Author: sdhakad

Tushar is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He did his articleship at KPMG in corporate tax, international tax and audit. Post qualification, he managed a $10 billion AUM fund compliance at D.E. Shaw for 2 years. He worked at BCG for a few months and is currently running his own startup in Dubai.

His family business, Suntech Auditors & Consultants, is a 20-year-old CA firm that specializes in audit, tax, consultancy, VAT, AML and corporate tax. With a rich legacy, Suntech has enchanted over 1000 clients across 30+ nations, igniting success through cutting-edge solutions. From its UAE headquarters to their offices in Saudi and India, Suntech epitomizes global prowess in every stride.

Tushar has conducted various trainings for VAT and Corporate Tax. He has also co-authored research papers for VAT and Corporate Tax. He is particularly interested in how technology can transform tax collection, administration, governance and compliance.

His vision is to harness the power of AI to transform industries, enhance efficiency, and create positive social impact.

CA Sumayya Zain FCA, MBA possesses 16 years of deep expertise in audit, finance, and taxation. She is the CEO and founder of the Dubai-based Hallmark International Auditing of Accounts. She holds audit license from the Ministry of Economy and is a Fellow member of the Emirates Association of Auditors and Accountants. Additionally, she’s a member of the Dubai Chapter of ICAI and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Delhi, India. Beyond this, Sumayya leads the IT firm Ubiz Technologies LLC and provides specialized tax consultancy through the online platform, taxconsultants.ae. She is also partner of Hallmark Auditing & Accounting (UK) LTD, a company based in the UK, and a co-owner of Hallmark International Consultants in India.

Shrikant is a Senior Finance Professional and Managing Director @ Monitor Group. Before taking over Monitor, Shrikant has worked with various companies in the UAE as CFO and Financial Controller. He has been an active member on the Board committees. Shrikant has extensive experience in fund raising with banks and has successfully managed various local and international banking relationships. Shrikant is a Chartered Accountant from India and a CFA Charter holder from the CFA Institute, USA. He is a Certified Auditor from the Accounts Auditors Department of the UAE Ministry of Economy. He is passionate about teaching and has keen interest in Corporate Finance, Equity & Portfolio Management.

Narendra Kumar Modi currently working as Director Finance with Onex Holding Limited Dubai, a well-known diversified conglomerate investment & holding company with energy business spread across UAE & Iraq and strategic investments in UK & Europe.

He has rich working experience of more than 32 years (22 years in UAE) in Manufacturing, Trading & Retail, Property & Real Estate and Oil & Gas sector. Major core areas of experience are Finance, Accounts, Costing, MIS, ERP implementation and Direct & Indirect Taxation.

He is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Company Secretary(CS) from India and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from USA.

Experienced Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Handled IT Audits and Forensic Audits as a qualified professional. Skilled in Tax, Internal Audit, IT Audit, Corporate Finance, and Data Analysis. Strong professional with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) focused in Accounting and Finance from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai. Currently assisting corporates in GCC with historic VAT and Corporate tax implementation.

Hemmnth Mundhra has been in Dubai for more than 20 years and is the Managing Partner of The TotalCFO. He has around 30 years of experience as Chartered Accountant and Management Accountant in various industries and corporate groups such as Al Tayer Group, Saif Al Ghurair Group, Dhabi Group, Aditya Vikram Birla Group, among others.

He has a hands-on understanding of Profitability & Cost drivers, ERP Implementation, Restructuring of debts, Contracts Management and Risk management & Compliance of local laws. He has grossed up savings and increase in profitability of approx. USD 47.5m in his career so far.

I help solve Clients’ need of Financial Management to achieve Business Plan, Valuation & Budget documents in place, as Actionable Documents. Compliance, Corporate Governance and Taxation matters come as Add-ons.

He is a confident public speaker and Distinguished Communicator.

His favourite quote, “You get what you reward for. If you want ants to come, you put sugar on the floor” – Charlie Munger.

Khushboo Agarwal, is a Co-Founder and Partner at Fincirc International Management & Group companies. Fincirc is an established consulting firm which specializes in Tax, Audit and Advisory functions, with growing team of qualified professionals, working from offices present in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & India.

She has accumulated diversified experience of over 15 years across various areas of Taxation, Advisory, Management Consultancy, Process Development, Cost Management being some of them. She is a Chartered Accountant and member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. During initial years of her professional life, she got opportunity to work with some leading CA firms in India, which gave her immense exposure to understand complex tax laws and audit procedures. Then in UAE, as part of multi-national company – Landmark Group, got to learn and hone Financial Planning & Analysis techniques, understand business environment of multiple GCC & MENA countries, evaluating newly introduced E-Commerce model, Cost Management & Product Pricing.

Her area of specialization is Tax & Compliance. With her expertise in UAE Tax Structuring, Financial Advisory and Cost Management, she is an advisor on board to many esteemed Private conglomerates, Family offices and Semi-Government Organizations. She is responsible for developing specialized team and guiding them to execute assignments related to Corporate Tax, VAT, ESR, AML, Excise Tax etc. During VAT roll out in UAE, she assisted in successful implementation of VAT framework for all the clients. Currently on VAT side, her focus is on more complex assignments related to GCC Transaction Advisory, VAT audit assistance and VAT compliance checks.

For Corporate Tax, she advising on impact and implementation of same, to our clients from MNE to SME segments. She has conducted webinars on Corporate Tax in collaboration with ICAI RAK chapter and Private Universities and many more private training sessions for clients. She is also regular contributor on tax update articles in media.

Mahesh M. Bhatia is an Associate Chartered Accountant by profession, qualified in the year 1990, and possesses over 30 years of post-qualification experience. His vast exposure includes banking, statutory audit, internal audit and management and financial consultancy.

At present he is an Executive Director in a group entity based in Dubai, with headquarters in Oman. He is a keen learner and has significant exposure to the UAE Value Added Tax.

Pradeep Sai, a distinguished partner at Emirates Chartered Accountants Group [ECAG], boasts a remarkable career spanning over 25 years, marked by significant achievements in Auditing, Business Advisory Services, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Corporate Finance. His journey prior to ECAG began with a pivotal role as the Regional Head of Finance & Accounts at a prominent public financial institution in India, where his contributions left an indelible mark on the institution’s financial management landscape.

Within ECAG, Pradeep Sai shoulders a strategic leadership position, specializing in CFO Services and Advisory & Consulting Services. Leveraging his extensive experience, he provides invaluable financial guidance to a diverse clientele, tailor-made to address their unique needs. Notably, Pradeep Sai has helped many small businesses in the UAE by creating specialized financial solutions for their trade and project needs. His expertise extends to resolving intricate issues related to working capital management and optimizing the allocation of company funds.

As a trusted strategic advisor, Pradeep Sai is the go-to contact for top-level management seeking solutions to finance and operational challenges in the dynamic UAE market. His profound insights into the intricacies of the business landscape enables him to collaborate effectively with organizations, enabling them to navigate complex financial issues with confidence.

Pradeep Sai’s qualifications, including his status as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and a Commerce Graduate, underlines his expertise and unwavering commitment to delivering high-level financial services to clients and organizations. His reputation as a trusted and accomplished professional solidifies his position as a pillar of excellence in the field of finance and business advisory being a partner at ECAG.

Came to Dubai in July 1983 as chartered accountant and auditor in the Firm Mahendra Asher & Co, Dubai. Practising in Dubai for 40 years as auditor and business advisor. Currently I am Managing Director in Mahendra Asher & Co., registered as Auditor with the Ministry of Economy under Registration No 77.

As a Partner, I handle audits, company formation-offshore and onshore, corporate secretarial and support services, VAT and Corporate Tax advisory services, business valuation, due diligence, and business advisory services apart from admin functions of the Firm.

Education :

B.Com. (Hons.) that is Commerce Graduate with Hons., from Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, Bombay University

Completed Chartered Accountancy course from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in May 1980 exam, securing 2nd Rank (Silver Medal) and admitted as an Associate Member (A.C.A) of ICAI in 1980. Became a Fellow (F.C.A.) in 1985.

For chartered accountancy course, I completed Articleship training (April 1977 to Mar 1980) with Bansi S Mehta & Co, Bombay, India, a leading firm of Chartered Accountants, and thereafter continued as an Executive in the said Firm till June 1983, acquiring experience in accounting and auditing services, plus specialised financial, legal and tax advisory services.

Qualified as C.F.A. that is Chartered Financial Analyst, in 1990 and Member CFA Institute, USA in 1990.

Honorary positions :

Hon. Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of India Club (2019-2023 and previously 2006-2010)

India Club is a non-profit institution operating in Dubai since 1964 (59+ years) and regulated by Community Development Authority. It provides to it its members and guests sports and health facilities, organises cultural and entertainment activities and also pursues humanitarian activities under guidance of Community Development Authority.

Member of the Board of Directors of JHI Association (2016-2020) (network of international accounting firms of which the firm Mahendra Asher & Co was a member) which later merged into Abacus Worldwide in which Firm continues to be its member (https://www.abacusworldwide.org)