Head of Finance at Charles Ardor & Company

Reports To: Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
Location: NEAT Micro-credit – Kaduna, Nigeria (on-site leadership role; relocation support may be discussed for the right candidate)

Job Summary  

The Head of Finance will provide both operational and strategic financial leadership to NEAT Micro-credit, establishing strong accounting, control, and reporting systems while supporting management with accurate, decision-ready financial information.
This role requires a hands-on finance professional who can build structure in a lean, high-transaction environment and guide the organization toward disciplined financial management, compliance, and sustainable growth

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Leadership & Oversight  
  • Lead the finance and accounting function, ensuring all financial activities are recorded accurately and timely.
  • Design and implement financial systems, procedures, and controls suited to NEAT’s lending operations.
  • Supervise and mentor the existing team of accountants and bookkeepers to improve performance, accuracy, and accountability.
  • Coordinate the monthly and quarterly closing process and produce management reports for decision-making.
• Treasury & Liquidity Management  
  • Oversee daily cash management to ensure adequate liquidity for loan disbursements, collections, and operational expenses.
  • Monitor cash flow trends and prepare short-term cash forecasts to guide funding needs.
  • Establish processes for cash handling, reconciliation, and bank management aligned with internal controls.
  • Supervise the accurate posting, reconciliation, and reporting of all loan disbursements and repayments.
  • Ensure interest income, provisioning, and loan loss adjustments are recorded correctly and supported by documentation.
  • Supervise the accurate posting, reconciliation, and reporting of all loan disbursements and repayments.
  • Ensure interest income, provisioning, and loan loss adjustments are recorded correctly and supported by documentation.
• Budgeting & Planning  
  • Lead the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans in collaboration with management.
  • Track performance against budget, highlighting variances and recommending corrective actions.
  • Support management in assessing new lending initiatives or funding opportunities from a financial standpoint.
  • Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including tax, pension, and relevant financial reporting obligations.
  • Prepare and submit accurate financial and management reports to regulators, investors, and funding partners as required.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations applicable to microcredit and financial services institutions.
  • Liaise with external auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory bodies as needed.
  • Implement and maintain financial policies, standard operating procedures, and internal controls.
  • Identify areas of process inefficiency and propose improvements that enhance accuracy and accountability.
  • Oversee the transition from manual to digital accounting processes where possible.
• Governance & Strategy Support  
  • Advise senior management on financial implications of operational decisions and business strategies.
  • Provide analysis to support pricing, funding, and cost management decisions.
  • Ensure management has a clear view of the organization’s financial health at all times.

Key Performance Indicators:
 

Education & Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Professional qualification (ICAN, ACCA, or equivalent) required or in final stages.

Experience

• Minimum of 6–8 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance roles.
• Demonstrated exposure to micro-credit, microfinance, or SME lending operations.
• Hands-on experience managing accounting processes, reconciliations, and reporting in lean or semi-manual environments.
• Prior experience setting up or strengthening financial systems and controls is a strong advantage.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in accounting software (QuickBooks preferred) and Microsoft Excel.
• Solid understanding of loan portfolio accounting, provisioning, and reporting principles.
• Working knowledge of statutory and regulatory reporting (CBN, NDIC, FIRS, PENCOM, etc.) as applicable.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with a bias for accuracy and control.
• High integrity and commitment to confidentiality.
• Comfortable operating in lean, high-transaction environments with limited automation.
• Practical, process-driven, and able to design systems that work for scale.
• Strong communication and team leadership abilities

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to work independently and drive accountability within a small team.
• Demonstrated initiative in automating or streamlining financial processes.
• Collaborative mindset: able to liaise across finance, operations, and executive management.
• Desire to build and strengthen financial infrastructure within a growing organization.

Benefits

1. Competitive Salary Package: Attractive compensation that reflects the strategic importance of the role.
2. Relocation Allowance (Subject to Management Review): Support provided to ease transition and settlement into the new work location.
3. Strategic Involvement in Financial Decisions: Opportunity to influence key financial policies actively, investment strategies
4. Professional Growth and Leadership Exposure: Hands-on experience in financial management, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement within a dynamic sector.