Pateel Papazian

Global Financial Trainer and Consultant

Asia/Beirut (UTC+2)

Arabic, English, French

Pateel Papazian

Global Financial Trainer and Consultant

Asia/Beirut (UTC+2)

Arabic, English, French

About

I am a multilingual US/Lebanese citizen with a strong fluency in English, Arabic, French and Armenian, and professional experience in both the USA and Lebanon. I have been delivering seminars in the financial training and services industry (live and remote) for many years on Management and Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis/ Modelling using excel, Financial Management, Auditing, Uniform Guidance, and CPA Exam Prep. I am proficient in the use of management learning systems to track learner progress and performance, Internationally experienced, I am sensitive to cultural and institutional impediments to knowledge sharing and teamwork, and work to overcome them. Over the course of 19+ years in public accounting (including 9 years in the USA), I have been a champion of maintaining and building key relations, teamwork and knowledge sharing with both commercial and not for profit companies. I led the ‘Train the Trainers' programs at KPMG Beirut; I have been involved in rendering consulting services on capacity assessment, on compliance with grant agreements and on business development services. Achievements include: ► Pioneered the implementation of the Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) US certification program in the Middle East ► Remote instructor for the Wiley CPA review course ► Represented the US Foundation Center Proposal Writing Boot Camp at the American University of Beirut Page ► Facilitated compliance with U.S. Federal Grant regulations for a private organization in Istanbul ► Designed and delivered a series of training courses for United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). I believe in making a difference in people’s lives. As a leader, I value transparency, openness and trust as the foundation for building a strong culture. I welcome connection requests. Please include a message about how our connection may be mutually beneficial. I look forward to hearing from you.

Key Skills

Experience

Training Representative | The Rainmaker Companies

Dec 2012 - Present

In 2012, I became a training representative in the Middle East for the Rainmaker Companies. I pioneered the US certificate program for nonprofits (CNAP) in the Middle East in 2012, marketing and delivering the program in collaboration with the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Qatar University(QU), among others. As of December 31, 2024, over 300 individuals were certified.

Freelance Trainer and Consultant | Pateel Papazian Training and Consulting

Sep 2012 - Present

Pateel Papazian Training and Consulting provides both live and online financial and job skills training to for-profit and not-for-profit companies, through preparation and delivery of seminars on Management and Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Management, Auditing ,Uniform Guidance, and CPA Exam Prep. Training Topics listed below are adaptable to all industries (including Oil and Gas): ✔ Financial Accounting* (IFRS, USGAAP, IPSAS) ✔ Management Accounting/Budgeting, Forecasting and Cost control* ✔ Financial Statement Analysis (includes modeling in excel)* ✔ Financial Management in the Sports Industry ✔ Financial Management Essentials for Non-Finance Professionals* ✔ Uniform Guidance (applicable to US Federal Grants to US and foreign organizations) Additionally, my consulting engagements entail financial management, capacity assessment, coaching and mentoring of staff and college students, compliance with donors' grant agreements (if applicable) and business development services. If you are interested in adding value to your organization through professional development, I can help.

Remote Trainer - CPA Exam Prep Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | Knowledge Group LLC

Jun 2020 - Dec 2020

Delivered the Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) section of the Uniform CPA Examination through the Wiley CPA excel Learning Platform.

Director of Financial Reporting and Compliance ► Complex Analysis |Financial Planning | Training | American University of Beirut

Oct 2010 - Sep 2012

As Director of Financial Reporting and Compliance, I supervised and trained AUB staff working on financial reporting matters and significantly improved the accuracy of the financial reports and the staff's technical knowledge. Notably I helped steer the implementation of a system upgrade to OracleR12, collaborating with Huron Consulting Group, the IT consultants, and AUBNY, ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating among various campus and medical center locations during software upgrade. I also conducted workshops for AUB and AUB Medical Center staff, and revised the policies and procedures on the AUB website post-implementation. This important software upgrade initiative resulted in the centralization and standardization of accounting processes and financial reporting.

Chief Financial Officer | ►Lebanese Association for Development (AL Majmoua)

May 2008 - Oct 2010

Al Majmoua is a Lebanese non-profit microfinance institution that focuses on supporting micro-entrepreneurs, particularly women, in developing sustainable businesses all over Lebanon. I moved to Al Majmoua in 2008, managing finance planning, developing the budget, ensuring donor requirement compliance as well as compliance of all financial transactions with the core accounting standards of the IFRS. While I was CFO, I successfully restructured Al Majmoua’s internal control policies and procedures, resulting in higher levels of fraud prevention. In terms of strategic financial leadership, I drafted the business plan in collaboration with an outside consultant, proposed frameworks for key financial alliances, and developed a fundraising pitch book with detailed financial data and projections for the Arab Microfinance investment symposium in Dubai in 2008, resulting in increased investor funding for the organization. Additionally, I was credited with generating savings on finance charges as a result of impactful bank loan term negotiations.

Director/Principal - Financial Audits| Key Account Relationships | Team Development | KPMG Lebanon

Jul 1998 - Apr 2008

KPMG Lebanon is an independent member firm of KPMG International, a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Over my tenure, my value was consistently recognized by partners at KPMG New York, KPMG Lebanon and colleagues alike. I was the first woman to progress to Director/Principal at KPMG Lebanon, and one of the few US CPAs in Lebanon at the time. As such, I was relied upon to supervise all staff getting their CPA licenses. Initially, I managed for-profit clients at KPMG, and then moved on to oversee the firm's non-profit portfolio. I conducted financial audits of commercial companies, universities, hospitals, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and funds granted by European agencies and the U.S. Federal government. I also represented KPMG, along with the managing partner, at Board of Trustees meetings for key clients. As Director, I facilitated growth of nonprofit clients by 30% through high levels of client satisfaction, referrals and successful meetings with prospective clients. An example is convincingly presenting to one of our clients, the American University of Beirut (AUB), why they should stay with KPMG rather than rotate to one of the other Big Four firms. In addition to leading financial and grant audits, I also was in charge of the Train the Trainer programs at KPMG. I organized and trained KPMG professionals on reporting in compliance with accounting and auditing standards and assisted the managing partner in HR matters such as employee hiring.