Khorum Sarwar

Strategic financial leader of a portfolio of key secure contracts amassing >$290m revenue per annum in a complex matrix organisation, reporting directly to UK Defence CFO

• Collaborative lead of 10 remote analysts fostering a positive working environment, resulting in improved work ethic and commitment to organisational goals
• Setting expectation for internal Forecast reviews and challenging for solid business / financial understanding
• Driving Finance / Delivery / Sales team interlock to maintain forecast accuracy and drive growth pipeline
• Spearheading commercial and contract investigations to support CFO
• Developed Budgets and set strategies to encourage Account growth and resilience, ensuring all departments understand "what good looks like"
• Delivered accurate forecasts through rigorous financial analysis techniques, aiding strategic planning processes
• Leading various Transformation projects resulting in efficiencies across 21 P&L's – Forecast / Month End / File Standardisation / Risks & Opps management
• Driving deep dive activities into cost base (3rd Parties / Licenses) resulting in in-year cost saving of £5m
• Presenting with confidence Monthly reviews and Weekly KPI's / Risk and Opps to Defence Board
• Conducting 1-2-1's with team and holding career conversations

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager responsible for various Public Sector contracts

• Leading wider team through monthly Close and Forecast cycles with clear support and instruction
• Demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the business and articulated the "so what" to leadership
• Established complex Financial models to support Customer reporting obligations ensuring deadlines always met
• Masterful in Excel, spearheading initiatives for process improvements (e.g., reporting standardisation, financial process / model harmonisation across multiple complex contracts)
• Invaluable analytical and problem-solving skills and adaptively communicating matters to different audiences
• Consolidating and presenting forecast and monthly review pack to EMEA leadership to assist corporate decision making
• Challenging and driving forecast accuracy improvements to within +/- 3% Revenue / Profit variance thresholds
• Supporting pre/post company merger transitional phases - restructuring Finance team to support new way of working

Working within Core Assurance providing audit related services to organisations across Banking, Investment, Construction, Transport Services, Shipping Management, Manufacturing and Distribution industries

• Audit of complex areas of financial accounting within statutory accounts
• Established rapport with clients at all levels through being first point of contact and networking to promote additional services where appropriate using commercial acumen
• Communicating business process improvements with clients through controls audit engagements (e.g SSAE 16)
• Project managed varying sizes of audit teams, with strong team leadership and coaching support to junior team members.
• Preparation and presentation of reporting documentation, both externally for clients and internally within Group audit engagements.