Adil Khawaja

Commercially focused Finance Manager with extensive experience in financial operations, business partnering, revenue management, working capital optimisation, financial reporting and stakeholder management across complex international and multi-jurisdictional organisations. Proven track record of partnering with senior leadership teams, clients and key stakeholders to improve cash flow, enhance profitability, strengthen financial governance and support strategic decision-making. Experienced in leading finance transformation initiatives, implementing process improvements and delivering measurable business outcomes within international business environments.

Recognised for driving operational excellence, strengthening financial controls, building trusted stakeholder relationships and delivering sustainable improvements in working capital, revenue recovery and overall financial performance.

Finance Manager Middle East at DWF LLP (2026-05 – Present)

• Serve as the Finance Business Partner to Partners and senior stakeholders across the Middle East, providing commercial insight, financial challenge and strategic support to drive business performance.
• Lead working capital management across the UAE and Qatar, improving cash flow, reducing lock-up and driving accountability for billing and collections performance.
• Oversee the end-to-end revenue cycle, collaborating with Partners, fee earners, clients and UK Finance teams to maximise revenue recovery and accelerate cash conversion.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, Partners and senior stakeholders, providing financial guidance, resolving complex commercial issues and influencing successful financial outcomes.
• Act as the primary finance adviser and escalation point for the region, supporting commercial decision-making and resolving complex financial matters.
• Deliver monthly financial and operational reporting, analysing revenue, profitability, WIP, debtors and cash flow to support business planning and performance management.
• Conduct P&L, budget and forecast reviews with senior stakeholders, providing financial insight, challenge and recommendations to improve profitability and operational performance.
• Chair WIP, debtor and working capital review meetings, identifying risks, challenging aged balances and driving timely billing and collection actions.
• Oversee client onboarding, matter set-up, intercompany arrangements, pricing structures and rate implementation, ensuring robust financial governance, compliance and commercial effectiveness.
• Manage regional banking, payment allocations, reconciliations and cash management activities across multiple jurisdictions.
• Lead finance process improvement initiatives, implementing controls and best practices to enhance efficiency, financial governance and service delivery across the region.
• Provide leadership and guidance to UK Billing and Finance teams supporting the Middle East business, fostering a proactive and commercially focused approach.

Working Capital Lead at DWF LLP (2024-01 – 2026-04)

• Partnered with Partners, Client Relationship Partners, fee earners and senior stakeholders to improve working capital performance, enhance cash flow and strengthen financial discipline.
• Led billing, WIP and collections improvement initiatives, optimising the revenue cycle and accelerating cash conversion across the division.
• Initiated and led data-driven working capital projects to reduce aged WIP, improve lock-up performance and recover unbilled disbursements, delivering enhanced financial governance and supporting improved cash generation.
• Provided strategic insight and performance reporting on WIP, billing, collections and aged debt, supporting informed decision-making and alignment with business objectives.
• Resolved complex at-risk WIP and aged debt matters, including rate reviews, billing disputes and write-off recommendations, improving recoverability and reducing financial exposure.
• Collaborated closely with Finance Business Partners and operational teams to identify risks, strengthen controls and improve financial outcomes across the division.
• Supported the development and implementation of working capital strategies, financial controls and process improvements across key client portfolios.
• Built trusted relationships with Directors, Partners, CRPs and operational teams, acting as a key point of contact for both strategic and operational finance matters.
• Worked closely with global stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions and time zones to ensure consistency in reporting, governance and financial processes.
• Recognised for strong performance and contribution to working capital, revenue recovery and financial improvement initiatives.

Invoice Improvement Lead at DWF LLP (2021-02 – 2024-01)

• Led invoice process improvement initiatives, enhancing billing accuracy, operational efficiency and revenue realisation across key client accounts.
• Supported the financial onboarding of new clients, establishing billing structures, rate configurations and invoicing protocols aligned to client and business requirements.
• Acted as a subject matter expert for invoicing processes, identifying inefficiencies and implementing sustainable process improvements to strengthen financial controls.
• Conducted root cause analysis on billing issues, driving continuous improvement and reducing recurring process failures.
• Managed WIP and disbursement reporting for commercial and insurance clients, supporting month-end revenue delivery, billing performance and financial governance.
• Delivered training, support and guidance to Finance teams on invoicing procedures, promoting consistency, best practice and process compliance.
• Collaborated with Finance, Operations, fee earners and business stakeholders to improve billing processes and support wider transformation initiatives.
• Contributed to the development of a continuous improvement culture, enhancing financial processes, controls and service delivery across the function.
• Recognised for outstanding performance and contribution to finance transformation, process improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

Service Desk Analyst at Dentsu Aegis Network (2020-01 – 2021-12)

Billing Account Manager at Vodafone Limited (2017-01 – 2020-12)

Service Desk Analyst at Vodafone Limited (2014-01 – 2017-12)

Recruitment Screening Executive at Reed Global Screening (2018-01 – 2019-12)

Billing & Technical Specialist at SKY TV (2013-01 – 2014-12)

Cell / Team Leader at S&A Foods (2009-01 – 2013-12)

Business Operations & Development Manager at Khara Apparel Industries (2006-01 – 2009-12)

Business Development Executive at Attieh Steel Manufacturing (2006-01 – 2006-12)

Proprietor / Managing Director at Xpress Packages (2002-01 – 2005-12)

Team Leader at Abbey National Bank (1999-01 – 2002-12)

BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance – Arden University, Manchester (2024)

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science – University of Derby

Diploma in Psychology & Sociology – University of Derby

GNVQ in Business & Finance – Mackworth College, Derby

GCSEs – Littleover Community School, Derby