Afzal Parkar
Qualification
Chartered Accountant
Professional experience prior to joining Aria
Core experience in statutory audit, having progressed from Audit Assistant to Audit Manager. Sector exposure includes manufacturing and the not-for-profit domain, particularly trusts and societies.
Areas of Expertise
Compliance, financial planning, audit, and with a focus on process improvement, systems strengthening, people coordination, and effective stakeholder management.
What are your primary focus areas or responsibilities at Aria?
Review of legal contracts; overseeing payments and accounting; preparation of financial positions, financial statements, and financial analysis; monitoring statutory and regulatory compliance; and providing financial and strategic advisory on client queries, including developing financial dashboards and presenting financial insights to Boards.
What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
The appreciation, trust, and recognition I receive from peers and clients energizes me the most. Working closely with not-for-profit organisations also gives me a strong sense of purpose, as it allows me to contribute to meaningful social impact and help strengthen initiatives that benefit society.
What draws you to the social / development sector?
It’s satisfying to know that the financial and compliance work I do supports organisations that are genuinely trying to make people’s lives better — it feels like using my skills for something that actually matters.
Because it feels good to know my spreadsheets are doing some real-world good, not just sitting in a profit column!
One thing you enjoy outside of work
Mountains for peace, football for adrenaline!
