This profile summarizes the experience of an accounting and finance professional with 18 years of experience. He currently works as the Country Finance Controller for Almarai Co. in Dubai, where he is responsible for preparing budgets, financial reporting, cash flow management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Prior to this role, he held several other finance leadership roles within Almarai Co., including Regional Accounting Manager. He has a proven track record of improving organizational efficiency and profitability through strategic planning and analysis. He is proficient in ERP systems like SAP and possesses strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

1. Key Skills
Financial & Strategic Planning
(Budgeting of Sales, Heads
Expenditure & Various
Investment Decisions)
Financial Analysis and
Reporting
Cash Flow & Assets
Management
Business Strategy & Execution
Accounting
SAP Implementation
Fund Management & Budgeting
Training & Development
Team Building & Leadership
Merging of Business
Versatile, high-energy professional, successful in achieving business growth
objectives within turnaround & rapid changing environment
Industry Preference: FMCG/ Manufacturing/ Retail/ Any
Location Preference: UAE/ Dubai
Profile Summary
Highly accomplished accounting and finance management professional with
nearly 18 years’ experience in achieving greater organizational efficiency &
profitability; reduced organizational risk through comprehensive changes to
each department, ensuring maximum accuracy and quality
Dynamic and proficient in guiding companies under financial stress to
greater efficiency and profitability; reduces organizational risk through
comprehensive changes thus ensuring maximum accuracy and quality
Utilizes keen analysis, insights and team approach to drive organizational
improvements and implementation of best practices
A strategic planner with skills in analyzing existing financial systems &
procedures, preparing budgets, designing internal control systems and
facilitating effective decision-making
Background in developing and implementing financial structure, formulating
and establishing policies and strategies
Experienced in projecting accurate cash forecast to ensure that there is no
shortage in hand; expertise in taking adequate measures to monitor inflow
/ outflow of funds towards accomplishment of company objectives
Steered overall accounting operations and audit for the organization
including collections, purchase, contract compliance, receivables, deposits,
disbursements, payroll, fixed assets and inventory
A forward thinking person with communication, analytical & organizational
skills; exceptionally well organized with a track record that demonstrates
self-motivation, creativity and initiative to achieve both corporate and
personal goals
Career Timeline
R.P. Ananda Wijayakumara
Regional Financial Controller
anandapalipana@gmail.com
00971 526226779
People’s Leasing
Co. Ltd., as
Accounts
Executive
George Steuarts
Auto Supplies (Pvt.)
Ltd., as Assistant
Accountant
The Bobbin
Group of
Companies, as
Group Accountant
Sept’98 – Dec’00 Dec’00 – Aug’03 Aug’03-Apr’05
Almarai Co.,
Dubai as Country
Finance
Controller
Apr’05 till date

2. Education CA from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka in 2003
B.Sc. Accountancy (Special) from University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2000
Work Experience
Almarai Co., Dubai as Country Finance Controller
Presently working in UAE as Country Finance Controller, worked in Upper Gulf
spearheading the finance operation of Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain (from
September 2011 to December 2013) and KSA (from January 2005 to
September 2011)
Growth Path:
Apr’05 May’06 Accountant in Head Office
May’06 – Dec’07 Regional Accounting Manager
Jan’08 – till date Financial Controller
Key Result Areas:
As Financial Controller
Preparing and finalizing annual Budgets (Sales Volume, Head Count and
Expenses Budget)
Variance analysis to determine difference between projected figures &
actual expenditure and implementing corrective actions
Liaising with bankers for various fund requirements and treasury operations
Presenting a true and fair view of the financial position of the company by
preparing financial statements entailing P&L Account, Balance Sheet and
Annual Reports
Controlling company Fixed Assets for certain activities
Conceptualizing, implementing and supervising general ledger and financial
reporting processes and on time compliance of accounting standards
Preparing project reports, managing tie-up of funds (long term & short
term) including working capital requirements
Credit Control procedures and minimizing bad debts provision
Ensuring compliance to the govt. rules and regulations as laid down by
statutory authorities; preparing necessary documents, forms and returns as
required under the Companies Act and other Statutory Acts
Monitoring cash flows and ensuring that funds are arranged in the most
cost effective manner after projecting accurate cash forecast ensuring that
there is no shortage of cash in hand
Controlling inventory in various location, (over 250 varieties of products)
Monitoring various system of the company like Commission, Incentive, OT,
Outside contract with various customers (supermarkets)
Supporting the management for Investment decisions in new business by
analyzing the new projects (cash flow, IRR, Payback, NPV)
Providing IT solutions to the company as the In-charge of IT department
Acting as the main point of contact to the company External & Internal
Auditors (from head office) and provide all required information
Conducting KPI meetings (quarterly) with Div. Finance manager, Div. GM,
Regional GM and National sales Manager
As Regional Accounting Manager
Provided management information for Regional (RFC, RGM, RSM)
requirements and HO requirements (Possess knowledge of Business
Objects (BO report writing tool), SARAS and SAP)
Ensured the regional finance activities are performed in compliance with
finance policies and procedures of the company
Controlled the debtors and temporary credit outstanding (by conducting
debtors meeting)
Accountant in Head Office
Managed all payments & accounting of LTA of the company and dealt with
regional finance staff of 30 locations over the Gulf region for various
finance functions of the sales division
Budgeted, Project Evaluations (CAPEX), Accounting records, Sales
Projections, Various analysis for sales (Value, Volume, Margin, Customers,
Products), providing Management Information
Apr’05 till date

3. Highlights:
Merit of implementing SAP & implementing accounting procedures for new
regions; ensured staff recruitment, training & development
Presently managing outstanding amount having balance of 170 million
dirhams & bad debts provision 250,000
Successfully directed credit control procedures and minimizing bad
debts provision
Facilitated Amalgamation of business, integrated accounts of acquired
companies into the Almarai accounting system
Successfully implemented necessary internal controls such as Cash
management, Inventory, Assets
Took initiatives to cost saving activities that resulted in saving of 5M
amount for the company
Improved and executed strategies and processes, accomplishing corporate
goals and profitability for the company having an annual revenue of
AED1.7Billions /US$ 500 Million with more than 1800 (number) employees
within 7 (number) locations in UAE
Directed and coordinated all administrative and finance functions for
divisions involving administration of corporate insurance (risk
management), corporate legal matters with outside counsel, and annual
line of credit renewals with financial institutions
Previous Experience
Aug’03 – Apr’05
Dec’00 – Aug’03
Sept’98 – Dec’00
The Bobbin Group of Companies, Sri Lanka as Group Accountant
Reported To: Group Financial Controller and Director Finance
George Steuarts Auto Supplies (Pvt.) Ltd., Sri Lanka as Assistant
Accountant
Reported To: Group Financial Controller
People’s Leasing Co. Ltd., Sri Lanka as Accounts Executive
Reported To: Finance Manager and Accountant
Highlight:
Awarded the ‘Best Employee’ of the company for the year 2000
IT Skills
Familiar with Computerized Environment (ERP)
Hands-on experience with following computer packages:
o ERP (SAP) experience – Almarai Co.
o Microsoft Office (Word, Advanced Excel and PowerPoint presentations)
o Business Object (Report writing Tool) - Almarai Co.
o Experience in various accounting packages (SARAS - from Almarai,
MYOB - From Bobbin Group of Companies, ACUIRE - From George
Stuart Co.)
Personal Details
Date of Birth: 26th January 1974
Languages Known: English
Address: No. 55, Pahalagama Uhumeeya,
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Marital Status: Married
No. of Dependents: 4
Passport No.: N3461623
Visa Status: Transferable
Driving License: UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia