Chief Finance Officer (Abuja) at First Excelsia

Annual Net Remuneration: N16.8M

Our client is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented Finance Director to join its leadership team and play a key role in driving its financial success.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the media, marketing, or advertising industries and understands the financial complexities of agency operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute financial strategies in alignment with business goals.
• Lead scenario planning, forecasting, and investment decisions that drive profitability and growth.
• Collaborate with business development and client servicing teams to ensure project pricing is commercially sound and sustainable.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and variance analysis across departments.
• Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and board reports.
• Ensure strong internal controls, cost management systems, and financial discipline across the agency.
• Monitor and improve cash flow, working capital, and liquidity position.
• Partner with account teams to review client budgets, scopes, and profitability metrics.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition across various agency work cycles (retainers, project-based, media buying, etc.).
• Lead rate card management and conduct periodic pricing reviews with commercial teams.
• Ensure full compliance with VAT, WHT, PAYE, and CIT requirements.
• Lead and manage tax audits and ensure timely acquisition of Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs).
• Maintain accurate records of Credit Notes utilization and Fixed Asset Register for depreciation and capital allowance claims.
• Ensure compliance with all tax, legal, audit, and financial regulations.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax authorities, and financial institutions.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and leadership team on all financial matters.

Person Specification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional certification (e.g., ACA, ACCA).
• Minimum of 8 years’ progressive finance experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role, preferably in an agency, media, creative, or professional services environment.
• MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Strong grasp of project accounting, billing cycles, and financial modelling within media/advertising contexts.
• Experience with agency tools such as Sage, QuickBooks, or project finance software.
• Familiarity with sector-relevant metrics (e.g., utilization rate, net revenue per FTE, client profitability).
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Proven stakeholder management experience.