Hassan A. Khatib’s journey from Lebanon to becoming the Associate Director of KPMG Saudi is a story filled with passion, hardships, perseverance, and willingness to succeed. An experienced Finance professional, Hassan has garnered more than 13 years of experience in a variety of business disciplines such as Audit, Corporate Finance, and Financial Due Diligence.
As a specialist in Financial Due Diligence, Hassan’s expertise lies in conducting comprehensive financial investigations to better understand the company’s financial health, uncover potential risks and opportunities, enabling informed decision-making.
Education And Early Life
Hassan A. Khatib, born in 1989, hails from Lebanon, where he spent his childhood years in a middle-class family. His father, a hardworking and dedicated provider, worked tirelessly to ensure a comfortable upbringing for Hassan and his three siblings.
Hassan A. Khatib shares, “I received my schooling education in Saint Elie des Peres Carmes school in Tripoli and graduated from high school in 2008. Eventually, I joined the prestigious American University of Beirut in 2008 to study Economics. In addition to my main major, I have also completed concentrated studies in Translation and American Studies. Attending the American University of Beirut was a dream come true, offering a bridge between Lebanon and the world. Graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, I started an internship with KPMG Lebanon before becoming a junior auditor with KPMG Beirut for two years. This experience sparked a desire for more in the financial industry.
In 2012, a consulting position opened in the Transaction Services department at KPMG KSA (Riyadh). Back then, I did not know much about consulting or due diligence, but I thought it was more interesting than audit. I joined KPMG Riyadh back on 29 December 2012 and have been there since then. Today I am an Associate Director in KPMG Riyadh and thriving through the journey.”
Hassan A. Khatib adds, “My journey with KPMG Saudi cannot be described briefly. It has been a story of passion, hardships, perseverance, and willingness to succeed. When I came here, I was young, with no significant professional or even personal experience. Living in a foreign country which was significantly different back in 2012 and dealing with foreign nationalities were all new challenges and experiences for me.
I remember the sleepless nights, the endless hard work, the endless translation hours when files used to be provided in Arabic and other team members needed help to have a better understanding of the information. Hundreds of clients, hundreds of deliverables, tough leaders who pushed hard at some point, but it is a journey that I cherish as It made me the guy I am today.”
KPMG And Its Presence
KPMG is a multinational firm present all over the world. “More specifically, its presence in Saudi has witnessed a huge growth and transformation. KPMG KSA has grown to become one of the largest professional service providers in the Kingdom reaching a workforce of 2,500 across Saudi offices.” Hassan adds.
On Being An Efficient Leader
Being an efficient leader can be quite a daunting task. But being one can take the business to new heights. Hassan A. Khatib reflects, “If we want to put it in simple words, a leader is someone who pushes staff to be better people.
We should say that a leader is someone who can handle teams, carry responsibilities, and deliver good quality products according to specific standards and preset deadlines, this is obvious. Nowadays, in this industry, the number of leaders has grown and we have a lot of partners and high-caliber leaders. However, I want to say that a great leader combines great skills and humility.
Anyone can have skills, a strong personality, and extensive business connections. Humility in leadership allows them to see beyond their ego, to tap into the collective wisdom of their team, and to make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization as a whole. humility also makes leaders more approachable and likable, which can help to build trust and buy-in from those they lead.”
Adapting To the Digital Revolution
Well-designed technology enables a company to bring products and services to market faster than the competition.
Hassan A. Khatib replies, “KPMG has successfully aligned investment in technology with its strategic ambitions and was able to uphold momentum. KPMG has noted that technology takes the lead, as it is essential to the customer experience and determines how well the business operates and performs. Hence, machine learning and cloud make your operations more responsive to customer needs and expectations.”
Words Of Wisdom For Beginners, We asked: Hassan A. Khatib
As a renowned expert in the field, Hassan A. Khatib insights are invaluable to those just starting. With his impressive track record of success, beginners can greatly benefit from his guidance and expertise. So, Hassan A. Khatib shares, “To focus and work hard in a way that will differentiate him. To do the extra milestone which will make him stand out amongst the group. And also, to try to know from the very beginning the field or direction in which he is interested to work in.
Although shifting between department and work streams can expose the individual to various sets of knowledge, focusing on one field of expertise and building a deep knowledge in it is important for any person who would like to be a subject matter expert in his position.”
Follow Hassan A. Khatib on LinkedIn.
Find KPMG Saudi on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.kpmg.com.sa/
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