Novella Africa Limited - Our client, a CBN-licensed Microfinance bank, is recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Financial Controller
Location: Victoria Island, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary
- The Financial Controller will provide strategic financial leadership and oversee all financial, regulatory, risk management, and compliance functions of the microfinance bank.
- The FC will ensure CBN regulatory compliance, drives digital banking financial operations, manages enterprise-wide risks, optimize capital structure, and delivers accurate financial reporting to support informed decision-making and sustainable business growth.
Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Planning & Leadership:
- Partner with CEO and Board to formulate and execute the bank's financial strategy and digital transformation initiatives
- Develop and implement financial strategies, business plans, and financial models aligned with microfinance industry dynamics
- Lead capital planning, budgeting processes, and financial forecasting
- Drive innStrategic Financial Planning & Leadership
- Partner with CEO and Board to formulate and execute the bank's financial strategy and digital transformation initiatives
- Develop and implement financial strategies, business plans, and financial models aligned with microfinance industry dynamics
- Lead capital planning, budgeting processes, and financial forecasting
- Drive innovation in digital financial services while maintaining prudent financial management.
Regulatory Compliance & CBN Reporting:
- Ensure full compliance with all CBN regulations, circulars, and prudential guidelines for microfinance banks
- Oversee timely submission of all regulatory returns (monthly, quarterly, annual prudential returns, FINSCOPE, NDIC, EFCC, FRC filings)
- Maintain active liaison with CBN examiners, NDIC, and other regulatory bodies
- Lead preparation for CBN examinations and regulatory audits
- Monitor and implement regulatory updates affecting microfinance operations.
Financial Management & Operations:
- Direct accounting, treasury, financial planning & analysis, taxation, and financial reporting functions
- Oversee preparation of IFRS-compliant audited financial statements
- Manage liquidity position, ensuring compliance with CBN liquidity ratios and capital adequacy requirements
- Monitor loan portfolio quality, provisioning, and NPL management
- Optimize cost-to-income ratio and operational efficiency
- Oversee funds transfer pricing and profitability analysis across products and channels.
Financial Risk Management:
- Develop and implement financial risk management frameworks
- Monitor credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk from a financial perspective
- Participate in Management Committee meetings and ALCO
- Ensure robust financial controls and fraud prevention mechanisms
- Monitor exposure limits and concentration risks.
Digital Banking Financial Oversight:
- Collaborate with technology leadership on digital infrastructure investments and ROI analysis
- Oversee financial controls embedded in digital platforms and payment systems
- Monitor transaction processing costs and digital channel economics
- Drive automation of financial processes and reporting systems
- Evaluate fintech partnerships from financial viability and cost-benefit perspectives.
Treasury & Funding Management:
- Manage funding strategy including deposits mobilization, borrowings, and capital raises
- Oversee treasury operations and investment of surplus funds in CBN-approved instruments
- Manage relationships with DFIs, impact investors, and funding partners
- Ensure compliance with CBN single obligor limits and exposure limits
- Manage statutory reserve requirements with CBN.
Governance & Board Relations:
- Present financial reports and strategic recommendations to Board of Directors
- Serve on Audit, Risk Management, and Finance & Investment Committees
- Coordinate internal and external audit activities and ensure timely resolution of audit findings
- Drive corporate governance best practices across finance function
- Maintain relationships with external auditors.
Tax Planning & Compliance:
- Develop tax-efficient strategies within Nigerian tax laws
- Ensure timely filing and payment of all taxes (CIT, VAT, WHT, PAYE)
- Manage relationships with FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services
- Optimize tax position while ensuring full compliance.
Finance Team Leadership:
- Build, develop and mentor high-performing finance team
- Drive succession planning and capacity building within finance function
- Foster culture of accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement
- Implement training programs to enhance technical and analytical capabilities.
Stakeholder Management:
- Represent the bank to investors, rating agencies, and investment community
- Maintain relationships with commercial banks, DFIs, and funding partners
- Participate in industry associations and microfinance forums
- Manage investor relations and fundraising activities.
Requirements
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Banking & Finance, or related field from a recognized university
- Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA - Finance), Accounting, or Finance (highly preferred)
- Active membership/fellowship of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) - ACA/FCA, OR Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - ACCA/FCCA.
Work Experience:
- 12-15 years of progressive financial management experience
- At least 5-7 years in senior financial leadership roles (FC, CFO, Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, or equivalent)
- Proven experience in Nigerian banking, microfinance, or financial services sector
- Experience managing CBN regulatory compliance and examinations
- Experience with digital banking or fintech operations (advantageous)
- Track record in financial inclusion initiatives or development finance (preferred).
Highly Desirable:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certification in Risk Management (FRM, CIPM)
- Certification in Corporate Governance
- Member of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
- Certification in AML/CFT compliance.
Skills and Competencies
Technical Skills:
- Expert knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Nigerian GAAP
- Deep understanding of CBN prudential guidelines and regulations for microfinance banks
- Advanced financial modelling, analysis, and forecasting capabilities
- Proficiency in risk management frameworks (Basel, COSO, ISO 31000)
- Strong knowledge of core banking systems and digital banking platforms
- Expertise in treasury management and Asset-Liability Management (ALM)
- Comprehensive understanding of Nigerian tax laws and regulations
- Knowledge of audit methodologies and internal control frameworks
- Proficiency in financial management software and ERP systems
- Understanding of microfinance operations and development finance principles.
Soft Skills:
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Strong leadership and people management capabilities
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship building
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills
- High emotional intelligence and executive presence
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
- Decision-making under pressure and in ambiguous situations
- Change management and digital transformation leadership
- Integrity, ethics, and professional conduct
- Collaboration and cross-functional team leadership
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
- Crisis management capabilities
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Adaptability and resilience.