The Human resources,
Pakistan
Subject: Application for the Position of Senior Officer/Grant Coordinator
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Muhammad Awais, I recently worked as a compliance Executive Under European Union Funded Program in Sindh Pakistan implemented through National Rural support program (NRSP). I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA-UK) globally recognized Accounting body. Along with ACCA I have a postgraduate degree (M.COM) with specialization in Finance and business studies.
I am associated with development and business sector for the last Ten years and specialized in field of Audit, Compliance and Financial Management with practical knowledge of donor specific compliance and audit modalities, which includes; Audit, Finance and compliance portfolio of several multi million dollars’ projects funded by different donor such as European Union, USAID, Action Aid, Water Aid, Dubai care and by the government of Sindh. Besides audit and compliance, I have an in-depth understanding on Accounting and budgeting from a development perspective. For more than six & half years, I served as a compliance Executive in European Union funded poverty alleviation programs (SUCCESS) for rural communities of Sindh Province.
During my association with NRSP I have developed sector wise compliance systems, reporting tools and pre-audit compliance checklist for the finance and Program components. Further I have also led training of staff on compliance system within different departments of the organization during my career.
Before this assignment, I served as the Regional Finance Executive in ITA where I was Responsible to smoothly ensured the Financial Management activities in Sindh and Baluchistan). During my Career I’ve also worked as an Internal Auditor in AMRDO Microfinance organization on risk based audit approaches to ensure the compliance with organizational policy. I have also served as Auditor in S.M Suhail Chartered Accountant member firm of Leading edge Alliance Global (LEA) I was engaged in Internal and external audit assignment of various organization,
You will find me a reliable person who has a professional, calm and honest approach to all work related matters with technical deliverable skills and problem resolution approach.
My experience in performing different job roles has given me the opportunity to take leadership and show responsibilities having worked at stiff deadlines and managing teams help me to possess the required stress tolerant and deadline meeting attitude.
Please refer to the accompanying CV for more detailed information regarding my abilities and skill sets.
Your Sincerely
Muhammad Awais Arain
RESPONSIBILITES INCLUDED
· Ensured compliance with EU accounting policies, procedures & internal control systems as stipulated in the Agreements signed for the different sections of program which included Human resource development, Finance, Administration and procurement sections.
· Participated in formulating Program implementation policies and procedures to improve internal controls Management and compliance system.
· Ensured the compliance of Procurement and its regulation as Mentioned in EU-PRAG document and as per PPRA rules.
· Researched, examined and tracked the potential conflicts/risks and took preventive measures to overcome arising risk.
· Ensured the Anti Money Laundering compliance as per the AML/CFT regulations and NACTA compliance before releasing vendor’s payments.
· Ensured the procedural and financial compliance of Sub Grant Agreements (Community Investment Fund, Income generating Grant) signed with Program communities.
· Ensured the Budget utilization the Compliance under Institutional sub-granting.
· Reviewed programs operations such as procurement, accounts payable, travel expense reimbursement, cash management, human resources processes.
· Managed and monitored remediation efforts that result from individual internal audits, ensuring the
documentation of completed corrective action plans by responsible Regional and districts offices.
· Periodically monitored the acceptance process of subcontractors and vendors in accordance with the third party due diligence policy.
· Took sessions in professional development Program on compliance issues to increase the staff Capacity.
· Acted as an Advisory role to Identify Financial and program compliance risk with in Daily program operations.
· Contributed in different projects pre Audit Assignments and vouching of financial documentations on NRSP Regional Management Instructions.
Deliverables included:
• Developed Consulting Services and Performed assignments requested by management and in accordance with Audit plan.
• Communicated audit observations with process owners, documenting responses and issuing final report to Audit Committee.
• Prepared Audit program and executive test of control.
• Identified design weaknesses in Internal Controls and reported to Management.
• Understood Control environment, developing process flows and performed Risk- controls.
• Performed special assignments whenever required by Management.
Deliverables included:
· Directed the day-to-day accounting operations, which included oversight and supervision of the Finance team; reviewing of all payment vouchers, bank payment instructions and journals, reviewing and validating recommendations of Disbursement Officers and approve processing of payment and reviewing monthly bank and account reconciliations.
· Prepared, analyzed and presented financial reports (income statements and balance
sheets) in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements to senior management.
· Managed the Organization cash flow and forecasting as per needs of Program Sectors
· Updated and implemented all necessary business policies and accounting practices; periodically update the Organizational accounting manual.
· Ensured the Regular assessment of factors which may give rise to financial risk and developed the internal control to mitigate the risks.
· Coordinated the annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with different ongoing projects of Organization.
Responsibilities included:
• Prepared detailed reports on internal control weaknesses and take suitable Action thereon and discussed the deficiency with donor.
• Managed the financial activates of project as per Project document and Organization policy.
• Prepare variance analysis on expenditures according to the budget
• Ensure appropriate charging of project expenses under multi-donor environment
• Used Peachtree Accounting software to generate reports.
Responsibilities included:
· Planned engagements, conducted initial planning meetings with clients to understand & co- develop expectations, and designed audit strategies in consultation with engagement manager.
· Obtained a thorough understanding of the nature of client’s business and regulatory environment in which it was operating identification of critical success factors and key performance indicators.
· Coordinated and liaised with lawyers, internal audit function, zakat and tax consultant and higher management to discuss and evaluate the significant matters.
· Ensured appropriateness of accounting policies, accounting treatments and adequacy of disclosures as required by IFRSs.
· Developed and prepared analytical and substantive procedures pertaining to each line item of the financial statements.
· Assisted clients in preparation and presentation of financial statements that also included disclosures as per IFRS/IAS, and ensured compliance with all applicable reporting requirements.
· Communicated audit progress and findings by providing information in meetings, highlighted the unresolved issues and analyzing the strategic aspect of further planned audit procedures.
· Monitored financial control systems and identified weakness & formally communicated in Management letter.
· Ensured timely completion and submission of key deliverables to the client within stringent deadlines.
· Reviewed the work of audit team and keeping track of project timelines/budget.
· Successfully progressed the quality assurance (QA) and quality controls reviews (QCR) throughout the audit engagements.
· Performed multiple projects with strict deadlines and reporting made to the senior manager and engagement partner.
Responsibilities Included:
• Co-ordinate within the team to develop a thorough understanding of business processes for the relative assignment and document the processes in flowcharts and/or process narratives.
• Evaluate the adequacy of process design and the effectiveness of controls in meeting business and control objectives.
• Determine compliance with policies and procedures.
• Propose practical and value added recommendations to address control weaknesses and/or process inefficiencies.
• Organize and reference work papers for review of Manager, Internal Audit
• Preparation of a concise and informative audit report to effectively communicate the findings and recommendations to the relevant department and Directors.
• Participate in meetings with Directors and relevant heads of departments at the end of each month, providing clear explanations for identified issues.
• Contribute to the safeguarding of corporate assets and the interests of Members by ensuring that appropriate internal controls are in place and operating effectively.
• Assist the Manager, Internal Audit in the development of the monthly Internal Audit plan.