Financial Controller at Strivo Labs – Lagos

Strivo Labs is recruiting a Financial Controller in Lagos. The role leads financial reporting, treasury, tax compliance, budgeting, internal controls and audit, including financial processes relating to lending and funding.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Financial Controller to oversee financial reporting, treasury, tax compliance, internal controls, budgeting, and audit functions.

The successful candidate will ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records, strengthen financial processes, support regulatory compliance, and provide reliable financial insights to management for strategic decision-making.

The ideal candidate must have strong financial management experience, a solid understanding of IFRS, and proven experience in fundraising readiness and execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting:.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in line with IFRS, including IFRS 9 expected credit loss provisioning.
• Lead the month-end closing process and ensure timely preparation of management accounts.
• Present financial performance, variance analysis, and key financial ratios to management.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of all financial records.
• Loan Book and Portfolio Accounting:.
• Oversee the accurate accounting of loan disbursements, repayments, interest income, fees, and write-offs.
• Reconcile loan management systems, payment gateways, and bank accounts.
• Work with Credit, Collections, and Risk teams to monitor portfolio quality, portfolio-at-risk (PAR), and impairment.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and reporting of loan portfolio activities.
• Treasury and Cash Management:.
• Manage daily cash positions, liquidity planning, and cash flow forecasting.
• Monitor funding facilities, lender covenants, and debt obligations.
• Oversee payment processes, approval controls, and banking relationships.
• Support debt reporting and funding-related financial requirements.
• Fundraising and Financial Planning:.
• Prepare the organisation for fundraising through financial modelling, projections, data room preparation, and due diligence documentation.
• Support management in executing debt and equity fundraising activities, from investor and lender engagement through to closing.
• Coordinate post-funding reporting and ensure compliance with investor and lender requirements.
• Develop financial models to support business growth, pricing, product development, and funding decisions.
• Internal Controls and Audit:.
• Design, document, implement, and enforce financial controls, policies, and approval limits.
• Coordinate external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Identify and address control gaps, fraud risks, and potential revenue leakages.
• Strengthen financial governance, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Tax and Regulatory Compliance:.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of CIT, VAT, WHT, PAYE, and other applicable statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Support regulatory reporting obligations relating to CBN, FCCPC, and other relevant authorities, where applicable.
• Keep the organisation updated on changes in tax laws, financial regulations, and reporting standards.
• Budgeting and Financial Planning:.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and coordinate budget preparation across business units.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and investigate significant variances.
• Provide financial forecasts and recommendations to support business planning and resource allocation.
• Team Leadership.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Finance and Accounts team.
• Establish clear performance objectives and KPIs for team members.
• Improve finance processes, reporting systems, and the use of accounting and financial management tools.
• Promote accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

Requirements

• Education and Professional Qualifications:.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• ACA (ICAN) or ACCA qualification is required.
• An MBA or Master’s degree in Finance is an added advantage.
• CFA, CITN/ACTI, or other relevant professional certifications are an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years in a financial management or leadership role.
• Proven experience in fundraising readiness and execution, including debt and/or equity financing.
• Experience in digital lending, fintech, microfinance, or consumer credit is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience building and improving financial processes in a growing organisation.
• Experience presenting financial information to executive management, boards, lenders, or investors.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of IFRS, including IFRS 9, Nigerian tax laws, financial controls, and audit procedures.
• Understanding of relevant CBN and FCCPC reporting requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP or accounting systems such as Sage, QuickBooks, Odoo, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Experience with loan management systems and reporting tools such as Power BI is an advantage.

Core Competencies:

• High integrity, sound judgement, and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent financial analysis, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict reporting deadlines.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to build effective financial processes in a fast-growing business.
• Compensation.
• N1,500,000 – N2,000,000 monthly.