Ahmed Arafa
Head of Finance at Alargan Towell Investment Company LLC- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Arabic Native or bilingual proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
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Certificate in Financial Analysis
School of Business The George Washington University, Organised by IIR Middle EastNov, 2012- Oct, 2024 -
Certified Cash Flow Manager (CCFM)
American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM)
Experience
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Alargan Towell Investment Company LLC
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Oman
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Real Estate
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1 - 100 Employee
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Head of Finance
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Jul 2006 - Present
I was hand-picked by company leaders for this key Financial Management leadership position with a prominent multinational real estate development company based in Kuwait and with locations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. I work as the senior financial manager for 14 separate corporate entities with approximately 45 employees and up to $100M in income-generating commercial and residential real estate assets, all operating under a single holding company joint venture with Kuwaiti and Omani partners. I report to the General Manager and the Board of Directors. Since 2010, I have served as a Board Member for two associate companies, ALARGAN Gulf Real Estate and ALARGAN Real Estate Project Management. As Finance Group Head, I plan, secure, manage, and oversee financing for multiple multi-million dollar projects, including diverse hotels, furnished apartments, residential, and commercial buildings. I lead and direct all essential and complex financial management responsibilities for the holding company and all of its subsidiaries. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS POSITION: • Consistently earned excellent annual performance reviews. • Proposed and won Board support for an acquisition-driven income generating strategy; secured $29M long-term bank loan on favorable terms to acquire commercial and residential properties. Effectively conveyed complex financial issues to non-financial stakeholders. • Spearheaded winning corporate strategy to overcome recession challenges, 2008-2010: successfully renegotiated with banks to restructure/reschedule up to $55M in bank-held debt, sold assets to secure cash, and persuaded partners to inject additional equity, restoring profitability. • Repeatedly demonstrated superior networking, negotiating, and presentation skills by securing funding for new projects, renegotiating terms for existing projects, winning new clients, and garnering the support of government officials. Show less
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ALARGAN
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France
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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Chief Accountant
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Jun 2002 - Jul 2006
Starting as a Senior Accountant, I was promoted in 2003 to one of two Chief Accountants for this major Kuwait-based commercial and residential real estate development company with subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, up to 90 staff, and annual income up to $25M. I supervised up to 8 direct reports and reported to the Chief Financial Officer and the Board of Directors. As a Chief Accountant, I co-led and directed all essential accounting and financial management tasks: prepared daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports; reviewed GL, A/P, and A/R accounts, reports, and data entry; monitored and updated bank accounts, bank credits and loans, monthly payroll, and daily cash reports; performed bank reconciliations; reviewed and reconciled intercompany transactions monthly; prepared, reviewed, and delivered management reports and consolidated financial statements; maintained and monitored accounting cycle; prepared and monitored budget and cash flow forecasts vs. actual; and managed month-end closeouts. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS POSITION: • Part of senior management team that took the company public in 2007. Helped lead highly technical, demanding 2003-2006 preparatory process to meet host-country IPO requirements. • Instrumental in opening new company branches in foreign markets, including Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, 2003-2007. Personally stood up Omani branch, hired new staff, and implemented all financial management systems. • Effectively supervised a $21M three-star hotel in Kuwait, gaining hospitality industry experience. • Transitioned company financial operations to MS Dynamic system. At the start of my career, from 1997 to 2002, I worked as an Accountant for several diverse small businesses in Egypt and Kuwait. Show less
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Education
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2014 - 2020
Candidate, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Associate’s Degree, ACCA, Certified Chartered Public Accountant -
2014 - 2016
ACCA
Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business, Accounting and Business/Management -
1999 - 2000
Advanced Excel 2000, Access 2000 & Internet Apps
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1993 - 1997
University of Helwan, Egypt
Bachelor’s Degree, Commerce (major: Accounting), 120 semester hours of accounting, business,and financial management. -
2012 -
School of Business, George Washington University- By South-Asian Management Technologies Foundation
Certificate in Financial Analysis -
2009 -
Institute for International Research
IFRS, IAS, and IFRIC update -
2009 -
Institute for International Research
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) -
2008 -
Institute for International Research
IFRS training -
2007 -
American Academy of Financial Management
Certified Cash Flow Manager (CCFM), Certified Cash Flow Manager (CCFM) -
2007 -
Becker CPA Review Course
Preparing for CPA Examinations -
2006 -
INFO Center
Advanced Financial Reporting and IAS -
2002 -
Arab Society of Certified Accountants
ACPA Examination courses -
1997 -
Management and Development Center
Principles of Measurement & Analysis
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