Sydul Arefin
Financial Analyst
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About
8+ years of progressive FP&A and financial analysis experience spanning U.S. public accounting, commercial banking, and insurance - with deep expertise in financial planning and analysis, complex variance analysis, financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, monthly consolidations, GL accounting, journal entries, and management reporting, and compliance-based financial operations. Consistent track record of preparing detailed variance analysis with written narratives for executive leadership, building financial models and pro-forma statements, leading budgeting cycles, supporting month-end close, and partnering cross-functionally with operations, sales, and accounting teams to deliver actionable financial insights.
Advanced
Excel and Power BI proficiency with strong understanding of GAAP principles. Holds MBA Finance, MBA IT (GPA 4.00/4.00), CISA, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and CFA Investment Foundations. IEEE Senior Member with 12 peer-reviewed publications (Springer & IEEE), 170+ citations, and h-index 6 - demonstrating analytical rigor applied in both professional and research contexts.
Experience
Financial Analyst
Shafiq Hasan CPA P.L.L.C. | Richardson, TX
October 2024 – Present
Prepare monthly financial management reports and conduct complex variance analysis across 20+ client accounts — analyzing deviations between actuals, forecasts, and budgets and delivering written narratives to senior leadership
Build detailed financial models and pro-forma statements including budgeting templates, rolling forecasts, scenario analyses, and sensitivity models
Lead annual budgeting cycles and quarterly forecast updates — coordinating with business unit managers, consolidating inputs, and preparing supporting schedules for approval
Prepare consolidated financial analysis for multiple business units — producing management reporting packages, KPI dashboards, and variance explanations using Advanced Excel and Power BI
Support month-end close including journal entry preparation, account reconciliations, and GL maintenance in compliance with GAAP
Proactively identify process improvement opportunities in financial reporting and forecasting workflows
Financial Systems Analyst
Shafiq Hasan CPA P.L.L.C. | Richardson, TX
February 2024 – October 2024
Developed and maintained complex financial models using Advanced Excel — forecasting templates, variance analysis tools, and consolidation models
Prepared ad hoc financial analyses and management reports translating complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership
Supported annual audit processes — preparing supporting schedules, reconciling sub-ledgers to GL, and ensuring GAAP compliance
Collaborated cross-functionally with operations and accounting teams to drive reporting enhancements and process improvements
Assistant Officer — Finance, Treasury and Remittance
Padma Bank Ltd. | Dhaka, Bangladesh
May 2019 – August 2022
Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial management reports for three operational divisions — producing consolidated variance analyses and written summaries for executive leadership
Managed GL and P&L accounts using Temenos (T-24) — posting journal entries, reconciling accounts, and preparing trial balances in compliance with institutional and GAAP standards
Built financial models using Advanced Excel — monitoring treasury metrics, investment returns, and FX positions to support senior leadership planning and capital allocation
Led budgeting and forecasting processes — coordinating assumptions, consolidating inputs, tracking actuals against plan, and preparing variance explanations for the annual budget approval process
Supported month-end close and audit processes — preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and providing audit documentation
Reconciliation Officer — Finance & Accounts
Brac Saajan Exchange Ltd. | Dhaka, Bangladesh
June 2018 – April 2019
Prepared monthly reconciliation reports and conducted variance analysis across multi-currency correspondent bank accounts
Posted journal entries and produced management reports to eliminate anomalies and ensure settlement accuracy
Conducted AML/CFT compliance reviews maintaining regulatory adherence across high-volume international financial flows
Senior Officer — Finance & Accounts
Fareast Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd. | Dhaka, Bangladesh
June 2016 – June 2018
Maintained ERP-based GL accounting records — recording daily receipts, payments, and vouchers with accuracy
Performed bank reconciliations and monitored payables and receivables across the full fiscal year
Analyzed economic and industry performance trends — preparing written financial analyses and oral presentations for executive management
Education
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration (MBA) — Information Technology
Texas A&M University-Texarkana (AACSB Accredited)
2022 – 2023 | GPA: 4.00 / 4.00
International Eagle Scholar — $17,959 Award
Master of Business Administration (MBA) — Finance
Independent University, Bangladesh (ACBSP Accredited)
2015 – 2017 | GPA: 3.09 / 4.00
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) — Finance | Minor: Accounting
Independent University, Bangladesh (ACBSP Accredited)
2011 – 2014 | GPA: 2.77 / 4.00
