Azeem Haider

KEY SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Strategic Financial Reporting & Analysis : Expert in preparing financial statements in compliance with IFRS and IAS, providing insights that enhance organizational decision-making. Successfully identified and corrected reporting discrepancies for multiple clients, improving accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Risk Management & Compliance : Proficient in risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and Basel requirements, with experience conducting stress testing and designing robust control frameworks that strengthen governance and mitigate operational risk. Delivered targeted recommendations that reduced compliance gaps and optimized risk management practices.

Audit Leadership & Internal Controls : Led comprehensive internal and external audits for a diverse client base, applying COSO and SOX frameworks. Consistently improved control processes and governance, reducing instances of discrepancies and enhancing overall financial integrity. Managed audit teams at EY, Deloitte and KPMG, ensuring audit effectiveness and regulatory alignment.

Budgeting, Strategic Planning & Forecasting : Streamlined budgeting processes and developed financial models that drove strategic decision-making. Improved working capital efficiency and resource allocation, resulting in optimized financial outcomes and cost savings for key stakeholders.

Technology Integration in Finance : Championed advanced technology solutions in financial reporting, including cloud-based systems that improved data accuracy and reduced manual workload. This innovation led to a 30% reduction in processing time, elevating operational efficiency and minimizing errors.

Communication, Stakeholder Engagement & Project Management : Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams on transformative projects, effectively communicate with senior management and external stakeholders, and build strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and investors. My strategic insights and proactive communication style have strengthened client trust and enhanced project outcomes.

Policy Development & Process Optimization : Developed and implemented financial policies and procedures that enhanced compliance, cost control, and operational efficiency. Recognized by the Modaraba Association of Pakistan with a Letter of Achievement for leading the drafting of model financing agreements, subsequently approved by SECP, underscoring my expertise in policy advisory.

CAREER HISTORY

Deloitte LLP, Birmingham, UK—Assistant Manager (Financial Services) | Sep 2022 – Jun 2024.

In my role as an Assistant Manager within Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance Financial Services team, I successfully managed a portfolio of clients in pensions and investment funds. I ensured project efficiency, compliance with relevant UK standards, and built strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, contributing to Deloitte’s reputation for excellence.
Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Relationship Management : Built and maintained client relationships as the primary point of contact, ensuring clear and proactive communication that resulted in a 95% client satisfaction rating. Provided clients with valuable insights by anticipating their needs, resolving issues promptly, and offering strategic advice on audit and compliance matters.

Project Management and Delivery : Directed the planning and execution of multiple audit engagements, overseeing resource allocation, budget management, and timelines to ensure seamless project delivery. This led to the timely completion of 100% of engagements within the fiscal year, achieving an average budget adherence rate of 98%.

Day-to-Day Client Management : Conducted daily client check-ins to facilitate smooth project execution and resolve any emerging challenges. This daily engagement led to higher transparency and contributed to a 15% increase in client retention within my portfolio over the year.

Technical Compliance and Reporting : Applied expertise in accounting standards, including IAS 19, IFRS 9, IFRS 10, and IFRS 17, to ensure clients met all compliance requirements. Conducted detailed analysis and prepared comprehensive reports, presenting key findings and actionable insights to client boards, which helped drive more informed decision-making at the executive level.

Collaboration with Specialist Teams : Worked closely with EQCR teams, industry specialists, and regulatory experts to address complex audit requirements and improve client outcomes. This collaboration helped identify significant process improvement opportunities, resulting in a 20% reduction in identified audit findings year-over-year.

Training and Development : Provided on-the-job training and mentorship to junior staff, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment. This initiative reduced staff turnover by 10% in my teams, contributing to a more experienced, cohesive audit team.

Operational Improvement : Identified key operational inefficiencies within client processes and implemented tailored solutions to improve internal controls. This intervention led to a measurable 30% reduction in manual errors for one client, enhancing overall audit quality and efficiency.

In this role, I consistently aligned Deloitte’s high standards with client needs, delivering precise, timely, and insightful audits that strengthened client trust and helped mitigate potential risks. My ability to balance complex compliance standards with practical client solutions reinforced Deloitte’s reputation as a trusted advisor in financial services.

Xpert Logistics Pvt. Ltd, Pakistan – Chief Financial Officer | Jan 2020 to Sep 2022. 

As the CFO and a member of the Executive Committee, I was responsible for overseeing the finance and treasury functions, ensuring the financial health and strategic direction of the company. My key responsibilities included:

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Financial Planning, Reporting, and Analysis: Managed comprehensive financial planning, reporting, and analysis, ensuring compliance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) across both domestic and offshore offices, aligning financial operations with the company’s strategic objectives.

Governance and Operational Frameworks: Enhanced the governance structure by introducing improved operational frameworks and implementing best practices, ensuring adherence to IAS 1 (Presentation of Financial Statements) for effective financial management and transparency.

Business Transformation and Scalability: Led business transformation initiatives supporting future scalability, focusing on financial controls in line with IAS 7 (Statement of Cash Flows) to optimize cash flow management and working capital.
Revenue Streams and Resource Optimization: Explored new revenue streams and funding channels, optimizing resources to enhance profitability and sustainability, while ensuring compliance with IAS 16 (Property, Plant and Equipment) for asset management.

Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement: Managed relationships with regulators, external and internal auditors, and government officials, ensuring the company’s operations met all regulatory requirements, including those specified by IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments).

Strategic Support to the Board: Assisted the Board of Governors in shaping future strategies, translating them into OKRs/KPIs at the organizational level, while ensuring alignment with IAS 24 (Related Party Disclosures) for transparency in governance.

Implementation of New Accounting Systems: Led the successful implementation of a new accounting system, enhancing financial reporting accuracy and compliance with IFRS standards, thereby streamlining financial operations and improving data integrity.

First Habib Modaraba (subsidiary of HMB Bank), Pakistan—Assistant Vice President | Oct 2005 – Dec 2019.

During my 14-year tenure with First Habib Modaraba (Leasing), I held various key roles across finance, internal audit, compliance, and operations, earning multiple promotions over the years. My responsibilities encompassed:

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Financial Statement Preparation and Review: Led the preparation and review of standalone and consolidated financial statements in compliance with IFRS 16 (Leases) and IAS 17 (Leases, prior to IFRS 16 adoption), ensuring accurate reporting of leasing transactions, auto financing, and machinery investments.

Audit Coordination: Served as the primary contact for external and internal auditors, facilitating audits and ensuring adherence to IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) and IFRS 7 (Financial Instruments: Disclosures) for effective risk management and disclosure practices.

Revenue and Asset Management Analysis: Conducted in-depth reviews and analyses of revenue, assets under management, and other key metrics, ensuring compliance with IAS 36 (Impairment of Assets) and IAS 16 (Property, Plant, and Equipment) for accurate asset valuation and impairment testing.

Executive Reporting: Prepared and presented detailed reports to the Executive Committees and Board of Directors, providing insights aligned with IAS 1 (Presentation of Financial Statements) to support strategic decision-making.

Internal Audit Leadership: In the internal audit function, I was responsible for scoping, risk assessment, and reviewing the work performed by the internal audit team, ensuring audits were conducted in accordance with COSO frameworks and SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) standards where applicable.

Ad Hoc Reporting: Presented ad hoc reports to the Board Audit Committee, focusing on key risk areas and audit findings, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory standards.

Compliance Leadership: As the department lead within the compliance function, I oversaw the operations side, ensuring adherence to the established risk framework and credit policy, and compliance with IFRS 9 for credit risk management.

Regulatory Engagement: Attended meetings with regulators, ensuring the function stayed current with regulatory developments and compliance requirements, particularly those related to IFRS 16 for leasing arrangements and IAS 37 (Provisions, Contingent Liabilities, and Contingent Assets).

Branch Management: In my final role as Branch Head, I was responsible for the overall performance of the Southern Region, achieving KPIs across business generation, recoveries, compliance, product control, and reporting, ensuring that all operations aligned with relevant accounting standards and best practices.

ORIX Leasing Pakistan Ltd., Karachi, Pakistan - Business Control Officer |Feb 2005 – Sep 2005. 

In close collaboration with the finance team, I was responsible for identifying and assessing risks, as well as developing and reviewing key risk indicators and risk incident reports. My role focused on enhancing the company’s risk management framework to ensure effective monitoring and mitigation of financial and operational risks.

EY, Pakistan, UAE - Senior Associate Audit | Jul 2001 to Dec 2004

In my role as a Senior Associate in Audit at EY, I managed audit planning, execution, and reporting for clients across various sectors, ensuring compliance with local and international standards. By leveraging EY’s global methodology, I drove audit quality, helped clients navigate complex regulatory environments, and provided strategic insights to strengthen their financial reporting practices.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Audit Planning and Execution : Developed tailored audit plans by conducting comprehensive risk assessments and variance analysis, ensuring audits were focused, efficient, and aligned with client-specific risks. My thorough approach led to a 30% reduction in fieldwork hours, improving client satisfaction through timely and accurate reporting.

Financial Statement Preparation : Assisted clients in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and local regulatory requirements. My meticulous attention to detail contributed to accurate and transparent financial disclosures, which enhanced clients' regulatory compliance and stakeholder confidence.

Global Audit Coordination : Managed reporting of foreign financial information in compliance with group auditors’ instructions, contributing to seamless audit processes across multiple jurisdictions. This coordination allowed clients to streamline audit communications with international stakeholders and provided clarity on cross-border regulatory requirements.

Risk Assessment and Compliance Review : Conducted detailed client risk assessments as part of EY’s global methodology, ensuring that audit procedures aligned with both local regulations and international standards. My proactive approach identified and mitigated potential audit issues, resulting in cleaner audit opinions and fewer post-audit adjustments for clients.

Client Advisory on Financial Controls : Advised clients on enhancing their internal financial controls to minimize discrepancies, reduce risk, and support accurate financial reporting. One client, for example, saw a 20% improvement in control effectiveness following my recommendations, leading to reduced instances of financial restatements and enhanced audit outcomes.

Fieldwork Management and Team Leadership : Oversaw audit fieldwork, reviewed deliverables for accuracy and compliance, and provided on-the-job training to junior staff. By fostering a collaborative and detail-oriented audit environment, I increased team productivity by 25% and developed team members’ technical and professional skills.

Stakeholder Communication and Reporting : Prepared detailed audit findings and presented these insights to senior client stakeholders, delivering value-driven recommendations that aligned with best practices. My clear, data-backed reporting allowed clients to understand key financial risks, resulting in improved decision-making and strengthened governance practices.

In my role at EY, I honed my skills in risk-based audit planning, financial reporting, and client advisory. My technical expertise and proactive communication style enabled clients to achieve compliance, streamline financial operations, and enhance their overall audit readiness. This experience provided a strong foundation in global audit standards and instilled a commitment to audit excellence and client service that I have carried forward in my career.

Deloitte LLP, Birmingham, UK—Assistant Manager (Financial Services) | Sep 2022 – Jun 2024.

Xpert Logistics Pvt. Ltd, Pakistan – Chief Financial Officer | Jan 2020 to Sep 2022. 

First Habib Modaraba (subsidiary of HMB Bank), Pakistan—Assistant Vice President | Oct 2005 – Dec 2019.

ORIX Leasing Pakistan Ltd., Karachi, Pakistan - Business Control Officer |Feb 2005 – Sep 2005. 

EY, Pakistan, UAE - Senior Associate Audit | Jul 2001 to Dec 2004

Chartered Accountant , Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Internal Control Auditor