AI Magazine Issue 12 2018

48 Acquisition International - Issue 12 2018 Since its inauguration, Sarkis Sakr & Partners has been considered one of the fastest growing accounting practices in Lebanon. It’s not surprising then that it has recently been voted Leading Taxation and Assurance Consultancy of the Year, Lebanon in the prestigious Leading Adviser Awards 2018. ith a fantastic reputation from consistently offering timely and insightful advice, Sarkis Sakr & Partners of Lebanon has quickly distinguished itself as a market leader among accounting offices. Its expertise allows the firm to offer high quality and innovative audit, tax and advisory services, whilst never forgetting the importance of personal attention to its clients’ needs. Sarkis Sakr is the founder of SSP-GGI. Graduating from Lebanese University in Beirut in 1973, with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance concentration), Sarkis became a lecturer at the Lebanese University (faculty of Economics and Business Administration) from 1978 till 2008. Sarkis then worked in the Income Tax Department in the Ministry of Finance for 35 years, including eight years as the Head of Income Tax Department and two years as the Head of the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO). He was heavily involved in drafting several income tax laws and their implementation guides. Sarkis was a member of the Higher Council of Accounting in Lebanon from 1998 to 2008, and the President of the Lebanese Tax Society for a term from April 2013 to April 2017. With a wide and unparalleled experience in tax, accounting and financial consulting, Sarkis is widely regarded as the best tax consultant in Lebanon. He currently serves as a tax and financial consultant to a number of multinational and local banks and companies. As the former President of the Arab Tax Society, a member in the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants, and a member in the Arab Organization for Certified Public Accountants, It is fair to say that his reputation precedes him. Eddy is the Managing Partner of SSP – GGI and serves as leader of the firm’s assurance, taxation and consultancy services. Graduating with distinction from Notre Dame University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting degree, Eddy then worked for PwC Beirut for five years where he was distinguished by his outstanding performance and saw himself quickly elevated to a position of management. Following this, he spent four years in PwC London as an experienced audit manager in leading internal and external audit engagements in the Banking and Capital Markets. During his career, Eddy has worked with clients ranging from small local organisations and private companies to large multi- national corporations. As as a core team member of PwC Lloyds Banking Group team (formerly Lloyds TSB Group) previously, Contact: Eddy Sakr Company: Sarkis Sakr & Partners Address: UCA Building Sami El Solh Avenue Badaro, Beirut, LEBANON Telephone: 00961 (1) 383 191 Web Address: www.sarkissakr.com A Family Affair W 1807AI60 Eddy has led several one-off assignments including financial due diligence, valuation, advice on securitization and structured finance transaction, treasury and hedging, accounting for complex structured products, Sarbanes-Oxley implementation and HBOS Group acquisition. During his tenure with the firm, Eddy has worked in all areas of accounting and auditing, taxation, management consulting and quality control. In addition to his duties as Managing Partner, he oversees the Assurance Services department at Sarkis Sakr and Partners where he provides high quality audit, compliance and assessment services to privately held companies, governmental and non-profit organisations, manufacturing, banks and financial institutions. Eddy assists clients in all aspects of starting up a new business and growing existing businesses. Areas of expertise include choosing the form of business entity, assistance with obtaining bank financing, initial set-up of new entities, analysis of and upgrades to an existing entity’s accounting and tax system, analysis and implementation of internal accounting controls and tax compliance and planning. He is a US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy (2002), a US Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) (2005), Lebanese Certified Public Accountant (2003) and Court Sworn Auditor in aspects of the Lebanese Code of Commerce and Tax Law (2004). Joe Sakr is also partner with SSP – GGI. He is the firm’s social security and labour law expert and has wide contracts with the National Social Security Fund. Following his graduation from Notre Dame University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting, Joe went on to attain an MBA degree in Finance and Economics before joining the family firm. Prior to this, Joe started his career at one of the Big four Audit Companies worldwide, Deloitte et Touche, Beirut office where he had a proven track record and considerable experience in leading several audit engagements spanning financial services, shipping, hospitality, investments, manufacturing, governmental and non-for-profit, banking, investment banking and financial institutions. During his six years of practice in Deloitte Joe led audit teams and acted as the main client contact on several audit assignments. Moreover, Joe executed audit testing to verify compliance of financial statements with International Financial Reporting Standards together with applicable Lebanese business laws, taxation and social security requirements.