Talha Azhar, Cpa, Fcca Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Responsible for supervising the Investment Finance Team, comprised of junior and senior analysts. The team acts as the Finance Business Partner of Private Equity and Infrastructure Investment Teams.• Overseeing the month-end / quarter-end close process and ensuring all deliverables are completed within established timelines.• Reviewing and approving daily bookings for investment related transactions including additions, disposals, revaluations and distributions.• Review of Financial Statements and Partners’ Capital Statements (PCAPS) shared by the Investee Companies and Funds.• Review of the reconciliations prepared by the Finance Team based on the above statements and overseeing the end-to-end valuation gain/ loss booking process. • Leading the preparation and review of quarterly performance reports for the Private Equity and Infrastructure deal teams and investigating and providing explanation for significant movements.• Coordinating with the deal teams on ad-hoc queries and requests.• Collaborating with the external auditors in relation to interim and final audit of OPTrust and reviewing financial statement note disclosures and working papers prepared by the Finance Team.• Leading the preparation and review of subsidiary financial statements including note disclosures.• Leading various process improvement and finance automation projects and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure progress is on track and projects are completed within established timelines.• Proactively identifying new process improvement transformation opportunities and coordinating with the executives to get their buy in and support for future projects.• Facilitating on-the-job training and professional development initiatives for junior staff members.Selected Accomplishments:• Automated and streamlined various finance processes leveraging Microsoft Power Query and Power BI, resulting in substantial time savings.• Consistently recognized as a high performer.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Member of the Finance Team in the Personal & Commercial Banking (P&CB) segment. P&CB is the largest segment of RBC in terms of total revenue and assets.• Reviewed and approved the Bank’s quarterly and annual financial statement disclosures, ensuring accuracy and compliance with IFRS. • Conducted in-depth research on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and prepared comprehensive memorandums outlining proposed accounting treatments for complex transactions, facilitating informed decision-making by senior management.• Led various projects related to adoption of new accounting standards, validation of existing accounting treatments and troubleshooting of process and accounting issues.• Liaised with external auditors to assist with the quarterly and annual financial statement audit. • Coordinated with external auditors for SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) walkthroughs and addressed their questions and concerns related to SOX controls. • Conducted monthly review of the General Ledger (GL) Account Packages to verify accuracy and completeness of the balances. • Reviewed end-to-end process flows related to launch of a new product to assess finance risks and provided recommendations on mitigating controls to address those risks.Selected Accomplishments:• Nominated for the CFO Quarterly Performance Award in recognition of successfully resolving a complex accounting issue requiring application of IFRS 15.• Worked on various complex accounting issues and provided invaluable technical accounting advice to management on correct interpretation and application of accounting standards.

Bahrain

• Managed the preparation of quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements for the Group in accordance with IFRS and its subsidiaries based in Cayman Islands and United States. • Coordinated with external auditors in the annual and quarterly financial statement audit of the Group, its various subsidiaries and private equity funds. • Conducted timely reviews of Fund Financial Statements, Partners’ Capital Statements (PCAPS), Capital Call and Distribution Notices before circulation to the Limited Partners. • Collaborated closely with the Investor Relations Team to address inquiries from Limited Partners regarding PCAPS, Net Asset Value (NAV) calculations, Capital Commitments, Capital Calls, Distribution Notices, and related matters.• Provided oversight of portfolio company valuations prepared by the deal teams and reviewed financial models for accuracy.• Reviewed and approved daily bookings of investment related transactions including additions, disposals, revaluations, and distributions. • Organized trainings and mentored junior team members to foster their growth and enhance team capabilities. Selected Accomplishments:• Led the early adoption of IFRS 9 initiative, analyzed the financial statement impact and successfully completed the implementation.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Led the preparation of consolidated financial statements of the Group in accordance with IFRS. • Coordinated effectively with the fund administrator to ensure that accurate books of accounts and data was maintained for various Private Equity and Credit Funds managed by Gulf Capital. • Timely reviewed the Fund Financial Statements, Partners’ Capital Statements, Capital Call and Distribution Notices before circulation to the limited partners. • Collaborated with external auditors during financial statement audits of the Group and Private Equity and Credit Funds, providing necessary support and documentation. • Assisted the Investor Relations Team in addressing inquiries from limited partners regarding PCAPS, NAV Calculations, Capital Commitments, Capital Call and Distribution Notices, etc. • Prepared comprehensive memos for senior management outlining proposed accounting treatments for complex transactions in accordance with relevant IFRS.• Reviewed portfolio company valuations prepared by the deal teams and assessed financial models for accuracy.• Prepared periodic management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial presentations for the senior management.

Lahore, Pakistan

• Conducted financial statement audits for clients in accordance with IFRS and relevant local laws and regulations.• Led multiple audit engagements from planning through execution to completion stages, adhering to International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and PwC audit guidelines.• Worked on various Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) assignments identifying process gaps and recommending improvements to enhance operational efficiency and improve controls.

Cpa Member

Bachelor’S Degree, Bsc (Hons) In Applied Accounting

Association Of Chartered Certified Accountants (Uk)