Finance Manager-Real Estate/Publishing

About the Organisation

Our client is a long-established Nigerian conglomerate with business interests in printing, publishing, book retail, real estate, and other emerging ventures, united by a purpose-driven commitment to delivering service to humanity through profitable and sustainable enterprises. With a renewed focus on operational excellence, financial discipline, and organisational transformation, the Group is strengthening its corporate services and building a solid foundation for future growth.

As part of this evolution, the organisation is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to enhance financial operations, improve reporting quality, strengthen internal controls, and ensure sound financial management across all business units.

The Objectives of the Role

The Finance Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective budgeting and forecasting, strong cashflow and working capital management, tax and regulatory compliance, and efficient day-to-day finance operations.

The role works closely with the Group Managing Director and Business Unit Heads, providing timely financial insights that support decision-making and reinforce the Group’s overall financial health.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes for the Group and its subsidiaries.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Monitor financial performance versus budget and provide meaningful variance analysis and recommendations.
• Oversee cashflow planning, working capital optimisation, banking relationships, and treasury operations.
• Ensure full compliance with tax, audit, regulatory, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls, enforce proper financial processes, and ensure data accuracy.
• Support business units with financial insight, cost optimisation, pricing and profitability reviews, and project evaluations.
• Supervise accountants, finance officers, and AP/AR staff to ensure high-quality and timely outputs.
• Drive effective use of ERP/accounting systems and participate in financial process improvement initiatives.
• Provide financial support for special projects, Board reporting, and transformation programmes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To clarify expectations, success in this role will be measured using practical, realistic KPIs, including:

Financial Reporting & Accuracy

• 100% on-time delivery of monthly management accounts (e.g., within 5–7 working days of month-end).
• Less than 2% error rate in financial statements and reports.
• Quarterly variance reports delivered within agreed timelines with actionable insights.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Annual budget completed by deadline and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Rolling forecasts updated quarterly with variance explanations and scenario analysis.
• Maximum ±5–10% variance between forecast and actuals for controllable cost lines.

Cashflow & Working Capital Management

• Weekly cashflow reports delivered on schedule.
• Improvement in working capital cycle (e.g., reduction in days inventory outstanding, reduction in debtor days).
• Maintain minimum agreed cash reserve levels and ensure proactive liquidity planning.
• Reduction in finance costs through improved treasury management and negotiation with banks.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Zero penalties arising from tax non-compliance or statutory lapses.
• Successful audit completion with minimal audit adjustments.
• Documented internal control improvements implemented each quarter.

Asset Management & Project Evaluation

• Manage group assets—machinery, vehicles, properties, and retail outlets.
• Evaluate capital expenditure requests using ROI, payback period, IRR, etc.
• Monitor real estate project budgets, contractor payments, and cost overruns.

Policy Development & Systems Implementation

• Develop financial policies for procurement, payments, approvals, inventory, reporting, etc.
• Drive digital transformation through ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Sage, QuickBooks, Odoo etc).
• Standardise accounting procedures across subsidiaries.

Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Establish strong internal control frameworks across all subsidiaries.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, tax, and audit requirements.
• Implement fraud prevention systems and periodic internal audits.
• Mitigate exposure in areas like:

• Foreign exchange (if importing printing supplies)
• Credit risks from distributors and retail partners
• Real estate development risks

Operational Efficiency & Systems Management

• ERP utilisation improvements, such as increased posting accuracy and reduced manual journal entries.
• Reduction in month-end close cycle by improving workflow efficiency.
• Implementation of at least 2 finance process improvements every year.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Performance improvement of finance team members through coaching and development plans.
• Cross-functional satisfaction rating (via periodic internal feedback) of at least 80%.
• Ensuring timely completion of AP/AR tasks, including meeting DPO/DSO targets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• ICAN or ACCA qualification (or at an advanced stage).
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting.
• Minimum 3–5 years supervising finance or accounting teams.
• Strong experience in budgeting, reporting, cashflow management, taxation, and IFRS.
• Experience in a multi-business or group structure is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills.
• High integrity, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to work under pressure.

What Makes This Role Unique?

• A rare opportunity to help stabilise, modernise, and strengthen the finance function of a legacy organisation.
• Exposure to diverse business units—from printing and publishing to real estate and emerging ventures.
• A role that blends hands-on financial operations with strategic leadership and business partnering.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a hands-on Finance Manager or a Senior Accountant ready to step into a broader, group-level function that offers both operational depth and strategic impact.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should attach their CV and a short cover note.