Mirwais Zahid, ACCA

Senior Finance & Audit Leader
Kabul, AF.

About

Highly accomplished Finance & Audit professional with over 13 years of progressive leadership experience across aviation operations, donor-funded programs, and private sector institutions. Proven expertise in financial strategy, compliance, audit management, and ERP integration, consistently driving operational efficiencies and robust financial governance. A proud ACCA member, adept at team leadership, complex donor engagement, and adherence to international reporting frameworks, currently spearheading financial oversight in challenging aviation environments.

Work

GAAC
|

Senior Finance Manager

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Oversaw comprehensive financial operations for aviation ground handling and concessions, ensuring compliance and strategic financial reforms.

Highlights

Oversaw comprehensive financial operations for aviation ground handling and concessions, managing multi-million dollar revenue streams and optimizing cost centers.

Reviewed and negotiated complex SGHA agreements, ensuring financial terms aligned with strategic objectives and minimizing revenue leakage.

Managed outstanding balances and resolved high-stakes disputes with airlines and government bodies, recovering significant receivables and improving cash flow.

Addressed intricate audits and tax issues, ensuring full compliance with international standards and successfully mitigating potential liabilities.

Led implementation of strategic financial reforms, enhancing operational efficiency and bolstering financial transparency across aviation operations.

PARSA INGO
|

Director of Finance

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Directed all finance operations for an international NGO, ensuring robust donor compliance, reporting, and strategic budgeting.

Highlights

Directed comprehensive finance operations for an international NGO, managing a multi-million dollar budget and ensuring robust donor compliance.

Prepared and presented detailed financial dashboards to the Board of Directors, providing critical insights that informed strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

Coordinated and managed annual audits and tax reporting processes, ensuring 100% timely submission and full regulatory compliance.

PARSA INGO
|

Finance Manager

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Managed budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting for an international NGO, enhancing donor relations and compliance.

Highlights

Managed full budgeting cycle, payroll for over 100 employees, financial reporting, and donor relations, ensuring adherence to grant requirements.

Led annual audit processes, resulting in clean audit reports and enhancing financial integrity and accountability across programs.

Oversaw successful implementation of QuickBooks, streamlining financial accounting and reporting, reducing manual effort by 20%.

Supreme Audit Office
|

Senior Grants Audit Expert

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Conducted high-level audits for World Bank projects and State-Owned Enterprises, developing critical audit methodologies.

Highlights

Conducted comprehensive financial and compliance audits for over 15 World Bank projects and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), identifying critical areas for improvement.

Developed and implemented new audit templates and methodologies, enhancing audit efficiency by 15% and improving consistency across audit teams.

Designed and delivered capacity-building materials for audit teams, significantly improving overall audit quality and expertise for 50+ auditors.

Afghan Samoon Company
|

Chief Financial Officer

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Directed finance, cash flow, and procurement strategy, enhancing internal controls and financial reporting systems.

Highlights

Directed overall finance, cash flow management, and procurement strategy, optimizing financial resources and achieving 10% cost savings.

Led and coordinated external audits, ensuring compliance and achieving favorable outcomes with no significant findings.

Implemented significant improvements to internal controls and financial reporting systems, strengthening financial governance and reducing error rates by 25%.

ARAP / World Bank Project, Ministry of Finance
|

Financial Reporting Specialist

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Coordinated donor reporting and financial compliance for a World Bank project across multiple government entities.

Highlights

Coordinated donor reporting and ensured financial compliance across 10+ Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and ministries for a multi-million dollar World Bank project.

Facilitated external audits and managed timely submission of Interim Financial Reports (IFR), maintaining project transparency and securing continued funding.

American University of Afghanistan
|

Finance Development Manager

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Advised clients on financial systems, trained startups, and managed internal/external reporting processes.

Highlights

Advised diverse clients on financial systems optimization, providing strategic guidance that improved financial health and operational efficiency for 5+ organizations.

Trained 10+ startups on financial management best practices, fostering sustainable business growth and investment readiness.

Managed internal and external financial reporting processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance for key stakeholders and enhancing transparency.

Dynamic Vision / USAID Project
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Treasury Manager

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Developed localized financial controls and improved governance for a USAID project, aligning systems with industry standards.

Highlights

Developed and implemented localized financial controls, strengthening financial oversight and reducing compliance risks for a USAID-funded project.

Improved governance and procurement systems, enhancing transparency and efficiency across project operations and achieving 5% cost reductions.

Ensured project financial activities aligned with international industry standards, mitigating risks and improving audit readiness.

Afghan National Power Company
|

Finance Manager

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Oversaw treasury, tax, accounting, and audit coordination, ensuring IFRS compliance and proper documentation.

Highlights

Oversaw comprehensive treasury, tax, accounting, and audit coordination functions for a national power company.

Ensured full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) across all financial operations, improving reporting accuracy.

Managed proper tax documentation and timely payments for a multi-million dollar budget, mitigating financial penalties and ensuring regulatory adherence.

Afghan Wireless Communication Company
|

Finance Officer

Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Summary

Managed ERP-based financial operations, regional reconciliations, and procurement controls for a telecommunications company.

Highlights

Managed ERP-based financial operations, ensuring data integrity and efficient processing of over 1,000 monthly transactions.

Conducted regional reconciliations across 5+ regional offices, identifying and resolving discrepancies to maintain accurate financial records.

Implemented and monitored procurement controls, optimizing spending and ensuring compliance with company policies, achieving 5% cost savings.

Coordinated audit processes, contributing to successful external reviews and enhancing financial transparency.

Education

Indian School of Business Management & Administration
N/A, N/A, India

MBA

Financial Management

Kabul University
Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

Bachelor's Degree

Finance & Banking Affairs

Languages

Pashto
English
Dari

Certificates

ACCA Member

Issued By

ACCA

PEFA

Issued By

N/A

Introduction to Sustainable Finance

Issued By

N/A

ALP Leadership

Issued By

N/A

Fathom Adviser

Issued By

N/A

Skills

Aviation Finance & Ground Handling Agreements (SGHA)

Aviation Finance, SGHA, Ground Handling Agreements.

Budgeting & Financial Strategy

Budgeting, Financial Strategy, Strategic Planning, Financial Planning.

Audit Management & Compliance

Audit Management, Financial Compliance, Internal Audit, External Audit.

ERP & QuickBooks Systems

ERP Systems, QuickBooks, Financial Software, System Implementation.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Mentorship.

Donor-Funded Program Oversight

Donor Relations, Grant Management, Non-profit Finance, INGO Operations.

Taxation, Procurement & Government Liaison

Taxation, Procurement, Government Relations, Regulatory Compliance.

Financial Reporting

Financial Statements, IFRS, GAAP, Reporting Standards.

Internal Controls

Internal Controls, Risk Management, Fraud Prevention.

Cash Flow Management

Cash Flow, Liquidity Management, Working Capital.

Financial Analysis

Financial Analysis, Variance Analysis, Forecasting.