Ahmed A.

Experience

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  SUGARED + BRONZED

  Director of Finance And Accounting

  Jan 2023 - Present

  2024 Winner, Inc. Best Places to Work Looking for a job with great benefits, pay, training, and opportunity? We're opening new stores every month and hiring for Sugaristas and Spray Tanners!

  • Own end-to-end accounting, financial reporting, and chart of accounts for a 52-location, 600+ employee enterprise.
  • Lead enterprise AI adoption as program owner, deploying Claude to automate month-end close and recurring journal entries.
  • Run weekly staff training and one-on-one coaching to enable AI platform adoption across finance.
  • Selected and implemented Yardi lease accounting and Rippling HRIS/payroll across 52 locations in 10+ states.
  • Administer QuickBooks and BigQuery and manage AI toolset configuration, data integrity, and user enablement.
  • Cleared a multi-year audit backlog (FY2022–FY2025) and served as primary liaison with external auditors (BDO).
  • Led R&D and FICA tip credit analyses that generated more than $1.3M in combined tax savings.
  • Led ASC 842 adoption for 52 leases and oversee payroll accounting and multi-state compliance.
  • Built rolling cash forecasts, annual budgets, channel-level cash reconciliations, and capitalization schedules.
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  Aurora Cannabis Inc.

  Finance Consultant

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2023

  The story of Aurora Cannabis started back when medical cannabis could only be produced by designated growers or patients themselves specifically authorized by the Government of Canada. Since then, we’ve come a long way.

  • Led manufacturing accounting and Sage X3 ERP deployments for manufacturing and cultivation facilities.
  • Set up bills of materials (BOMs) and inventory systems while validating accounting data and end-to-end processes.
  • Validated accounting data and optimized finance workflows to improve operational reporting accuracy.
  • Completed a company-wide IT contract review that identified over $3M in savings through consolidation and license optimization.
  • Supported quarter-end close, resolved large unreconciled differences, and improved close controls.
  • Established SOX-compliant processes across finance and cross-functional teams.
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  High Tide Inc.

  Financial Reporting Manager

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

  High Tide is the leading community-grown, retail-forward cannabis enterprise purposefully structured to unleash the full value of the world's most powerful plant. From category-winning retail models and subscriptions to industry-celebrated consumption accessories, High Tide is the undisputed market wavemaker, continually delivering incredible impact for real-world results. Since 2009, High Tide has been elevating the Canadian cannabis market while expanding influence and operations throughout Europe, the United States, and beyond.

  • Helped lead the December 2018 public listing and prepared the company's first public audited annual financial statements.
  • Prepared the company’s first interim filings and Management's Discussion and Analysis for public reporting.
  • Led accounting and reporting with 8 direct reports across 7 domestic and international entities.
  • Delivered monthly reporting packages, quarterly financial statements, MD&A, and weekly cash projections to senior leadership.
  • Served as one of two Sage X3 administrators and strengthened processes and internal controls to support rapid post‑listing growth.
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  PwC

  Auditor

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  Building trust for today and tomorrow.

  • Led SEC ASC 606 revenue-recognition testing for a major public Oil & Gas client during adoption of the new standard.
  • Tested internal controls over financial reporting for public issuers across complex accounting areas.
  • Managed audit procedures covering consolidations, valuation, impairment, debt, and fixed assets.
  • Led a major North American real estate developer audit from planning through completion and findings reporting.
  • Coached team members, mentored associates, and led firm training sessions to develop staff capabilities.
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  City of Calgary

  Financial Reporting Analyst

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2015

  Official City of Calgary local government Twitter account. Keep up with City news, services, programs, events and more. Not monitored 24/7.

  • Prepared consolidated annual financial statements; the City’s Annual Report received the GFOA Award for Financial Reporting.
  • Supervised accounting and finance for five development projects within a $600M capital portfolio.
  • Identified $2M in errors and savings through project reviews and reconciliations.
  • Supported preparation and presentation of municipal financial statements and related disclosures.
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  Office of the Auditor General of Alberta

  Auditor

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  Who We Are We are an office of 150 people mandated by the Auditor General Act to examine and report publicly on the government of Alberta’s management of the public resources entrusted to it. The auditor general is the auditor of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Province of Alberta and most provincial agencies, boards, commissions and regulated funds. What We Do We do audits so we can report on how well government is managing its responsibilities and the province’s resources. Where necessary, we make recommendations for improvement. Our financial statement audits provide independent opinions on whether each organization’s financial statements are presented fairly and are free of material errors, misstatements or omissions. Each June we issue an auditor’s report on the province’s consolidated financial statements, encompassing all 150 government entities. Our performance audits assess the quality of the systems designed to deliver efficient and cost-effective provincial programs and services. Our role includes providing an objective and independent view on whether government is reporting on the results achieved using Alberta’s resources. We look at the work of government through the lens of Albertans, and apply our professional expertise to provide conclusions on whether systems are working well and achieving the desired results. Where we find systems and processes are not working as well as they could, we provide recommendations for improvement. These improvements aim to help the government succeed in delivering what it has set out to do for the people of Alberta. Who We Serve We report directly to the 87 Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly, and through them we serve the 4.6 million people who call Alberta home. Follow us on Twitter: @AuditorGenAB

  • Performed financial statement and performance audits of provincial entities to assess stewardship of public resources.
  • Evaluated systems and internal controls and issued actionable recommendations for improvement.
  • Prepared public reports and presented findings to the Legislative Assembly to promote accountability and transparency.
  • Applied Canadian auditing standards and data-analytic techniques to enhance audit evidence and coverage.
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  PwC

  Auditor

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2012

  • Led audit teams of up to four across Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Logistics, Construction, Retail, and Natural Resources.
  • Performed audits under IFRS, ASPE, and US GAAP for diversified client portfolios.
  • Managed complex audit areas including consolidations, fixed assets, and inventory.
  • Provided on-the-job coaching and supervision to junior staff and supported engagement completion.