Financial Controller

Smile ID is unlocking digital Africa.

Smile ID is Africa's leading digital identity verification and Know Your Customer (KYC) provider. We were founded to solve the specific challenges faced by companies trying to onboard users in unique African conditions. We have built proprietary machine learning algorithms and a technology platform to cater for all skin tones, entry level devices and users operating in low bandwidth environments. We pride ourselves on striking the right balance between stopping fraudulent transactions and reducing onboarding friction and have enabled some of the fastest growing businesses across Africa to onboard at scale and in real-time, evidenced by performing over 100 million KYC checks to date. Our client base includes the Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Flutterwave, Fairmoney, Binance, Uber, Bolt, Kuda Bank, Opay, Paystack, Luno, Yellowcard, iKhokha and hundreds more. We’re growing very quickly. We did more jobs in 2023 than in 2016-2022 combined!

Our team is a diverse group of hardworking and fun-loving Smilers spanning 4 offices, 7 countries and many time zones. Our products are already making waves across many industries, from Banking to Fintech and Telecoms. We recently announced a $20M Series B raise and are backed by leading global investors, including Norsken22, Costanoa, CRE, Future Africa, Susa Ventures, Commerce Ventures, Courtside Ventures, Two Culture Capital, Latitude, Valuestream Ventures, Intercept Ventures and Vinod Khosla who are supporting us every step of the way.

We are BUILDERS and your day-to-day will involve building innovations that PROTECT people and serve as the foundation for trust in the digital economy in Africa. We believe everyone is an OWNER and with this opportunity, you have the autonomy to do your best work and grow, the flexibility to be creative, and an opportunity to put your unique stamp on our mission.

What are you waiting for? Come with us on this amazing journey!

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and qualified Financial Controller. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance, and contributing to strategic financial decision-making. As a qualified accountant, the Financial Controller will bring extensive expertise to drive the company's financial success.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

*Oversight of General Ledger *

• Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions in the general ledger.
  
• Implement and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard company assets.

*Financial Reporting: *

• Lead the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with local regulations and international accounting standards.
  
• Provide insightful analysis of financial performance to support decision-making.
  

*Budgeting and Forecasting: *

• Collaborate with department heads to develop annual budgets and forecasts.
  
• Monitor budget variances and provide recommendations to ensure financial goals are achieved.
  

*Tax Compliance: *

• Stay abreast of changes in local tax regulations and ensure timely and accurate filing of all required tax returns.
  
• Work closely with external tax advisors to optimize tax positions and minimize liabilities.
  
• Work closely with Compliance team to fulfil compliance requirements for the Smile ID CBN License.

*Cash Flow Management: *

• Manage cash flow effectively, forecasting future cash needs and optimizing liquidity.
  
• Implement strategies to maximize working capital efficiency.
  

*Financial Systems: *

• Oversee the implementation and optimization of financial systems, ensuring seamless integration with other business processes.

Team Leadership and Development

*Supervision and Training: *

• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  
• Provide ongoing training to enhance team members' skills and knowledge.
  

*Performance Evaluation: *

• Conduct regular performance evaluations and set development goals for team members.
  
• Ensure alignment of team objectives with overall organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CPA, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting roles.
• Experience in a CBN-regulated institution and familiarity with AML regulatory compliance
• Understanding of Nigerian financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems, with experience in Xero being an advantage.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in financial management.

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