SHAHEEL PRAKASH
Auckland,New Zealand
Summary
Experienced with financial analysis, strategic planning, and business partnering. Utilizes financial expertise to drive informed decision-making and enhance business performance. Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization, contributing to overall growth and profitability.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Finance Business Partner
Emerge Aotearoa Group
05.2025 - Current
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting across key service units.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance budgeting processes and improve financial reporting accuracy.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for cost reduction and revenue growth.
- Provided insights on financial performance to senior management, driving informed business strategies and priorities.
- Enhance financial reporting processes and data accuracy through system improvements.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, forecasts, and variance analysis.
- Promote system improvements and staff training in ERP platforms
- Develop detailed financial models, forecasts and budgets
- Support scenario planning and sensitivity analysts.
Chief Commercial Officer
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Tonga Limited)
09.2020 - 04.2025
- Review and analyze the success and effectiveness of our Go-T- Market approach, reinvigorate to stay ahead of the market.
- Partner with other leadership teams to provide commercial insight and analysis that supports key business decisions and drives results.
- Evaluated acquisition targets for strategic growth opportunities, leading successful negotiations and integrations.
- Help scope, propose, and execute strategic initiatives, including supporting business development in new markets and channels.
- Support the annual budget and forecast cycle, including sales and operational planning (S&OP), ensuring alignment with business goals and financial targets.
- Analyzed financial data to identify areas for cost savings and improved profitability.
- Design and implement procedures and processes to improve effectiveness of sales finance teams regionally.
- Analysis experience across large data sets.
- Proficient experience in MS Excel and Power BI.
- Collaborated closely with sales teams to ensure alignment between company strategies and customer needs.
Group Financial Controller
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Central Resource Limited)
12.2017 - 08.2020
- Overall supervision of accounting and statutory reporting and tax compliance and accounting functions for the Pacific Markets. (PNG, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and Nauru)
- Assisted with the development of annual budgets for review by senior management team.
- Reviewed and analyzed corporate performance data to identify areas for improvement or cost savings.
- Developed and implemented financial policies and procedures to ensure effective internal control systems.
- Managed a team of finance (20) professionals in order to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with regulations.
- Led initiatives aimed at improving cash flow management practices throughout the organization.
- Collaborated with external auditors on annual audits and ensured accuracy of financial statements.
- Created monthly variance analyses highlighting discrepancies between actuals versus budgets across various cost centers.
Financial Controller
Carpenters Fiji Limited
02.2016 - 12.2017
- Prepared ad hoc analyses as needed by senior leadership team members.
- Implemented new technologies to streamline financial operations.
- Created periodic financial reports to management for decision making purposes.
- Assisted with the development of annual budgets for review by senior management team.
- Maintained detailed records of all financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, forecasting, payroll and general ledger.
- Reviewed and analyzed corporate performance data to identify areas for improvement or cost savings.
Senior Financial Accountant
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Fiji Limited)
04.2014 - 02.2016
- Generated monthly financial reports and presented them to senior management.
- Managed a team of finance professionals responsible for accounting operations including payroll processing, accounts receivable and payable, bank reconciliations.
- Conducted regular reviews of accounts receivable and payable processes to identify areas for improvement.
- - Preparation of Finance section of the Board Reports with explanations for variance against budgets
- - Annual Budgetary compilation with CFO and all Department heads
- - Daily opex management and detailed opex analysis reporting done to CFO and Senior Management
- - Monthly forecasting for full year P&L and analyzing variance against budget on a monthly basis
- - Weekly NTF reporting to CFO and final submission to Regional Financial Planning Manager
- - Ensure daily circulation of key internal KPI reports to Senior Management and notify them of any variances against targets / budgets for the periods concerned
- - Coordinating monthly GL reconciliation, reviewing and ensuring no material issues
- - Ensure accurate financial records are maintained for external audits / internal audits and timelines complied with
- - Delivery of Month-end Internal Audit checklist
- - Cash Flow Management and Bi monthly reporting to Group
- - Fixed Assets - Bi-monthly Capex Reports to Group
- - Ensuring accuracy of receivables balances.
- - Review and payables reconciliation
- - Ensuring the maintenance of accurate accruals and prepayments schedules.
- - Responding to queries from internal and external department.
- - Managing suppliers and payment terms especially when cashflow is challenged.
Senior External Auditor
BDO Fiji
12.2009 - 04.2014
- Collaborated effectively with team members in order to complete projects within designated timelines.
- Lead and manage the external audit process for a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries.
- Plan, execute, and finalize audits in compliance with applicable auditing standards and procedures.
- Review and analyze financial statements, ensuring they are in line with applicable regulations and standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP).
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, providing valuable insights and advice.
- Supervise, mentor, and train junior audit staff, ensuring a high standard of work and professional development.
- Identify potential risks and provide recommendations for improvements in internal controls.
- Assist with the preparation of audit reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders.
- Manage multiple audit assignments simultaneously, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget.
- Stay current with changes in accounting and auditing standards, as well as industry trends.
- Support the audit manager/partner in business development activities, including proposal writing and client meeting
- TOP 10 Accounting Firm
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting And Finance
University of South Pacific
Suva, Fiji12.2009
Skills
- Financial planning
- Budgeting processes
- Forecasting accuracy
- Data analysis
- Revenue growth techniques
- ERP system improvements
- Variance analysis reporting
- Stakeholder communication
- Strategic initiatives execution
- Business development support
- Market analysis
- Audit coordination
- Pricing strategy
- Customer relationship development
- Mentoring and training
- GAAP
- Internal controls
- Budget forecasting
- Project finance
- KPI management
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Customer service
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant
Languages
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Finance Business Partner
Emerge Aotearoa Group
05.2025 - Current
Chief Commercial Officer
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Tonga Limited)
09.2020 - 04.2025
Group Financial Controller
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Central Resource Limited)
12.2017 - 08.2020
Financial Controller
Carpenters Fiji Limited
02.2016 - 12.2017
Senior Financial Accountant
Telstra Subsidiary (Digicel Fiji Limited)
04.2014 - 02.2016
Senior External Auditor
BDO Fiji
12.2009 - 04.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting And Finance
University of South Pacific