About me

Khaled (Kal) Hawari - Portrait Shot

What defines me

Khaled (Kal) Hawari, based out in Ottawa Canada, is an exceptional finance and accounting professional who brings a wealth of skills and experiences to the table. With fluency in English, French, and Arabic, Kal possesses remarkable relationship-building abilities, enabling him to connect and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. His proficiency in accounting standards such as IFRS 15 and IFRS 16, coupled with his expertise in financial analysis, advanced auditing, and subscription billing, makes Kal a standout candidate for any organization seeking excellence in complex financial environments.

 

Kal's proficiency extends to a wide range of software, including CaseWare, ProFile, QuickBooks, Sage, Adagio, SAP, Ceridian, Visual Basic, Power BI, Microsoft GP, and BPC. This comprehensive skill set enables him to navigate different systems seamlessly, ensuring streamlined operations and optimized results. With his ability to multitask efficiently and thrive under pressure, Kal's exceptional prioritization skills are a testament to his commitment to delivering outstanding performance.

Possessing comprehensive knowledge in personal and corporate taxation, payroll, bookkeeping, sales tax, and financial reporting, Kal has the expertise required to manage crucial financial processes such as month-end and quarter-end close processes, inventory reconciliation, and revenue stream forecasting. His ability to identify areas for improvement and process standardization within finance ensures optimal efficiency while maintaining strong relationships with business units. Kal's dedication to providing excellent customer service and exceeding expectations is at the core of his professional approach.

 

During his tenure as a Financial Analyst at Harris Computer Systems from July 2021 to April 2023, Kal achieved remarkable milestones. He successfully managed the eScholar and MealTime acquisitions, emphasizing compliance with IFRS 15 and IFRS 16. Kal's collaboration with finance teams and business units across Canada and the US resulted in meeting reporting deadlines and driving financial results through his accurate forecasting models. His proficiency in tracking and analyzing diverse revenue streams, including deferred maintenance, hardware, software, and professional services, played a pivotal role in the company's success. Moreover, Kal's exceptional management of month-end and quarter-end close processes, preparation of journal entries, and conducting balance sheet reconciliations earned him recognition from senior management. His dedication was evident through his meticulous preparation and review of invoicing requests, ensuring timely project completion by following up on unbilled milestones. Kal's commitment to enhancing financial stability led to significant improvements in the AFDA process, reducing liability by over $700,000. His streamlining of subscription billing and inventory reconciliation processes for newly acquired businesses further showcased his ability to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Kal's exceptional analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, combined with his ability to thrive under tight deadlines, made him an invaluable asset in handling special projects and ad hoc reporting.

 

As a Bilingual Staff Accountant at Boyer & Boyer CPA from January 2021 to April 2021, Kal excelled in tax preparation and auditing. His commitment to providing comprehensive client support extended beyond traditional tax services. Kal actively assisted clients in applying for government programs and benefits, effectively communicating with the CRA to resolve issues related to RRSP overcontributions. His innovative approach to streamlining tax preparation through the development of internal Excel templates demonstrated his commitment to efficiency. Additionally, Kal made valuable contributions to the development of audit engagements and successfully managed various responsibilities, including working with large payroll files and projects, bookkeeping, and providing client advisory services. His extensive research and information retrieval skills further added value to his role, and his administrative duties were executed with precision and attention to detail.

 

During his contract as a Bilingual Staff Accountant at Andrews & Co Chartered Professional Accountants from November 2020 to January 2021, Kal displayed expertise in full-cycle accounting, including payroll preparation, accounts payable and receivables, and GST/HST and sales tax reconciliation. His proficiency in bank reconciliation, identifying capital asset purchases, and training clients in bookkeeping and accounting highlighted his commitment to delivering comprehensive client support. Kal's attention to detail was evident in his precise preparation of various forms and his efficient execution of light administrative duties. Kal's role as a Staff Accountant, specializing in Audit/Tax, at WGP Professional Corporation CPA from March 2020 to August 2020 allowed him to gain valuable experience in preparing tax returns for individuals, corporations, estates, trusts, and not-for-profit organizations. His expertise in audits, reviews, and compilations for non-profit organization clients, particularly Carleton Condominium Corporations, further demonstrated his commitment to accurate and reliable financial reporting. Kal consistently provided constructive solutions that maximized client profitability and instilled confidence in financial statements.

 

Operating as a self-employed Tax, Payroll, and Bookkeeping Consultant under Kanata North Accounting from February 2015 to August 2020, Kal showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional managerial abilities. Managing a team of over ten employees, he oversaw all aspects of payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Kal's research and analysis skills were instrumental in resolving complex tax planning matters, including international tax agreements. He provided valuable support and training to new employees and adeptly managed workloads to ensure high-quality project completion within tight budgets and daily deadlines. During his tenure as a Tax Accountant at Eagle Tax Service from January 2019 to August 2019, Kal demonstrated his proficiency in account analysis, bank reconciliation, and generating reports detailing trends and forecasts. His ability to create and maintain cash flow analysis, balance sheets, and income statements, coupled with his commitment to sound judgment while reviewing sensitive financial information, showcased his dedication to exceeding client expectations. Kal actively supported management in meetings with clients, providing accounting insight and technical knowledge. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the preparation of complete T2 returns, GST returns, and provided valuable assistance during advisory services.

Kal's educational background includes an Honors Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Accounting, from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. His exceptional academic achievements, including a remarkable CGPA of 8.52, recognition on the Dean's Honor List, and a certificate of achievement for outstanding performance in the Strategic Management Course sponsored by CPA Ontario, underscore his commitment to excellence. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Accounting, from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. Furthermore, Kal obtained a Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française, certifying his proficiency in written and oral French, from the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale et de la Jeunesse.

 

Kal's commitment to professional development is evident through his active participation in the Post-Secondary Ambassador Program (PSAP) offered by CPA Ontario since November 2020. His continuous pursuit of learning and growth within the accounting profession demonstrates his dedication to staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining a competitive edge.

In summary, Khaled (Kal) Hawari is an accomplished finance and accounting professional with a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. His diverse skill set, proficiency in accounting standards, and expertise in financial analysis and auditing position him as an invaluable asset to any organization. Kal's fluency in multiple languages, strong relationship-building skills, and dedication to exceeding client expectations further enhance his value as a finance professional. His entrepreneurial spirit, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to excel in fast-paced environments make him an ideal candidate for organizations seeking a highly motivated and results-driven finance professional.

 

Resume/CV (Click to Dowload)

Khaled (Kal) Hawari Resume

A word from a client and my professors!

"I am writing you this recommendation letter for Kal Hawari to be the next
accountant/bookkeeper you hire for your personal and/or corporate income tax needs. Kal
worked as our accountant this year and his services helped us to become financially efficient.
Kal is very knowledgeable with everything relating to income taxes and also offered some
meaningful business advice. He always answered our questions thoroughly and efficiently.
We plan on working with Kal in the future as he was a pleasure to work with and proved to
be an excellent accountant."

"Kal (Khaled) Hawari, a remarkable student mentored by a seasoned accounting lecturer at the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Business, stands out as an aspiring CPA. With an exceptional commitment to learning, Kal's profound grasp of auditing extended beyond coursework, encompassing in-depth research on prominent accounting and audit cases, and exploring forensic accounting. Among the thousands of students taught over 15 years, Kal ranks in the top 1% for dedication, perseverance, and commitment. Primed to make a positive impact on the CPA profession, Kal's future promises an extraordinary career. For further inquiries, please reach out for firsthand testimony on Kal's outstanding potential."