MAHEEN ZAHRA BALOCH
London,UK
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in project management, financial statements analysis, and investment strategy formulation. Demonstrates proficiency in financial valuation, commodities trading, and risk management, with a strong focus on quantitative analysis using tools such as MATLAB, SPSS, and EViews. Adept at conducting due diligence and feasibility studies to support business development and portfolio management. Skilled in financial modelling and forecasting, leveraging platforms like Bloomberg and Meta-Trader for data interpretation and risk assessment. Known for thriving under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and effective workload management. Career goals include advancing strategic investment initiatives within the financial sector.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Assistant Fund Manager
IA Commodities Pvt Ltd
Lahore, Cumbria
2017.10 - 2020.03
- Managed investment portfolios in crude oil (WTI) and gold futures valued at approximately $ 5 million, utilising fundamental and technical analysis to inform trading decisions
- Executed trades independently on MetaTrader Trading Platform, achieving 73% success rate in intraday trades
- Developed and implemented risk management strategies that reduced portfolio risk by 15%, while optimising client returns by increasing profitability by over-year
- Analysed geopolitical factors, market trends, and economic conditions, improving accuracy of price forecasts, which directly contributed to more informed investment decisions
- Prepared and maintained profit and loss (P&L) statements for $5 million in trades, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining a compliance record during audits
- Built and managed relationships with 7 key clients and external stakeholders, resulting in 10% growth in client retention and portfolio expansion
- Managed equity funds to maximise returns within specified risk parameters.
- Enhanced portfolio performance by closely analysing market trends and economic data.
Accounts Officer
M R Consultants
Lahore
2017.07 - 2017.09
- Prepared monthly ledgers, reconciled accounts, and managed payroll for the company.
- Filed tax returns and ensured accurate financial records
- Managed office petty cash flow and reduced overall expenses by 3%, streamlining expense reporting and reimbursement processes
- Handled all general accounting queries for internal and external stakeholders, improving overall client satisfaction.
- Optimised budget allocations for enhanced financial efficiency.
- Created detailed financial reports by analysing accounting data.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor (Internee)
Pakistan Crescent Youth Organisation
Lahore
2014.06 - 2014.08
- Company Overview: (Freelance)
- Led a fundraising campaign that raised $5000, successfully achieving the targeted amount for the construction of a regional girls' school
- Carried out research in 20 organisations on workplace gender discrimination, providing actionable recommendations to address the issue through policy changes and training programs
- (Freelance)
Marketing Intern
Synergy Advertising
Lahore
2011.08 - 2011.09
- Assisted in developing marketing campaigns for 2 key clients, Dawn Breads and Cadbury.
- Proposed a creative tagline for Dawn Bread, which resulted in a 15% increase in customer loyalty and brand visibility.
- Conducted competitor analysis and strategic forecasting for Cadbury Chocolate, contributing to a 12% growth in sales within the local market.
Education
Master of Science - Accounting, Finance, and Strategic Investment
Newcastle University
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 2015.08 - 2016.12
Graduate Diploma - Business and Humanities
Newcastle University
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 2015.01 - 2015.08
BBA - Majors in Marketing and Media Studies
Lahore School of Economics
Lahore 2008.09 - 2012.07
Skills
- Project management
- Financial statements analysis
- Forecasting
- Financial valuation
- Commodities trading (WTI and Gold)
- Due diligence
- Risk management
- Feasibility
- Investment analysis
- Attention to detail
- Working under pressure
- Problem solving
- Financial modelling (MATLAB)
- SPSS
- EViews
- REVU Blue-beam
- Microsoft Office (Excel)
- Microsoft Office (PowerPoint)
- Bloomberg
- Python
- Meta-Trader Trading Platform
- Quantitative analysis
- Thrives under pressure
- Financial reporting
- Investment strategy formulation
- Commodities familiarity
- Written and verbal communication
- Data interpretation
- Risk Assessment
- Workload management
- Business development
- Portfolio Management
Websites
Certification
- CIMA Level 3 candidate (cleared CFA Level 2: 2024 and CFA Level 1: 2023), 08/01/24
- Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals & Data Analytics (Udemy, online), 01/01/25
Accomplishments
- 73% positive trading generating revenue for employer
- Raised funding for school construction for unprivileged girls at NGO
- During MSc, I was awarded the best dissertation of the batch based on my recommendations
Languages
English
Urdu/Hindi
Custom
- Travelling
- Reading
Timeline
Assistant Fund Manager
IA Commodities Pvt Ltd
2017.10 - 2020.03
Accounts Officer
M R Consultants
2017.07 - 2017.09
Master of Science - Accounting, Finance, and Strategic Investment
Newcastle University
2015.08 - 2016.12
Graduate Diploma - Business and Humanities
Newcastle University
2015.01 - 2015.08
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor (Internee)
Pakistan Crescent Youth Organisation
2014.06 - 2014.08
Marketing Intern
Synergy Advertising
2011.08 - 2011.09
BBA - Majors in Marketing and Media Studies
Lahore School of Economics
2008.09 - 2012.07