Senior Manager, Financial Controller

Reports to: Head of Finance

Department: Finance

Job Purpose Statement

The Senior Manager Financial Controller is responsible for overall general ledger management and reconciliation policy within the bank, as well as the enhancement of quality of product reporting, accounting, controls, and revenue assurance to support business objectives. The role provides direction, leadership, and oversight, specifically as follows:

• Participate in and support implementation and entrenchment of financial controls culture, policies, tools, processes, and procedures to ensure efficient and effective preparation and dissemination of financial information.
• Responsible for systems assurance to verify accuracy and completeness of transactions and resulting revenues.
• Responsible for specialized financial markets products accounting and financial reporting in line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), tax laws, and Bank policies. This ensures trade positions are fair valued where applicable.
• Serve as the primary control function for bank product accounting and financial reporting, monitoring revenue assurance within specified bank operating entities.
• Oversee the balance-sheet substantiation process by monitoring suspense accounts, utilizing daily reconciliation, and escalating aging items to relevant departments.
• Champion RCSA, BIA, and BCP for finance and all other policies and procedures.
• Lead both internal and external audit processes, supporting external audits and leading preparation and revision of finance procedures and policies.

Key Accountabilities (Duties and Responsibilities)

Financial (10%)

• Minimize operational losses by applying sound analytical judgment to identify trends, suggest, and implement improvements to controls, procedures, and systems to bolster fraud prevention.
• Ensure departmental staff adhere to cost management measures put in place by the bank, such as stationery, telephone, and taxi usage.

Controls, Reconciliation, Product Control, and Revenue Assurance (60%)

• Work closely with the Finance system to ensure data quality and accurate ledger maintenance.
• Ensure daily reconciliations for all suspense accounts, provide monthly reconciliation status reports, and conduct quarterly GL substantiation on the balance sheet.
• Sign off on new suspense accounts, close inactive/dormant accounts, and rename automatically opened accounts per Bank policy.
• Follow up and escalate aged items in suspense accounts promptly.
• Ensure proper configuration of banking products in the Core banking system and other systems in accordance with IFRS and regulations.
• Analyze actual versus expected revenue from various bank products and transaction lines.
• Identify and analyze potential revenue leaks, such as incorrect or unpriced transactions, inefficiencies, missing transactions, and uncollected revenues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive business performance and revenue collections.
• Map and implement routine controls for all revenue-affecting activities, including discounts, adjustments, and waivers, and lead policy/procedure development to streamline revenue assurance processes.
• Oversee daily treasury P&L reconciliations and report on financial performance.
• Monitor daily Calypso and Core banking systems interfaces and data flows.
• Analyze and investigate P&L discrepancies.
• Track daily and monthly P&L per portfolio.
• Manage daily reporting of financial markets product contributions, valuation events, posting events, and transactions to P&L.
• Investigate and follow up on Calypso system shortcomings and periodically review parameter setups and validations.
• Monitor unclaimed assets to ensure timely remittance as per BOT guidelines.
• Represent the unit in all projects affecting GL accounts.

Customer (20%)

• Proactively contribute to and influence department policies and strategic direction.
• Provide effective and efficient first-level system user support in finance with respect to Core Banking application, SAP, Calypso.
• Continuously review cross-functional partnerships to prevent revenue leakages, especially during new product launches and system enhancements.
• Ensure the integrity of bank systems to identify potential revenue recognition issues.
• Manage general ledger technical management and validation.
• Ensure revenue and expense computations and revenue collections are accurate.
• Review system interfaces for optimization.
• Suggest and implement improvements to controls and procedures to bolster fraud prevention.
• Serve as key liaison with business units for new product system implementation and configuration.
• Maintain systems Business Continuity Plans.
• Prepare industry analysis and support Board and Management reporting requirements.

Control functions include:

• Closing audit issues within the quarter or agreed timeframe.
• Continuous Risk Control and Self-Assessment process.
• Nil repeat findings.
• 100% SLA adherence and turnaround time compliance.

Learning & Growth (10%)

• Provide overall leadership to the unit, developing a high-performing, engaged workforce through performance management, motivation, coaching, and training.
• Develop and agree on objectives, standards, and targets with staff, conduct reviews.
• Ensure staff have necessary tools for their work (hardware, software, licenses) in coordination with HR, ICT, and Commercial Services.
• Identify and align staff training needs with HR and Head of Finance.
• Implement agreed leave schedules, allowing 10 continuous leave days with a maximum carry forward of 5 days to the next financial year.

Job Dimensions

Reporting Relationships:

• Direct Reports: 1 Assistant Manager
• Indirect Reports: 2 Officers (Reconciliation & Product/Revenue Assurance)

Stakeholder Management:

Internal: All Bank departments for revenue assurance, Treasury, Internal Audit/Risk & Compliance, Business heads, Head of Reporting and Business Support, Head of Product Controls – Group, Head of Financial Controls – Group, Country Managing Director, Branch Managers

External: INTELLIMATCH, BOT, External auditors, Mobile Service providers, Bank Customers

Decision Making Authority / Mandates / Constraints:

Both operational and managerial, gives advice/opinions to be incorporated in strategic decisions. Departmental budget control on assets and Human Capital.

Work Cycle and Impact:

1–12 months (planning, time horizon, and nature of impact)

Ideal Job Specifications

Academic:

University Degree in Business-related studies or equivalent (minimum 2nd Upper Class Honors or 3.0 GPA)

Professional:

8 years’ experience in a medium to large corporate organization. CPA/ACCA qualification. CIMA or equivalent is an added advantage.

Desired Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years’ banking experience with at least 4 years in a middle management role.
• Working knowledge of bank operating systems, controls, and general banking.
• Knowledge of regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Practical experience in use of relevant MS Office applications.
• Competency in INTELLIMATCH and T24 bank systems.
• Five years’ work experience in middle management.
• Experience in financial services industry or banking sector.
• Competence in Calypso, SAP, and T24 systems.

Core Value Behaviours (Performance Drivers)

• Drive
• Responsive
• Open
• Trusted

Ideal Job Competencies

Technical Competencies:

• Knowledge and application of all relevant banking policies, processes, procedures, and guidelines to consistently achieve compliance standards.
• Technical skills for effective reconciliations.
• Performance management skills to optimize employee productivity.
• Interpersonal skills to collaborate with internal customers and stakeholders and work independently.
• Analytical skills for process assessment and improvement.
• Leadership skills to motivate and empower the team.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Planning and organizing: Effective use of resources for achieving departmental objectives, tracking progress, and managing contingencies.
• Action oriented: Initiates action and drives progress.
• Problem solving: Identifies root causes, explores solutions, and makes timely decisions.
• Communication: Presents ideas clearly, responds to objections convincingly, and ensures understanding.
• Commercial awareness: Understands how business issues affect profitability, recognizes market implications, and demonstrates market understanding.