Specialization

Faiza Usman is an expert at designing and implementing customized accounting processes, systems, and solutions, which, when integrated within regular operations, empower finance personnel to simplify processes, save valuable time, money and resources on on-going repetitive activities, while increasing accuracy and compliance.  Her core focus areas include:

Start-up Company Support

Building an Accounting Department from the Ground-up
  • Designing the appropriate staffing model
  • Hiring full-time resources to execute the on-going accounting function
  • Set-up all financial and reporting functions, including cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and payroll
  • Develop the budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting process
  • Set-up internal management reports including defining Key Performance Indicators to support the management decision-making process
  • Cash management strategies including solutions to manage and report cash balances and develop an accounting chart of accounts unique to company requirements
Leading private to public transitions
  • Develop and set-up processes to execute external reporting requirements
  • Develop a process to report all public capital market filings
  • Design, implement, test and structure internal controls requirements 
Implementing new accounting standards such as IFRS

Internal Management Reporting

  • Evaluate, redesign and optimize monthly, weekly and daily financial scorecards

Internal Controls

  • Evaluate, design and develop internal controls to support management

External Public Company Reporting

  • Set-up and develop external financial statements, notes and Managements Discussion and analysis on an IFRS and US GAAP basis
  • Automate process to allow smooth quarter-end process

Improving Business Processes

Reduce accounting cycle time
Reduce and eliminate non-value added finance work
Full cycle business process evaluation, development, redesign and implementation
  • Redesign key business processes (i.e. financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting)
  • Increase automation and integration of financial processes
  • Business Performance Measurement and Management: Develop Key Performance Indicators, streamline and standardize processes, develop reporting milestones, manage people and resources
Standardize and optimize a standard Chart of Accounts
Eliminate cost centers and integrate within profit centers
Creating and implementing change management processes
Designing, developing and implementing new policies and procedures

System Implementations

Experience with supporting implementation of the following systems:
  • Hyperion Financial Management
  • Khalix
  • SAP
  • Business Warehouse
  • SockVanatage (Executive Performance Management System)