • Active participation in the deployment program • Monitoring progress, co-ordinating tasks collating and reviewing data and providing feedback to the central deployment team • Attending meetings and calls with UniOps and the country teams • Interaction with new Outsource Provider in country to assist in their onboarding • Finalise UniOps, OSP and local market KPIs /SLAs. • Conduct RACI workshops with all stakeholders (e.g. UniOps, Market Finance, Outsource Provider, External Auditors), - review and validate applicability of other taxes filings with local tax / finance • Document local SOP for CIT compliance and reporting, Indirect Compliance, TP Compliance to align with Global SOP - document tax data requirement in the global templates per the Deployment playbook.Key Achievement:1. Wave 1 of 7 countries completed2. Wave 2 of 8 countries completed3. Employed the agile methodology -project management4. Communicating effectively in a cross-group environment Show less • Maintain and update the company's Supply Chain risk universe.• Perform continuous risk and control assessments of Company's various business processes across South Africa, East Africa and West Africa.• Under general direction from the Supply Chain Finance Director, independently plan, perform, document and report on routine and complex reviews.• Review and analyze business processes, systems and controls, make recommendations to resolve control weaknesses to further develop and implement internal controls and procedures.• Collaborate with, and understand the needs of, the business and provide practical solutions and recommendations that enhance the business.• Manage relationships with key business stakeholders regarding process efficiencies and implementation of remedial action.• Build effective and trusting relationships with staff, management and peers• Manage a variety of stakeholders and their expectations through regular communications.• Implement innovative KPI’s to improve operational and financial efficiency and add value to the Supply Chain Finance function . This includes an increase in the use of CAATs.• Provide functional advice to business stakeholders to obtain business process improvement.• Identify/ create best business practices• Facilitate training to less experienced finance and non-finance positions by creating process flow charts and standard operating procedures • Ensure compliance with the applicable laws, and standards of business conduct reflected in our Code of Conduct.• Assist the Group Security with risk assessments and investigations as and when required.• Liaise with Country Heads at the company's operations on all investigations and recommend strategies how to prevent fraud on a pro-active basis.• Assist Internal Audit Management in identifying and managing financial, operational, compliance, and fraud risks• Provide data analytics support from a forensic perspective Show less • Provide strategic leadership of the groups control policy function, including the development and delivery of the controls understanding strategy.• Develop and maintain a control policy, clarify control frameworks, standards and methodologies including creation of a training program.• Maintain a professional department with excellent knowledge, skill and experience to meet the framework mandate.• Maintain open and effective working relations with operating management based in different continents.• Review and maintain group policies.• Review business processes and document the control requirements in the process.• Maintain and develop professional knowledge base regarding regulations, best practice, tools and standards.• Provide expert input to countries requiring relevant control training and risk policies.• Annalise SOX testing results and perform root cause analysis.• Review the logic used during the report design stage to assess if the report meets the control requirements. Show less • Perform duties as an Internal Audit professional with the capability to maintain and execute a risk based internal audit program including financial, operational, system and process audits of the company's business operations. • Establishing and documenting a robust risk management framework for the audit function in terms of standard reporting templates, audit calendars and other functional processes and procedures; and ensuring the company meets global standards• Understanding, documenting, and testing the key risks and controls within various businesses and operations• Manage a team of experienced internal auditors to effectively carry out internal audit and risk management of the various units and subsidiaries of the company with a view to identify weaknesses and/or non compliance and recommend improvements • Providing quality assurance review and sign off for internal audit reports • Perform control testing to ensure SOX compliance.• Establish and execute recommended plans of work, based on an annual analysis of perceived risks. • Develop and embed contemporary best audit policies practices within the company.• Assess the adequacy of internal controls throughout the entire organization and recommend improvements in management controls designed to safeguard organizational resources• Ensure all actions of the Internal Audit department are conducted objectively and with independence. • Coordinate work with external auditors as appropriate. • Increasing understanding and knowledge of Internal Controls within South Africa and Southern Africa( Zimbabwe; Zambia; Malawi & Mozambique)• Following the Project Training Program relating to the Global Internal Controls Projects• Promoting the awareness of the Internal Controls Project and compliance with the Internal Control Framework throughout local organizations in order to achieve a change in cultures. Show less

  • Future of Tax – Deployment Manager

    Sept 2020 - Apr 2021

  • Supply Chain Finance Risk and Controls Accountant

    Jul 2017 - Apr 2021

  • Assistant Manager- Reporting and Controls Expertise

    Apr 2016 - Jun 2017

  • Internal Auditor

    May 2011 - Apr 2016
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  Defy Appliances

  Apr 2021 - Jan 2023

  Supply Chain Admin & Controls Manager

  • Implement stock management controls and processes.• Oversee warehouse operations across 5 sites.• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for warehouse and operational processes• Optimise systems to manage stock levels, orders, delivery arrangements and transportation• Analyse existing processes and propose improvements/ methods to develop business performance within the constraints of costs, legal and environmental legislation and employees’ skills.• Analise data from IT systems to evaluate performance and quality and to plan improvements• Maintaining statistical and financial records.• Manage department budgets• Allocate and manage staff resources according to changing needs• Manage staff training issues and motivate members of the team• Set objectives, train, supervise and appraising staff.• Develop e-commerce and digitisation opportunities for the department• Implement health and safety procedures• Billing of customers• Preparation and processing of financial claims• Resolve queries both internally and externally around outstanding invoices and credit note claims• Processing vendor debits and credits for returns• Tracking and tracing shipments returned from customer• Approve credit notes issued on customer accounts after investigations• Streamline Credit note claims management process including implementing various policies and procedures• Provide services to all business requirements and ensure optimal handling of all claims and investigations by developing and providing training for all business units.• Analyse all claims and identify all risks and ensure processing of all claims as per company policy• Databank claim reasons on products and customers for analytical investigation and insights.• Responding to high volume emails from internal and external customers and departmentsKey Achievement:1. Improve stock accuracy across all branches2. Substantially reduce customer financial claims for credit notes Show less

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  Unilever

  May 2023 - Aug 2024

  Tax & Treasury Assistant Manager

  • Assist and support the Tax manager in ensuring the integrity of the direct and indirect tax of the Australian and New Zealand businesses.• Act as the "bridge" between finance and tax operations in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring understanding processes in both functions which underpin compliance and reporting.• Manage 3rd Parties to ensure timely preparation and accurate submission of filings relating to tax accounting, direct tax and indirect tax of the Australian and New Zealand business.• Support the Tax Manager in respect of preparing materials for the Annual Compliance Report (ACR)• Manage and support 3rd Party provider with quarterly and year-end tax accounting.• Drive simplification in tax/treasury tasks & processes Show less

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  Talley's Limited

  Jul 2024 - now

  Group Senior Internal Auditor