Internal Control Officer (Merchant & Agency Services and E-commerce Control Officer) at Pishon and Brooks Advisory Services

JOB PURPOSE

• The Merchant & Agency Services and E-Commerce Control Officer is responsible for providing independent control oversight, assurance, and monitoring of activities within the Merchant & Agency Services and E-Commerce business functions. The role supports the effectiveness of the organization’s internal control framework by identifying control weaknesses, monitoring compliance with approved policies and procedures, mitigating operational risks, and ensuring adherence to regulatory and internal governance requirements.
• The officer will perform risk-based control reviews, control testing, exception monitoring, and reporting activities aimed at safeguarding company assets, preventing losses, strengthening operational efficiency, and promoting a strong control culture across the assigned business functions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Control Monitoring and Assurance

• Perform periodic and risk-based control reviews of Merchant & Agency Services and E-Commerce operations.
• Monitor business processes to ensure compliance with approved policies, procedures, service standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct control testing and validate the effectiveness of key operational controls.
• Identify control gaps, process weaknesses, and operational risks, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Review merchant onboarding, agency banking activities, and e-commerce transactions to ensure compliance with established controls.
• Monitor transaction processing activities for unusual trends, irregularities, exceptions, and potential fraud indicators.
• Ensure prompt escalation of identified control breaches, operational lapses, and policy violations.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Support risk assessment exercises for assigned business functions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including CBN guidelines, AML/CFT regulations, NDPR requirements, and other relevant industry standards.
• Monitor the implementation of corrective actions arising from audits, regulatory examinations, and internal control reviews.
• Participate in investigations relating to operational incidents, control failures, fraud cases, and customer disputes.
• Track and report outstanding control issues and ensure timely closure by process owners.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare periodic control reports, exception reports, and management updates for review by the Head, Business & Support Control.
• Maintain accurate documentation of control reviews, testing results, findings, and remediation activities.
• Ensure prompt reporting of unusual incidents, control breaches, and emerging risks.
• Support the preparation of audit and regulatory examination responses where required.

Advisory and Process Improvement

• Provide control advisory support to Merchant & Agency Services and E-Commerce teams.
• Review new products, initiatives, process changes, and system enhancements to identify potential control implications.
• Recommend process improvements that strengthen controls while supporting business efficiency.
• Promote awareness of internal control policies and best practices within assigned business units.
• Maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to facilitate timely resolution of control issues.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Timeliness and quality of control reviews and reports.
• Number and quality of control issues identified.
• Timely closure of audit and control exceptions.
• Reduction in operational losses and control incidents.
• Reduction in unresolved reconciliation and exception items.
• Compliance with regulatory and internal policy requirements.
• Timeliness of incident escalation and reporting.
• Quality of control testing documentation.
• Effectiveness of remediation monitoring and follow-up activities.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with control advisory support.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or a related field.

Professional Certifications:

• ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, CRISC, or equivalent professional certification will be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience in Internal Control, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, or Operational Control.
• Experience within fintech, payments, banking, financial services, agency banking, merchant acquiring, or e-commerce environments is preferred.
• Experience in operational risk assessment, control testing, reconciliation review, and exception management.

Skill/Competencies:

• Knowledge of internal control principles, risk management frameworks, and governance practices.
• Understanding of payment systems, merchant acquiring, agency banking, and e commerce operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Effective report writing and documentation skills.
• Good stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to identify process weaknesses and recommend practical solutions.
• Sound knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements applicable to the financial services industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and other data analysis tools.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.