Zeeshan Haider
Guelph,Canada
Summary
Dynamic finance leader with extensive experience at Canada's third-largest brewery, specializing in financial analysis and strategic planning. Proven track record in optimizing profitability and implementing process improvements, fostering high-performing teams, and driving data-driven decision-making to enhance financial outcomes. Adept at stakeholder engagement and delivering actionable insights for growth.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
11.2024 - Current
- Lead the FP&A function, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to drive strategic decision-making.
- Manage a team of four direct reports and four indirect reports, fostering professional growth and high performance.
- Partner with senior leadership to optimize profitability, cost structures, and financial strategy.
- Oversee cost accounting, inventory management, and operations finance, ensuring financial accuracy and efficiency.
- Implement process improvements and BI tools to enhance reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing feedback and coaching for team development.
National Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
05.2023 - 11.2024
- Managed and oversaw all day-to-day activities of the Financial Planning & Analysis team, with four direct reports.
- Developed and oversaw the implementation of the annual budgeting process.
- Reviewed and approved national and regional monthly financial statements and analyses.
- Led the development of financial models to project long-term growth and determined the impacting business factors.
- Prepared business cases to support innovation and the introduction of new products.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing feedback and coaching for team development.
Manager, Financial Reporting & Compliance
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
09.2020 - 05.2023
- Managed and oversaw all day-to-day activities of the Financial Accounting team, with 3 direct reports and 2 indirect reports.
- Oversaw all activities in the General Ledger, took ownership of the month-end close process.
- Oversaw the preparation, review, and approval of journal entries, as well as Federal and Regional indirect tax submissions.
- Directed preparation of financial statements in compliance with IFRS and US GAAP for monthly internal reporting, quarterly, and annual external reporting.
- Led the JSOX committee, ensured compliance with the internal control checklist for the parent company, developed, initiated, and coordinated all internal control projects.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing feedback and coaching for team development.
Senior Financial Analyst, Quebec
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
09.2017 - 09.2020
- Performed monthly financial statement variance analysis (vs. forecast, budget, and prior year) of the business and presented regional monthly financial results to the national management team.
- Provided support to all regional departments by providing financial analysis, and made actionable recommendations to business leaders to improve financial results.
- Investigated and understood regional industry trends, and worked with the regional leadership team to adjust to the changing business environment.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives by enhancing tools and processes.
- Finance business partner for national, regional management, and external partners.
General Accountant
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
07.2015 - 09.2017
- Communicated monthly financial outcomes to both internal and external customers.
- Processed intercompany consolidation and SG&A expense entries at month-end.
- Generated accurate journal entries for tracking intercompany accounts, inventory activity, and revenue recognition.
- Generated monthly invoices for associated entities and partner companies.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures to ensure proper internal controls are in place.
Finance Associate
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
04.2014 - 07.2015
- Compiled journal entries to align bank accounts.
- Recognized FX on currency swaps.
- Projected cash flow to ensure operational requirements are met.
- Advised on currency swaps for effective operations.
- Prepared regular financial reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders.
- Assisted with year-end audit processes by providing requested documents to auditors in a timely manner.
Accounts Payable Associate
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Canada
12.2013 - 03.2014
- Processed invoices while accurately coding to appropriate general ledger accounts.
- Confirmed all invoices were aligned with corresponding POs and proper approvals for thorough 3-way verification.
- Addressed month-end closing functions for detailed reporting.
- Verified vendor accounts by reconciling monthly statements and related transactions.
Education
CPA, CMA -
Certified Management Accountants of Ontario
01.2015
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Co-op (H. BBA) -
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON01.2013
Skills
- Financial analysis
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Cost accounting
- Business intelligence
- Profitability optimization
- Strategic planning
- Data-driven decision making
- Process improvement
- Stakeholder engagement
Volunteer Involvement
- Ontario Ismaili Volunteer Corps, 06/01/02, Present, Associate Director Support Services, Southwest Ontario, 01/01/24, Present, Program Manager, Southwest Ontario, 01/01/22, 12/01/23, Captain, Guelph, 01/01/19, 12/01/21, Vice-Captain, Guelph, 07/01/15, 12/01/18, Team Lead, Guelph, 01/01/13, 06/01/15, Volunteer, Guelph, 06/01/02, 12/01/13
- World Partnership Walk - Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Waterloo, ON, 2002, Present, Director of Finance & Logistics, 2015, Present, Logistics Volunteer, 2002, 2015
- Volunteer Income Tax Preparer – Canada Revenue Agency, 2016, Present
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Urdu
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Full Professional
Gujarati
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
11.2024 - Current
National Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
05.2023 - 11.2024
Manager, Financial Reporting & Compliance
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
09.2020 - 05.2023
Senior Financial Analyst, Quebec
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
09.2017 - 09.2020
General Accountant
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
07.2015 - 09.2017
Finance Associate
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
04.2014 - 07.2015
Accounts Payable Associate
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
12.2013 - 03.2014
CPA, CMA -
Certified Management Accountants of Ontario
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Co-op (H. BBA) -
Wilfrid Laurier University
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