Job Title: Head of Accounts
Location: Abuja
Job type: Full-time
Job Purpose
- The Head of Accounts provides strategic financial leadership, overseeing all aspects of financial management, budgeting, reporting, and compliance for the school.
- The role ensures that financial resources are effectively managed to support the school’s vision, long-term sustainability, and growth objectives.
- This position requires a proactive leader who can balance financial discipline with strategic foresight, ensuring transparency, compliance, and efficiency across all financial operations.
Overview of the Role
- The Head of Accounts is responsible for developing and implementing robust financial strategies, internal controls, and reporting systems.
- The role leads the Accounts Department, supports budget holders, ensures compliance with financial regulations, and provides accurate financial insight for decision-making.
- The role works closely with senior leadership, auditors, banks, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure sound governance and fiscal integrity across the organisation.
Relationship
- The Head of accounts is appointed by the Director of Schools in consultation with the HOP and HR.
- The Head of Accounts reports directly to the Head of Operations. However, in the absence of the Head of Operations, he/she will report to the Director of School, who will also provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight.
- The Head of Accounts works closely with the Accounts team, Admin team, parents/guardians, external auditors, and collaborates with other finance professionals, banks and government agencies.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership:
- Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the school’s long-term goals and operational plans.
- Advise the Board and Senior Leadership on financial performance, risks, and strategic opportunities.
- Oversee financial forecasting, cash flow management, and investment planning to ensure sustainability.
- Lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring realistic projections and cost efficiency across departments.
Financial Planning, Budgeting & Reporting:
- Prepare and manage the school’s consolidated annual budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Generate accurate and timely financial statements and management reports for decision-making.
- Analyze financial trends, variances, and forecasts to provide actionable insights. Present periodic financial performance reports to senior management and the Board.
Financial Governance & Compliance:
- Ensure full compliance with IFRS, tax laws, regulatory requirements, and school financial policies.
- Design and monitor internal control systems to safeguard assets and prevent fraud. Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring timely implementation of audit recommendations.
- Maintain accurate and transparent records of all financial transactions and reconciliations.
Team Leadership & Capacity Building:
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounts team to build financial and analytical capability.
- Establish clear performance objectives and accountability within the department. Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and ethical conduct.
- Build cross-functional collaboration with HR, Procurement, and Administration.
Risk Management & Cost Control:
- Identify financial risks and implement strategies to mitigate them.
- Monitor expenditure against budgets to ensure prudent spending.
- Review procurement processes, vendor payments, and contracts for cost efficiency. Ensure strong liquidity management and effective use of funds.
Stakeholder Relations
- Liaise with banks, auditors, tax authorities, and external partners.
- Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support strategic projects and partnerships.
- Collaborate with department heads to ensure accountability in budget utilisation.
Team Leadership and Development:
- Supervise and mentor junior accounting staff, providing training and support.
- Set performance goals, conduct evaluations, and foster a collaborative work environment.
- Ensure the accuracy and efficiency of all accounting tasks and processes.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Masters degree preferred.
- Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAN )
- Minimum of 8 –15 years of accounting experience, with at least 4 years in a supervisory or senior role, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting.
- Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and experience with compliance requirements.
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage) and advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
- Proven experience in Asset Management, Asset Tagging, Accounts reconciliation and Inventory management (consumables)
- Knowledge of financial regulations and laws applicable to schools
- Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of professionalism and integrity.
Application Closing Date
Not Specified
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: recruitment@broadoaksbritishschool.com using the job title as the subject of the mail.
