Muhammad Fairoz Abd Bahrin

MUHAMMAD FAIROZ Professional summary: Seasoned finance leader with 15+ years of experience in liquidity management, financial risk mitigation, and strategic cash flow optimization. Proven ability to strengthen corporate financial positions through disciplined treasury operations, regulatory-compliant frameworks (SOX, MFRS, IFRS), and cross-functional leadership. Passionate about leveraging technical expertise in cash management, working capital optimization, and financial governance to drive operational excellence and support organizational growth in dynamic industries. Areas of Expertise and Interest: Cash Flow & Liquidity Management: Improved working capital efficiency through optimized forecasting Risk Mitigation: Led RM12M Transfer Pricing documentation review and SOX compliance programs Regulatory Compliance: Deep knowledge of MFRS, IFRS and tax planning (MIDA-PS/ITA exemptions) Strategic Financial Analysis: Supported CAPEX decisions and business development initiatives ESG Integration: Advanced sustainability reporting aligned with financial strategy • • • • • Professional Experience Head of Finance (Operations), MSM Prai Berhad Penang, Malaysia | May 2021 – Present • • • • • Served as the primary financial business partner to the Plant Head of Operation, providing strategic guidance on all operational and financial matters. Developed and managed the plant's annual OPEX budget and CAPEX plan, leading the monthly and quarterly forecasting and variance analysis. Implemented robust cost accounting and KPIs to track production costs, efficiency, and variances, delivering actionable insights for profitability. Governed capital expenditure, partnering with engineering to build business cases and control project spending to validate ROI. Ensured financial integrity and compliance by overseeing inventory valuation, internal controls, and serving as the main audit contact. Key Achievements: • • • • Achieved a 7% cost reduction in 2024 and 5% in 2023 through process optimization and cost-saving initiatives. Received the Platinum Award for Best Finance Team (Complex Category) for Financial Reporting in 2023. Successfully closed a regulator-led Transfer Pricing audit (YE-) in 2024 with zero findings, securing estimated savings of RM12 million. Improved CAPEX management in 2023 and 2024, maintaining spending within approved budgets and achieving a project completion rate of over 90% with 85% on-time delivery, reducing cost overruns and enhancing investment efficiency. Senior Manager (Internal Audit, Assurance, SOX Compliance), Tesla Penang/Beijing/Shanghai | Feb 2019 – Dec 2019 • Led internal audits focusing on SOX compliance across multiple regions (Penang, China, North America, and EMEA), ensuring 100% adherence to SOX requirements for Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR). • Prepared comprehensive SOX compliance reports for senior management, highlighting key findings, progress, and improvement areas. Key Achievement: • Led a successful SOX compliance program at the new GF3 facility in Shanghai, ensuring 100% compliance with all SOX control matrices and zero audit findings during the 2019 external audit review. Senior Manager (Assurance/Advisory), Deloitte Penang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | May 2017 – Jan 2019 • Accounting Advisory: Guide clients through complex technical accounting under IFRS/MFRS, such as the implementations of IFRS 15 & IFRS 16. • Integrated Assurance: Manage engagements that blend traditional financial statement assurance with other assurance services (e.g., controls assurance for a specific business process). • Proposal Development: Lead the creation and pitching of proposals for advisory and specialized assurance projects. • End-to-End Audit Management: Lead multiple large, complex audit engagements from planning and risk assessment to execution and final reporting across various industries. • Performance Management: Conduct performance reviews and contribute to the career development planning of team members. Key Achievements: • Streamlined audit processes, reducing fieldwork time by 10-15%, leveraging technology and data analytics. • Led IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 implementations -) for key clients. Manager (Accounting & Finance), Intel Penang, Malaysia | April 2015 – May 2017 • Oversaw the preparation and consolidation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for business units/legal entities, ensuring adherence to internal controls and financial compliance. • Conducted detailed financial analysis, highlighting key trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement. • Led efforts to streamline financial processes within the shared services framework, improving efficiency. • Managed and mentored a team of finance professionals, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Key Achievement: • Took on an additional role as IFRS Project Manager and successfully delivered the IFRS implementation and adoption project for Malaysia, Pakistan, Mauritius, and other countries, ensuring a seamless transition with no audit findings for 2016 and 2017. Manager (Assurance/Advisory) PwC Penang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Jan 2013 – April 2015 • End-to-End Audit Management: Lead multiple large, complex audit engagements from planning and risk assessment to execution and final reporting across various industries. • Review audit documentation, financial statements, and reports to ensure compliance with methodology, applicable accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. • Contribute to the growth of the audit practice by identifying new business opportunities with existing clients and participating in proposals for new clients. • Performance Management: Conduct performance reviews and contribute to the career development planning of team members. Senior Associate to Manager (Assurance/Advisory) Deloitte Penang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Nov 2005 – Dec 2012 • Managed the entire engagement team's workflow, budgets, and deadlines. Was responsible for the efficient and timely completion of the audit. • Technical Review & Problem-Solving: Performed a detailed review of complex work papers and financial statement disclosures. Resolved escalated technical accounting and auditing issues. • Stakeholder Management: Began presenting audit findings and updates to senior client management (e.g., Finance Directors, CFOs) and the audit committee. • Coaching & Mentoring: Formally mentored Senior Associates and Associates, providing onthe-job training and contributing to their professional development. Professional Qualifications and Certifications: • Bachelor of Accounting (Hons), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) • Chartered Accountant, Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) • Associate Member, CPA Australia • Associate Member, Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia (IIAM) • ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant (ASEAN CPA) • Certified Professional in Integrity Assurance and Management (USM) Contact Information: 📧 Email:-📞 Phone: - 🔗 LinkedIn: Muhammad Fairoz Abdul Bahrin