CEO and Managing Partner | UHY James Chartered Accountants
UHY James Chartered Accountants, led by James Mathew has built its credibility in the audit, advisory and consulting space in the UAE for decades.
An independent member firm of UK headquartered UHY International, UHY James in the UAE successfully delivers global expertise with solid local insights that help businesses in the region match pace with the dynamic environment.
An ace entrepreneur, with an acute sense of business acumen and foresight, James brings to the table his profound understanding of the intricacies of the market, further strengthened by his collaborative leadership style.
Building a Practice; Driven by Purpose
Born in a middle-class family in a small town in the picturesque state of Kerala, the formative years of James’ life were simple, focused, and spiritual.
It was at the reputed Sainik School in Trivandrum where James Mathew excelled as an athlete and honed sportsmanship skills that would hold him in good stead in the future. With a clear focus on athletics and academics, James enrolled at St. Joseph’s Devagiri College to pursue B.Sc in Mathematics.
It was i n college that he discovered his penchant for numbers as he topped every mathematics paper he answered. Gauging his numerical abilities his professor guided James towards exploring the profession of chartered accountancy.
Against all odds, James eventually qualified as a chartered accountant in 1992 and embarked on a journey to the Middle East to build his professional career.
The initial years of his life as an expat in Dubai began with working as a Senior Auditor for Mahendra Asher & Co. till 1996.
During his five-year stint at Mahendra Asher & Co. James discovered his passion for networking and the inherent desire to explore the field of Auditing and Accounting extensively.
By 1997 James had gained insight into the UAE business landscape and tapped into his entrepreneurial potential to take up the role of Senior Partner with the UAE member firm of Crowe – a top 10 accounting network.
In his almost 25-year long association with Crowe, James’ career graph saw stupendous rise and an impressive learning curve. Through persistence and a forward-looking approach, he went on to become the Group CEO for UAE and Oman operations in 2017.
In 2018, James added yet another feather to his cap when he cemented his position as the first partner from the MENA region to be elected twice to the Global Board of the 8th largest audit/ accounting network in the world.
After scaling new heights within the international auditing profession for 25+ years, James, along with his team of five partners and 85+ professionals embarked on a new journey, when he joined forces with UHY International to become an independent member firm in the UAE.
James is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) from Colorado, USA.
Leaving a Mark on the UAE Business Community
With unflinching faith and an uncompromising work ethic, James Mathew has successfully weaved his financial expertise with his robust professional and technical knowledge to support the UAE’s diverse business community as they navigate the ebbs and flows of the economic environment.
It would be safe to say that James’ professional journey has grown parallel to the success story scripted by the UAE – since the early 90s.
Keeping empathy at the forefront of all his endeavours, James embraced a larger than-life vision, dedicated himself to hard work and a strong sense of purpose, which combined with his pragmatic approach sets the stage for a stellar success story.
Achievements
Renowned for his vast knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of running an enterprise, James is highly proficient in economic affairs and international matters. He has a high standing in the business circles for wielding 30 years of professional experience in the Middle Eastern region.
James has held prominent positions in various organisations and earned several awards:
♦ Elected twice to the Board of Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai in 2015 and 2017 and served as Secretary General for the term from 2015 – 2017.
♦ In two decades of being associated with the Dubai Chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), James worked for eight years in various leadership roles. During his tenure as the 31st Chairman, the Dubai Chapter was deemed the Best Overseas Chapter in 2013.
♦ As a seasoned professional, James wields significant insight into the financial dimension of various businesses in the UAE and sits on the boards of multinational companies.
♦ As part of a collective effort in navigating the post pandemic landscape, James was nominated as the Board Member of the first UAE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) in the UAE, in conjunction with UNDRR Arab States.
♦ An entrepreneur par excellence, James wields profound expertise in navigating the realm of audit. Being one of the first professionals from the MENA region to be elected twice to the Global Board of the 8th largest audit network in 2018 – 2019, reiterates his profound professional insight and prowess into the financial architecture of a business.
♦ Appointed as one of the Founder Directors of the lndo Gulf and Middle East Chamber of Commerce (INMECC).
♦ Appointed to the Board of Assessors of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award for five years, based on expertise in the UAE’s business landscape.