Muhammad Farooq Shaikh, CFA, Finance Expert in Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Muhammad Farooq Shaikh, CFA

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Mississauga, ON, Canada
Toptal Member Since
September 6, 2022

Farooq is a seasoned financial consultant and a CFA with a diverse skill set and strong commercial acumen. His experience in the FMCG and technology sectors in functions like FP&A, corporate controlling and finance, and business valuation and planning make him an ideal fit for teams aiming at value through better financial planning. Farooq’s substantial commercial background helps him develop a broader perspective of interdependencies between different functions, enhancing value for his clients.

Excel ExpertFinancial ForecastingBudgeting ConsultantAccounts ReceivableInventoryInvestment BankingXeroFractional CFOStartup Funding ConsultantFinancial ModelingChartered Financial Analyst (CFA)ValuationFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Revenue & Expense ProjectionsAccountingAccount Reconciliation

Career Highlights

Global Financial Planning and Analysis Director
Afiniti
Ice Cream and SG&A Category Finance Manager
Royal FrieslandCampina
Treasury and Insurance Manager
Royal FrieslandCampina

Education Highlights

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Institute of Business Administration (IBA)

Certification Highlights

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute

Case Studies

Work Experience

Head of Finance

2022 - PRESENT
DealCart
  • Built the finance function of an eCommerce business, including business finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), controllership, treasury, and tax and compliance.
  • Developed monitoring and implemented internal control systems for all financial and statutory matters.
  • Performed detailed analysis of business spending and identified cost optimization and improvement areas.
Focus areas: Startup Consulting, Startup Funding, Budget Controls, Finance, Financial Modeling, Excel Expert, eCommerce, Accounting, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Fundraising, CFO, Strategic Planning & Execution, Banking & Finance, Startups, Technology, Controller, Equity Research, Cash Flow Management, Cash Flow Analysis, DCF Valuation, Excel 365, DCF Modeling, Financing, Investments, Financial Forecasting, Business to Consumer (B2C), Pitch Decks, Equity Raises, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Investor Relations, Angel/Seed Funding, Business Planning, Reporting, B2C, Scaling, Budgeting Consultant, Mobile Apps, Xero, QuickBooks Online, Audits, Complex Account Reconciliations, Process Automation, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Process Design, Operational Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Startup Funding Consultant, AR/AP Management, Accounts Payable, Small Business Management, Business Advisory, Small Business, Delivery Management, Business Reporting, Middle East, Investor Presentations

Global Financial Planning and Analysis Director

2021 - 2022
Afiniti
  • Coordinated preparation, presentation, consolidation, and corporate reporting of actuals, forecasts, and budgets for all the markets of Afiniti and performed variance analysis to explain the performance differences.
  • Collaborated closely with business teams on setting P&L goals, reallocating resources, and aligning the business strategy with high-level financial goals.
  • Automated operational processes, improved tools, and delivered analysis and insights for executive reports, finance metrics, monthly P&L reviews, and board of directors' presentations.
  • Performed detailed analysis of business spending and identified cost optimization and improvement areas.
  • Provided senior management with insights regarding financial issues affecting operations and growth.
Focus areas: Planning, Forecasting, Budget Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Control & Cost Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections, Budgeting, Business Models, Analysis, Excel Expert, eCommerce, Business to Business (B2B), Accounting, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Pricing, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CFO, Cash Flow Modeling, Strategy, Wealth Management, Investment Portfolio Management, Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Banking & Finance, Financial Markets, Business Strategy, United States, Technology, SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Equity Research, Cash Flow Management, Cash Flow Analysis, DCF Valuation, Excel 365, DCF Modeling, Investments, Financial Forecasting, Cost Accounting, Equity Raises, Venture Capital, US GAAP, Private Equity, Investor Relations, Business Planning, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Reporting, Budgeting Consultant, Xero, QuickBooks Online, Audits, UK GAAP, Inter-company Reconcilation, Reconciliation, Turkey, Process Automation, Process Design, Operational Finance, Enterprise SaaS, AR/AP Management, Accounts Payable, Professional Services, Business Advisory, Small Business, Business Reporting, Middle East, Investor Presentations

Corporate Controller

2021 - 2021
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Prepared multiple financial analyses to support the management's decision-making process while being a business partner for the global executive board.
  • Reported on the company's financial performance to the management, supervisory board, and other stakeholders.
  • Steered multiple strategic projects to strengthen and improve the company's future financial performance.
Focus areas: Budget Controls, Corporate Finance, Business Models, Analysis, Excel Expert, Accounts Receivable, Accounting, Fractional CFO, Inventory Management, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Cash Flow Modeling, Strategy, Investment Portfolio Management, Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Strategy, Controller, Excel 365, DCF Modeling, Food & Beverage, Financial Forecasting, Cost Accounting, Investment Funds, Equity Raises, Business Planning, United Kingdom, Audits, Inter-company Reconcilation, Reconciliation, Operational Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Business Reporting, Middle East

Ice Cream and SG&A Category Finance Manager

2020 - 2020
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Provided financial planning, budgeting, and decision-making support to the ice cream business unit (ICBU) and financial performance reporting for the management and board of directors.
  • Evaluated capital expenditures and their re-appraisals to compare the performance against initial plans.
  • Executed companywide budgeting and tracking of selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) compared to budget, forecast, and prior year to ensure cost optimization and delivery of targets.
  • Worked with SG&A departments and non-financial budget holders to provide high-quality, accessible information, drive overhead insights, and bring more value and savings to the business.
  • Performed analysis to determine financial feasibilities for all new products and projects within the business.
  • Conducted risk analysis on an ongoing basis by evaluating the impact of external and internal factors on the business’s financial performance.
  • Implemented budgetary controls for all expenses and ensured all were incurred after approvals from necessary authorities.
Focus areas: P&L Management, P&L Forecasting, Budget Modeling, Annual Budgets, Budget Controls, Capital Budgeting, Control & Cost Analysis, Variance Reporting, Business Feasibilities, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Budgeting, Business Models, Analysis, Excel Expert, Accounts Receivable, Accounting, Inventory, Fractional CFO, Inventory Management, Pricing, Market Research, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Strategy, Retail & Wholesale, Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Strategy, DCF Valuation, Excel 365, DCF Modeling, Food & Beverage, Financial Forecasting, Manufacturing, Cost Accounting, Investor Relations, Business Planning, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Consumer Products, Scaling, Budgeting Consultant, Audits, Complex Account Reconciliations, Reconciliation, Process Automation, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Operational Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Business Reporting

Treasury and Insurance Manager

2017 - 2019
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Reduced the working capital by USD 20 million by managing the improvement of 15 days in days payable outstanding (DPO) through onboarding vendors from cash payment to vendor financing at favorable rates.
  • Led the insurance integration with the RFC global insurance program, ensuring the best possible insurance coverage in the most economical manner bringing savings of USD 350 thousand in premium costs.
  • Decreased the weighted average interest costs by 30 basis points through better debt instruments structuring and placement. Led and managed reduction in financing, payment and collection costs by 20%.
  • Managed cash flow planning and liquidity management for payments and collection, ensuring the best utilization of funds by negotiating and arranging loans and all banking facilities. Performed Forex and interest rate risk management.
  • Formulated strategic long-term and short-term cash flow plans, performed sensitivity analysis and risk modeling, arranged cost-effective funding, highlighted cash flow movements to management, and monitored key financial ratios.
  • Directed the business continuity planning of FC Pakistan, highlighted significant exposures, identified mission-critical activities (MCA), and conducted business impact analysis (BIA), including financial and operational impacts.
  • Developed a business continuity plan to guide and help the organization to respond, recover and restore the interrupted MCAs following a disaster or interruption.
  • Evaluated different interest rate swaps to manage and lock the interest rate on the company’s long-term debt to minimize interest rate costs on an ongoing basis.
  • Conducted the lease versus buy analysis for significant capital expenditure of plant machinery regularly.
Focus areas: Treasury, Corporate Treasury, P&C Insurance, Cash Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, Bank Covenants, Working Capital Management, Ratio Analysis, Digital Banking, Debt Financing, Forex Analysis, Sensitivity Analysis, Interest Rate Risk, Interest Rate Swaps, Risk Management, Risk Management in Reporting, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Cash Flow, Budgeting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Three-statement Modeling, Analysis, Excel Expert, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Inventory Management, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Cash Flow Modeling, Wealth Management, Investment Portfolio Management, Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Banking & Finance, Financial Markets, Equity Research, Asset Allocation, Cash Flow Management, Cash Flow Analysis, DCF Valuation, Excel 365, Financing, Food & Beverage, Investments, Financial Forecasting, Manufacturing, Investment Funds, Investor Relations, Business Planning, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Consumer Products, Audits, Complex Account Reconciliations, Operational Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Sales and Distribution Area Manager

2016 - 2017
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Managed a team of over 35 individuals in sales, distribution, warehouse, and logistic support of a dairy business portfolio with an annual turnover of USD 20 million through five territory managers, more than 35 order bookers, and salespeople.
  • Implemented trade category plans and monitored the KPIs distribution against best practices benchmarks covering the retail totality of around 2,000 stores.
  • Increased retail coverage by 15% within 12 months through effective customer and logistics management, geotagging of new outlets, optimal sales journey plan, and setting the fastest itinerary along multiple shops.
  • Led the field sales operations team to achieve yearly sales targets in volume and value by delivering on distribution and route-to-market KPIs while ensuring the business partner's return on investment.
  • Nurtured strong business relationships with distribution partners by continuously monitoring their P&L, ensuring that distribution partners remain profitable.
  • Provided leadership and mentoring to the sales managers and built a strong talent pipeline in the system.
Focus areas: Sales, Distribution Management, Distribution Operations, Excel Expert, Business to Business (B2B), Inventory Management, Market Research, Retail & Wholesale, Strategic Planning & Execution, Food & Beverage, Business to Consumer (B2C), Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Cycle and Demand Planning Assistant Manager

2014 - 2016
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Optimized and reduced trade spending by 10% by preparing a monthly scorecard to assist category-wise comparative business review and decision making with financial feasibilities contributing to improved overall business profitability and margins.
  • Led the compilation and forecast of weekly, monthly, and yearly demand after the consent of all stakeholders, including sales, category management, brands, marketing, and supply chain. Coordinated production forecasting for efficient production.
  • Improved the demand forecast accuracy of a highly volatile dairy portfolio to optimize production, achieve the best order fill rate, and optimum inventory levels to reduce carrying and markdown costs.
  • Performed detailed segment, brand, and stock keeping unit (SKU) analysis and channel-wise revenue analysis, including investigating and highlighting reasons for significant variations and identifying risks, improvements, and opportunities.
  • Evaluated financial impacts of various pricing, discount, and other business decisions on the top line revenue and profitability.
  • Developed a corporate plan for the sales division and monitored the execution as a custodian of all sales-related planning.
Focus areas: Demand Planning, Revenue Cycle Management, Fractional CFO, Market Research, Retail & Wholesale, Strategic Planning & Execution, Food & Beverage, Business to Consumer (B2C), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Assistant Trade Category Manager

2013 - 2014
Royal FrieslandCampina
  • Led the trading strategy for Tarang, Pakistan’s biggest UHT brand, aligned with overall brand strategy, and converted it into actions, driving the execution through trade channels and merchandising.
  • Forecasted and identified different sales trends, monitoring overall brand performance to drive the brand's growth and to help improve the sales team's performance.
  • Prepared and managed a monthly discount tracker for management team review and circulated the summaries to all relevant business unit managers to highlight the key areas.
  • Managed and reported trade rebate updates and ensured the budgets were not exceeded on a month-on-month basis.
Focus areas: Trade Marketing, Category Management, Agency, Market Research, Retail & Wholesale, Food & Beverage, Business to Consumer (B2C), Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Relationship Manager

2010 - 2011
HBL
  • Built and strengthened relationships with corporate, commercial, and retail clients to effectively sell all products and ensure we maintained all the relationships in compliance with legal and regulatory principles.
  • Conducted financial analysis and risk assessments of new and existing customers to evaluate the profitability of both customers and the bank, keeping the existing industrial and commercial outlook in view.
  • Advised on diverse debt securities tailored to meet the clients' financial needs after evaluating financial fundamentals, monitoring economic, business, and project risk profiles, and scenario analysis on cash flows.
Focus areas: Relationship Management, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Private Banking, Asset Allocation, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Asset Management
2011 - 2013

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) - Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

2006 - 2010

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance

Institute of Business Administration (IBA) - Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

APRIL 2018 - PRESENT

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

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