leadership
Our Partners
Meet the experienced professionals leading MHPA's commitment to excellence.
Executive Overview
As the Managing Partner of MHPA LLP and a pioneering figure in the Maldivian financial sector, Rifaath Jaleel brings three decades of distinguished experience spanning both public and private domains.
A visionary leader and qualified valuer, Rifaath has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s accounting landscape, combining technical mastery in audit and forensic accounting with a deep-seated commitment to national regulatory development.
Professional Foundation
Rifaath holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Charles Sturt University, Australia. He is a full member of CPA Australia, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Maldives, and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (UK).
As a Licensed Auditor and prominent member of CA Maldives, he has played a critical role in formalizing the industry, notably serving on the council and contributing to the drafting of the national Valuation Regulations—a milestone that established standardized financial reporting and valuation frameworks in the Maldives.
Key Leadership & Strategic Roles
Rifaath’s career is defined by his influence on corporate governance and capital market evolution:
Investment Banking:
As co-founder and Chairman of First National Finance Corporation, he drives strategic initiatives in investment banking, fund management, and capital market development.
Institutional Governance:
He has served as the Chairman of the Maldives Finance Leasing Company (MFLC) and was a pivotal member of the Government’s Tax Reform Commission.
Industry Leadership:
A Past President of the Certified Practicing Accountants of Maldives, Rifaath continues to foster the next generation of professionals through his seat on the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Maldives National University’s Business School.
Expertise & Vision
With a portfolio that includes advising over 150 private sector businesses and numerous State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Rifaath specializes in high-level financial feasibility studies for the tourism and fisheries sectors, foreign investment advisory, and capital market strategy.
Under his leadership, MHPA LLP operates at the intersection of technical integrity, local insight and dual focus on technical integrity to transform complex financial challenges into actionable strategies. Whether navigating intricate valuations or multi-million dollar resort projects, his clients benefit from a unique blend of global excellence and specialized local expertise.
Mr. Saffan Ahmed is a Partner at the firm, bringing over two decades of specialized experience in auditing, finance management, and quality assurance. As a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK), he represents the highest level of professional achievement within the global accounting body.
Professional Background
With a career spanning since 2001, Mr. Saffan has held pivotal roles across diverse financial sectors:
Audit & Quality Assurance:
Currently serves as a Quality Reviewer and Training Consultant at MHPA LLP, following a tenure as Director of Audit and Other Assurance Engagements.
Corporate Finance:
Previously served as Manager of Finance for the Samann Group of Companies.
Banking & Internal Audit:
Gained significant institutional experience as a Junior Officer in Internal Audit at the Bank of Maldives Plc.
Taxation:
He is a MIRA Licensed Tax Agent, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the Maldivian tax landscape.
Notable Projects & Expertise
Mr. Saffan has served as the Engagement Quality Reviewer for numerous high-profile Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and IFRS/SME audits, ensuring the highest standards of compliance and accuracy:
Public Interest Entities:
Lead quality reviews for major state-linked organizations including Maldives Post Limited (2021-2022), Aasandha Company Limited (2021-2022), and Tradenet Maldives Corporation Limited (2021).
Financial Institutions:
Managed quality reviews for the Bank of Maldives Custodial Accounts for three consecutive years (2021-2023).
Regulatory & Hospitality:
Overseen audits for the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA), the Cricket Board of Maldives, and luxury resort holdings such as W Maldives and Sheraton.
Mr. Saffan's dual expertise in rigorous quality control and practical financial management makes him a vital asset to our partnership, ensuring our clients receive world-class assurance and advisory services.
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