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Our team
Sanzar Kakar, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer
Project and Financial Management, Systems Development
Sanzar Kakar graduated from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and is currently a candidate for a Master's in Business Administration from Warwick Business School. Following his undergraduate degree, Mr. Kakar worked for Merrill Lynch as a Technology Analyst on a trading desk for bonds and equities, creating a link for automatic reporting to NASDAQ.
Mr. Kakar started in Afghanistan as an Investment Associate for Acap Partners, setting up a $20MM venture capital facility and sourcing over 300 new deals for consideration. Mr. Kakar joined as an Executive Advisor to the Attorney General's Office of Afghanistan on a U.S. Department of State program to reorganize the institution and setup a nationwide paper and computer criminal case management system spanning 7 justice institutions. Mr. Kakar then served as the Economic Advisor for the Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility, setting up operational and fiduciary requirements for the 7 year $100MM grant facility in Kabul, followed by a promotion to Deputy Team Leader. Mr. Kakar is fluent in Dari, Pashto, English, and speaks some Urdu.
Suleman Fatimie, Partner
Organizational Development, Advisory and Management, Private Sector Development
Suleman Fatimie earned his MBA from Preston University in the UK with a specialization in Human Resource Management. Prior of becoming the Partner at Afghanistan Financial Services LLC Mr. Fatimie was the CEO of Harakat-Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility, a grant facility managing a portfolio of US$ 50 million (2009-2011). In two years with Harakat Mr. Fatimie sourced over 40 projects from the Government, Private Sector and Civil Society for funding consideration and approval. Before joining Harakat-AICF, Mr. Fatimie was the CEO of Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) an Executive Agency of Ministry of Commerce and Industry (2007-2009). He played a very important role in the establishment of this agency; he was responsible for designing exportable offer development tools, while advising and advocating for the creation of an enabling environment for competitive exports. Mr. Fatimie also coordinated and advised Government stakeholders on export promotion and development strategy and policies. In October 2008, EPAA was awarded "Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Least Developed Country" by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
Before joining EPAA, Mr. Fatimie formulated strategies to promote and encourage foreign and domestic investment into Afghanistan, as the Vice President of Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA). During his term with AISA (2003-2006) he advised and consulted the High Commission on Investment regarding investment obstacles and elaboration of proposals to remove these barriers. AISA was the top reformer for starting a business, according to the World Bank 'Doing Business Indicators 2006' and was awarded 2nd Best Investment Promotion Agency by World Association of Investment Promotion Agency (WAIPA). He has been part of several major international conferences and exhibitions in countries across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and USA. Mr. Fatimie is fluent in Dari, Pashto, English, Urdu and speaks some Arabic.
Arian Sharifi, Partner
Institutional Reform, Strategic Communication, International Affairs
Arian Sharifi holds a high-profile and competent expertise in the field of public & international affairs. After graduating with a BA in Political Science from Wesleyan University, Mr. Sharifi fine-tuned his natural capabilities by accomplishing a Master in Public Affairs (MPA) with specialization in International Relations, from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, a part of the globally-acclaimed Ivy League institute of Princeton University.
Mr. Sharifi has worked as the Director of Communications and Public Relations Advisor at the Afghan Government's Ministry of Finance from 2006 to 2008, managing the Ministry's external relations with the donor community, the National Assembly and other GIRoA agencies; in addition to leading the organization's public and media affairs. He was the winner of the prestigious White Fellowship Award for Excellence in Government in 2007. He has regularly appeared on national and international media outlets in interviews, panel discussions, debates and commentaries. Moreover, Mr. Sharifi established the Finance Ministry's first anti-corruption unit, which was awarded over $1.5 million by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
While working as the Operations Research Analyst at the Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, Arian conducted extensive research on some of the major terrorist groups in South-Central Asia. Similarly, he worked as a Research Analyst for the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point between 2009 and 2011, providing detailed contextual and linguistic research on a wide range of militant propaganda publications.
Tracing his media stint, Mr. Sharifi has also worked as an Associate Producer for ABC News in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2003, covering the international military campaign against the Taliban and the subsequent political developments in the country. He has also filmed and co-produced many documentaries, including Dian Sawyer's Emmy-nominated feature Journey Out of Darkness, The Hunt for Osama bin Laden, Remember Afghanistan?, amongst several others. A celebrated personality in the Afghan region having an influential network, Mr. Sharifi is fluent in Dari, Pashto, and English and speaks some Urdu.
Farid Fayez, Chief Operating Officer
Organizational Management, Finance and Accounting
Farid Fayez has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in finance. He has nearly a decade of experience in financial services and project management in Afghanistan.
Since 2002, Mr. Fayez has been working in the field of finance. His experiences include working as a Financial Analyst for a construction and rehabilitation organization; as Financial Manager in multiple construction and reconstruction projects, including, but not limited to the construction of potable water reservoir includes (borehole, plumbing network, booster pump), as well as the reconstruction of women's dormitory at Kabul University. In 2010 he worked as Chief Finance Officer at Raz Tanha Construction Company, specifically focusing on one of the Company's major projects – construction of a 10-km asphalt road in Panjsher province. Before RTCC, Mr. Fayez set up the operational accounting system for Jami Pamir Construction Company as well as Alhaam Zahid Construction Company. He provided financial advisory services to both companies. Mr. Fayez is fluent in Dari, Pashto, English, and understand Urdu.
Ishfaq Shah, Financial Associate
Ishfaq Shah AFA, FFTA, is a practicing Associate Member of the Institution of Financial Accountants (IFA), one of top ten accountancy bodies in the UK, and a Fellow Member of Federation of Tax Advisors (FTA) in the UK.
Mr. Shah received his post-graduate degree in Human Resource Management from Oxford Business College, Oxford UK. Mr. Shah has successfully completed his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) studies from London, UK as well as completed the short term exams conducted by International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB).
Mr. Shah has over a decade of experience in accounting and taxation services in London and Kabul. Previously, he served as Assistant Finance Director for Spacetech International, a limited company in the UK. He has also served as Practice Manager and General Accountant with Salami Business Solutions as well as Assistant Accountant for Amity, a Chartered Management Accountant and Tax Consultancy firm. Mr. Shah has closely worked with and attended regularly CPDs conducted by tax authorities, including HMRC and Companies House.
Currently, Mr. Shah serves as a Financial Associate with Afghanistan Financial Services, managing a large portfolio of private sector clients, both national and international. Mr. Shah is fluent in English, Pashto and Urdu.
Yasir Shakoor, Financial Associate
Yasir Shakoor completed his GCE 'O' and 'A' Levels from Cambridge University through Beaconhouse School System in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has also completed his studies for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Mr. Shakoor has served as a Financial Associate at Afghanistan Financial Services since 2010. His work responsibilities include helping clients develop accounting systems, financial policies and procedures, set up financial software, including customization and training. His main areas of work are providing tax advice for a variety of clients, both national and international. Prior to joining AFS, Mr. Shakoor worked as an international trainer on a World Bank led capacity building project for Ministry of Finance officials worked at at executive, middle and operational management levels. The project was based on training and qualifying the Ministry of Financial officials as Certified Accounting Technicians (CAT) over the period of two years. Mr. Shakoor has also worked with various audit and accounting consultancies in Pakistan, including as a Junior Auditor for Rafaqat Babar and Company. Mr. Shakoor is fluent in English, Pashto and Urdu.
Hafizullah Mohmand, Financial Associate
Hafizullah Mohmand obtained his Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) from Kardan University in Kabul, Afghanistan. He subsequently pursued his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) in Finance, also from Kardan University. Mr. Mohmand is currently studying towards becoming a Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) formally registered with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) of London, UK.
Mr. Mohmand is currently working as a Financial Associate for Afghanistan Financial Services. His scope of responsibility at AFS includes facilitating clients in a variety of areas of accounting, including providing tax advice, managing their monthly and annual tax responsibilities, developing accounting systems, incorporating financial policies and procedures for the smooth running of client operations, carrying out internal audit reviews, and training the relevant staff on financial software.
Prior to joining AFS, Mr. Mohmand worked as an Accounts Manager with Afghan Fleet Group and Services (AFGS), one of the largest companies operating in Afghanistan. At AFGS, he planned out budgets for different regions, allocated expenditures, reported to executive level on performance, interviewed potential finance candidates, and reported to donors. Before AFGS, Mr. Mohmand worked with Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA). He worked there in various key positions, namely Branch Accountant, Senior Cashier, Loan Officer, and Credit Officer over his three year tenure. Mr. Mohmand is fluent in Dari, Pashto, English and speaks some Urdu.
Tariq Mojadidi, Financial Associate
Tariq Mojadidi graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance. He is also a certified OpenERP specialist as well as a QuickBooks technician. Mr. Mojadidi has worked with the Afghanistan Government, as a Public Relations Officer for the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan, as well as in the private sector as an Assistant Project Manager for the Public Relations and Event Management Company (PREMC).
Mr. Mojadidi has served as a Financial Associate at Afghanistan Financial Services since July 2011. His responsibilities include managing payroll systems, financial accounting systems and human resources.
Mr. Mojadidi speaks English, Farsi, Pashto, Arabic and Urdu.
Muhammad Asfandyar, Financial Associate
Muhammad Asfandyar graduated from Frontier College of Business Education in Peshawar, Pakistan with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He also obtained a Master's in Business Administration in Finance from Al-Khair University in Pakistan. Following his MBA, Mr. Asfandyar joined Rafaqat Babar & Company in Peshawar as a Junior Auditor and then as a Semi-Senior Auditor. Next, Mr. Asfandyar joined a manufacturing company named Micro Electronics International as a Finance Assistant before moving to the United Kingdom. He passed nine ACCA exams in London and obtained a Master's Degree in Accountancy and Finance from Greenford University, Manchester.
Following his second masters, Mr. Asfandyar worked at Ocean Finance & Mortgage Ltd London UK as a Credit Controller followed by General Ledger Accountant with Britannia Hotel Ltd Manchester UK. He moved to Dubai and worked as a Chief Accountant with East Top Trading Company (Import Export & Mortgage Business) and then was appointed with Star Group of Construction Company as a Finance Manager in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mr. Asfandyar currently serves as a Financial Associate with Afghanistan Financial Services, managing a portfolio of private sector clients, both national and international. He is fluent in English, Pashto and Urdu.
Atiullah Aqai, Financial Associate
Mr. Aqai obtained his Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) from the Abasyn Institute of Management Sciences in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He has started his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) in Finance at Bakhter University in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has completed his Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) from Bakhtar University which is formally registered with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Prior to joining AFS, Mr. Aqai worked as a Senior Cashier, Branch Accountant, HQ Accountant and Senior Accountant with Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA), one of the largest microfinance companies operating in Afghanistan. At FINCA, Mr. Aqai planned out budgets for different regions, prepared of financial reports of all regions, allocated income and expenditures, reported to executive level on performance, interviewed potential finance candidates, and prepared of monthly report for Board Meetings and for Donors. Before that, Mr. Aqai worked as a Finance/Site Supervisor with HARO Construction Company. He also has worked as a Finance/Admin Officer at Social Development and Health Care Organization (SDHCO).
Mr. Aqai is currently a Financial Associate at Afghanistan Financial Services. He is fluent in Dari, Pashto, and English and speaks Urdu.
Omid Bessed, Financial Analyst
Ahmad Omid Bessed graduated from Kardan High Institute of Business Administration & Information Technology with an Advanced Diploma for Business Administration and Management (DBA), specializing in Accounting and Financial Management. Mr. Bessed has studied English at the American English Language and Computer Education Center and studied computer hardware and software (including Microsoft Office and Intuit QuickBooks) at the Haris Institute of Information Technology.
Mr. Bessed joined Afghanistan Financial Services in 2009 as Financial Intern and was soon promoted to Financial Analyst, working with clients in accounting operations. Mr. Bessed assists clients to ensure all income and expense transactions are properly documented, entered into financial software and allocated to the correct accounts to ensure correct reporting each period Mr. Bessed is fluent in Dari and Urdu, intermediate in English and conversant in Pashtu.
Parwiz Sayedzada, Financial Analyst
Sayed Parwiz Sayedzada graduated from the Afghanistan National Institute of Management and Administration (NIMA) with an Advanced Diploma for Public Administration and Management (DBA), specializing in Accounting and Financial Management. NIMA's coursework is in full accordance with curricula that has been evaluated and endorsed by the University of Jyvaskyla Finland. Since 2009, Mr. Sayedzada has been working in the field of finance and accounting. His experience includes serving as the General Manager in Azizi Logistic and Contraction Company Limited and as Supervisor of Material and Funds at Jahan-e-Sabz Logistic Services Limited. Mr. Sayedzada taught English at Forogh Education Center as well as software applications of Microsoft Office and Intuit QuickBooks.
Mr. Sayedzada now serves as Financial Analyst at Afghanistan Financial Services, managing nearly all of the daily internal accounting activities of the firm. Mr. Sayedzada is fluent in Dari, Pashto and English, and also speaks some Urdu.
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