Cathy Skeat

Key Responsibilities:

• Mentor and lead the accounting team to ensure efficient, accurate, and compliant operations.
• Tasked with the review and final approval of the corporate reporting system (Corporate Information System) for MENA affiliates
• Oversaw preparation of reports providing an overview of the accounting KPI’s
• Managed the forecasting, reporting and regular analysis of the general expenses for the organization.
• Led the Corporate (Internal) Audit done annually and handled the discussion with the auditors and the whole organization.
• Facilitated discussions with the Statutory (External) Auditors and the management
• Served as a trusted consultant to the other Finance Managers across the MENA affiliates relating to policies and processes, accounting operations and corporate financial reporting
• Handled all matters related to tax especially the VAT that was recently implemented in the GCC. Spearheaded discussions with local suppliers, customers and other partners in the region and provided guidance to ensure compliance with the local laws.
• Supervised all tax, customs, and local authority filing (VAT, WHT, ESR, and CbCR).

Key Achievements:

• Managed the implementation of the SCF Program (Reverse Factoring) which increased our vendor payment terms from 60 to 120 days
• Developed a detailed but easy to use VAT Refund Analysis Report for easy tracking and processing of refunds. (USD 5.3 mio refunds as of 2022)
• Enhanced a comprehensive but user-friendly internal control database (Risk Control Matrix) which enabled the stakeholders take control of processes timely and compliantly (with consistent very good internal audit result and efficiency increased by 30%)

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensured correct and full reconciliation of the balance sheet and SOI.
• Managed SAP closing activities, including preparation and execution of the monthly, quarterly, and year end closing calendar.
• Managed third-party accounting service provider (Genpact) on all accounting activities, including matters or issues escalated by the Financial Accountants. Ensure a regular review of the service provider's KPIs.
• Main liaison for the Statutory Audit (annually and half-yearly).
• Led the daily operations of the AP and AR to ensure smooth and efficient process

Key Achievements:

• Lead for the implementation of VAT in the UAE on January 2018 (saved USD 100K on consultants fee)
• Project managed the set up of the SAP system for the new affiliate in Egypt (saved USD 50K on outsourcing fees)
• Played a key role in the Blue Core Global Project roll out (SAP system upgrade)
• Implemented an enhanced accounting report system to better measure accounting performance (increased efficiencies by 50%)
• Developed most of the Finance Operations Policies and Procedures that were also used as a guide to the other affiliates in AME.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the whole end to end customer management process in accounting.
• Liaised closely with the banks in ensuring proper documentation when utilizing financial instruments tools for customers (LC, Doc collection, bank guarantees, etc).
• Prepared and managed cash flow forecasts and updates the Treasury Information System (TIS) for headquarters.
• Managed all treasury-related transactions, and the whole process of contracting hedging, company loans, and deposits with the Global Treasury department based in Hamburg.
• Managed relationships with the local bank and the Treasury in headquarters.

Key Achievements:

• Built a Treasury file which aided in effective analysis, planning and reporting of the company's cash flow
• Steered a Country Unit Reporting of Customer Ageing that enabled the stakeholders especially the management to understand the potential risks in AR and formulate advance strategies in tackling issues with customers

Key Responsibilities:

• Managed the whole end to end vendor management process.
• Processed employee expense claims and corporate credit cards.
• Enhanced the expense claim form that was user friendly but also easy to process in finance. Form was then rolled out by global team to other BDF affiliates.
• Handled petty cash management and ensured proper documentation, accounting, and reconciliation are in place.
• Streamlined the processing of trade related Debit notes that was linked to customer receivables.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generalist role responsible in supporting the HR Director in all aspects of HR including recruitments and selection, compensation and benefits, training and development.
• Main liaison/business partner for all HR operational topics including payroll, onboarding, etc.