Mathieu Al Kharfan

Finance Manager
GE Energy - Sondex Wireline Ltd (Blackbushe, Hampshire - UK)

Sondex Wireline division is a well establish market leader in Wireline tools & equipment for Oil & Gas production companies (Production Logging, Casing Inspection, Cement Evaluation, Downhole Tractor).
The business has been acquired in Oct'07 by GE & I work actively on the integration of the entity within GE ($75MM Orders, $70MM Revenues).

Sector: Petroleum - Exploration - Production - Refining

Best FMP of my class (12 people, based on managers’ appraisals and program’s exams).


4th rotation (Feb-08 to Jul-08):
Corporate Taxes (Corporate HQ - Fairfield,CT)

Corporate Taxes ensure GE's compliance with tax regulations for GE affiliates globally. The team drive Corporate program& initiatives to maximize GE'stax efficiency & savings. I was supporting the Transfer Pricing initiatives (Trademark & Royalty program, Intra-company loans, Tracking Stock)



3rd rotation (Aug-07 to Jan-08):
Financial Planning & Analysis / Integration (Oil & Gas – Vetco Gray - Aberdeen)

Vetco Gray is a new acquisition for GE (Q1-07). The business provides products and services to the global upstream oil and gas industry (subsee trees, manifold, wellhead, etc.) I am supporting the Eastern Region (Europe & West Africa - $1.2B Orders, $1B Revenues)



2nd rotation (Feb-07 to Jul-07):
Controllership (Energy Services HQ – Contractual Services - Milan)

The Contractal Services business provides long-term contracts for site maintenance and operation to Energy suppliers (EDF, Exxon, Enel, etc.). Complex business based on Deferred Income accounting. I was supporting the Controller for Europe & AIM regions ($600M Revenues, $200M Net Income). I was in charge of Local Working Funds (cash in higher risk countries like Nigeria, Ghana, etc.), monthly VAT returns, BS reconciliations, Base Cost Analysis, FAS133 accounting and FX Management. I have also been involved in different teams in order to complete various projects simplifying and improving the processes in place.

Skills gained: Controllership overview, account reconciliation, FAS133 regulations, Deferred Income accounting, FX Management, Statutory Reporting, and expertise of many Financial software



1st Rotation (Aug-06 to Jan-07):
Financial Planning & Analysis (Energy Services – Optimisation & Control - London)

Optimisation & Control provides HW/SW & Services to Energy suppliers (Exxon, Saudi Aramco, KNPC, Iberdrola, etc.) so that they can control and optimise any critical asset. I was supporting the Finance Manager for Europe & AIM regions ($300M Revenues, $150M Net Income). I was in charge of Estimates & Analysis of the financials (Orders, Sales, Backlog, etc.), Base Costs Analysis, Cashflow analysis (Receivables) and Convertibility Tracker for AIM (Tracking all orders, sales and deliveries. This gave Management visibility of weekly variances and a tool to focus on the main opportunities to reach our targets). I have also been involved in various projects to understand what are the pitfalls in our processes and I provided solutions to solve these issues.

Skills gained: Financial planning & analysis, working with different functions in a complex business, providing accurate financials, improving processes, communication with different functions and cultures

Sector: Finance

Financial Analyst and Assistant Underwriter (4 months) – Analysis of financial risk expositions confronting corporations for the Directors & Officers Liabilities Insurance cover (ongoing business as well as IPO, M&A and LBO).

Skills gained: Financial analysis, due diligence, risk management, legal and regulatory issues understanding, management reporting, work organisation, working in a team with people complementary skilled, IPS

Sector: Insurance

Consultant in Strategy (4 months) – Development of the marketing and communication strategy of a financial firm.

Skills gained: Strategy analysis and development of marketing plan, different financing possibilities for SMEs

Sector: Financial Services

Consultant and Analyst on the following subject: Environmentally Friendly Solar House (7 months).

Responsible for design, feasibility, costs and payback period of the project.

Skills gained: Analytical and research skills, accuracy, problem solving, budgeting and cost control

Sector: Water - Electricity - Gas

Floor manager after starting as waiter (12 months) – Responsible for 8 staff and a turnover of 500,000 €

Skills gained: Managing and training staff, resource and customer management, reactivity

Sector: Hotel and restaurants

President of the association for one year. 800 members and a budget of 250,000 €

Skills gained: Managing a team / committee, learning fast, commitment to the organisation, security of events, taking responsibilities and showing initiative, creating and developing new projects

Sector: Universities and higher education institutions