Ajay Ghanekar Email and Phone Number

Advising on the activities to be performed during and after the transition of an ongoing major Business & IT transformation programme’s ownership to the COO. From a technology standpoint, this transformation programme has SAP S/4 HANA Release 1809 at its core. In this role, I guide and support the project management teams in planning and execution of solution design and deployment activities in US and Europe.Additionally, advising the COO on the reorganization of the global IT function,… Show more Advising on the activities to be performed during and after the transition of an ongoing major Business & IT transformation programme’s ownership to the COO. From a technology standpoint, this transformation programme has SAP S/4 HANA Release 1809 at its core. In this role, I guide and support the project management teams in planning and execution of solution design and deployment activities in US and Europe.Additionally, advising the COO on the reorganization of the global IT function, institutionalising of the processes related to project approvals & monitoring and outsourcing of application services. Show less

Since the second year, I worked in the role of a Business Project Manager for a SAP implementation project (ECC 6.0). This project was aimed at harmonizing business processes and supporting these with a common SAP platform across all the entities globally within the Business Unit Sheet Fed.

In general terms, my work during the first year of this assignment was geared towards training and supporting various Bobst group entities in the implementation of processes and directives formulated by the Group Finance function. More specifically, it related to supporting the entities in overcoming challenges at the business process level as well as application level in relation to closing the books of accounts within the designated time frame.

In association with the start-ups Aria Technologies Private Limited and Mantran Consulting, I worked on the following assignments: -(1) Supporting the internal audit function of Essar Group of companies (an India based MNC) in planning and executing IT (mainly SAP) and Project audits across its diverse lines of business such as Steel, Oil, Infrastructure, Projects and BPO during the year April 2012 to March 2013 and Q1 of April 2013 to March 2014.(2) Conducting SAP post… Show more In association with the start-ups Aria Technologies Private Limited and Mantran Consulting, I worked on the following assignments: -(1) Supporting the internal audit function of Essar Group of companies (an India based MNC) in planning and executing IT (mainly SAP) and Project audits across its diverse lines of business such as Steel, Oil, Infrastructure, Projects and BPO during the year April 2012 to March 2013 and Q1 of April 2013 to March 2014.(2) Conducting SAP post implementation review for:-(i) Trent Landmark (an organization within the Retail sector having a pan-India presence) in October 2012 and(ii) Landis+Gyr (a MNC in the Energy sector) for its operations in Australia & New Zealand (in May 2012) and Finland (May 2013). (3) Providing training on a wide range of activities within internal auditing and on SAP as mentioned below:- (i) audit report writing; (ii) auditing in and using SAP; (iii) conducting project audits; and (iv) detecting and spotting early signals of a fraud.For example - a training on SAP FICO modules was conducted for the KPMG Accounting Advisory Services team.(4) Developing and / or marketing tools for risk management purposes, for e.g. (i) tool for monitoring access rights within SAP (QuickAudit); (ii) tool for fraud detection / prevention through data mining in a SAP environment (Bcontrol);(iii) tool for recording & consolidating audit results within the retail industry; (iv) tool for process mining.(5) Partnering with risk management functions in developing and testing 'risk & control frameworks'. For example - one such framework was developed for Trent Westside (retail chain selling apparels) for its store audits.(6) Development of customized reports and dashboards for the internal audit function and other stakeholders within Emirates Aluminium which will enable them to monitor critical control violations within the Purchase-to-Pay cycle on a regular basis. Show less

Based in the Group Head office at Netherlands within the Corporate Audit function, my key responsibilities involved planning and executing project audits, IT audits, operational audits and financial audits; developing and maintaining data mining capabilities within the audit department and managing / supporting fraud investigations. Next to these regular activities, I was also involved in the following key projects:- (i) one relating to the monitoring and optimization of working… Show more Based in the Group Head office at Netherlands within the Corporate Audit function, my key responsibilities involved planning and executing project audits, IT audits, operational audits and financial audits; developing and maintaining data mining capabilities within the audit department and managing / supporting fraud investigations. Next to these regular activities, I was also involved in the following key projects:- (i) one relating to the monitoring and optimization of working capital requirements within Express division and (ii) the other relating to the due diligence activities relating to the de-merger of the Express division into a stand alone entity.Key achievements during this stint include:-(i) initiated the use of SAP within the Group Audit function at TNT for conducting audits; (ii) developed audit work programs for company and industryspecific processes such as consignment life cycle, customs clearance procedures, revenue protection; (iii) led audits relating to key business projects such as Business Process Reengineering, setting up of Financial Shared Service Centre, Cost Modelling; (iv) developed continuous monitoring processes through data mining for Procurement, Revenue and Reporting cycles.Thanks to this role, I got an opportunity to do some serious globe trotting across Americas, Europe and Asia and work with the best and the brightest within the courier & logistics industry. In Sep. 2011 I relocated to India on account of personal reasons. Gung ho about experimenting with the idea of freelancing and trying out new things, my choice of work association and assignments since then bear out this thought process. Along the way I have learned more about what works for me and equally what doesn't! Show less

(i) Reviews of access rights within SAP using the Deloitte proprietary eQSmart tool. (ii) Documenting business process flows and risk control matrices as part of J-Sox assignment.

During this stint I participated in the planning and execution of the following types of assignments:-(i) Reviews of access rights within SAP;(ii) Reviews of control settings within SAP as part of Sarbanes Oxley or internal control review assignments. (e.g. Tata Motors Limited, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, Larsen & Toubro Limited);(iii) Reviews of business blueprint documents as part of SAP roll outs (e.g. Dubai Aluminium LLC);(iv) Training internal audit staff to… Show more During this stint I participated in the planning and execution of the following types of assignments:-(i) Reviews of access rights within SAP;(ii) Reviews of control settings within SAP as part of Sarbanes Oxley or internal control review assignments. (e.g. Tata Motors Limited, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, Larsen & Toubro Limited);(iii) Reviews of business blueprint documents as part of SAP roll outs (e.g. Dubai Aluminium LLC);(iv) Training internal audit staff to audit in & using SAP (e.g. Reliance Energy Limited).(v) As part of a due diligence process related to a business acquisition, reviewing of controls within SAP to determine the reliability of financial statements drawn therefrom. Show less

Led a small team which supported the SAP FICO installations in the North American and European geographies of a US based MNC.

Wanting to leverage upon the business experience gained as a financial & management accountant and move into IT for its allure of travel, diverse projects and money (in that order) - getting on the ERP bandwagon as a functional consultant seemed the logical next step. As a result, I quit my job in Dubai, underwent a SAP certification course and started looking out for work again in this new field. Over the course of next 3 years I worked on multiple short term assignments, primarily… Show more Wanting to leverage upon the business experience gained as a financial & management accountant and move into IT for its allure of travel, diverse projects and money (in that order) - getting on the ERP bandwagon as a functional consultant seemed the logical next step. As a result, I quit my job in Dubai, underwent a SAP certification course and started looking out for work again in this new field. Over the course of next 3 years I worked on multiple short term assignments, primarily relating to providing SAP functional support and auditing. A milestone event occured in 2007 when I got an opportunity to set up a base in Europe (the Netherlands).SISL was where my initiation into SAP as a functional consultant took place. Over there I worked as a part of the team which supported the Siemens India Ltd business users in their usage of SAP FICO modules, post go-live of the SAP upgrade project in the company. Show less

Conventionally speaking this was my first job and it gave me a lot more than just money. It gave me the opportunity to manage my own routine 24/7/365, explore and develop both my personal and professional skills, work in an environment which was as heterogeneous as it could get and this broadened my horizons immensely.The activities performed during this stint included the following:-(i) Preparation and presentation of financial statements as per International Accounting… Show more Conventionally speaking this was my first job and it gave me a lot more than just money. It gave me the opportunity to manage my own routine 24/7/365, explore and develop both my personal and professional skills, work in an environment which was as heterogeneous as it could get and this broadened my horizons immensely.The activities performed during this stint included the following:-(i) Preparation and presentation of financial statements as per International Accounting Standards. (ii) Weekly & monthly reporting of the actual financial results to the regional business units and providing explanations for any variances versus budgeted & previous year results for the corresponding period.(iii) Preparing and reviewing various P&L account and balance sheet schedules to correct any accounting errors & omissions, spot any changes in costs & revenue trends that would assist pro-active decision making.(iv) Computation of the local postal tax amount payable on a quarterly basis with its return filing.(v) Monitoring the day-to-day accounting work carried out by the shared services team through checking of the Payment Vouchers, Inter-company Invoices, Fixed Assets schedule, reconciliation of the sub-ledgers to the General Ledger, etc(vi) Preparing justifications for Capital expenditure proposals.(vii) Participation in the Quarterly forecasts and the Annual budget processes by means of – - generating the profit and loss account item numbers on the basis of cost actions, - calculation of Capital expenditure impact, - preparing EBIT bridges between two periods under comparison, - preparing unit rate reconciliation statements, - analysing revenue quality changes over different periods etc.(viii) Monitoring the costs of the Road Linehaul network in the Gulf through memorandum P&Ls for effective pricing and cost control decisions.(ix) Providing requisite cost information during the annual VitALite (Activity Based Costing process) Show less

As part of the Chartered Accountancy training curriculum, worked full-time in the Finance department within this company's head office in Mumbai. Areas worked in included:-(i) Generating and analysing MIS on receivables.(ii) Handling paperwork pertaining to hedging of foreign currency receivables.(iii) Generating various financial ratio analysis for periodically reporting to banks from whom working capital was sourced.(iv) Generating cost centre and profit… Show more As part of the Chartered Accountancy training curriculum, worked full-time in the Finance department within this company's head office in Mumbai. Areas worked in included:-(i) Generating and analysing MIS on receivables.(ii) Handling paperwork pertaining to hedging of foreign currency receivables.(iii) Generating various financial ratio analysis for periodically reporting to banks from whom working capital was sourced.(iv) Generating cost centre and profit centre reports. Show less

As part of the Chartered Accountancy curriculum, worked full-time for two years in a mid-sized CA firm in parallel to my degree education. Areas of work included the following:-(i) Statutory & Tax audits of partnership firms, private limited companies, public charitable trusts and bank branches.(ii) Computation of income tax and wealth tax liabilities and return filing of individuals, partnership firms and of private limited companies. (iii) Completion of… Show more As part of the Chartered Accountancy curriculum, worked full-time for two years in a mid-sized CA firm in parallel to my degree education. Areas of work included the following:-(i) Statutory & Tax audits of partnership firms, private limited companies, public charitable trusts and bank branches.(ii) Computation of income tax and wealth tax liabilities and return filing of individuals, partnership firms and of private limited companies. (iii) Completion of registration formalities of a company and preparation of financial feasibility report for availing bank finance. Show less