Internal Control Team Lead

 JOB SUMMARY

• Responsible for compliance with ICFR requirements based on COSO's Internal Control Framework and the implementation of effective Controls in all business processes, operations and systems, to ensure accuracy and Integrity in Financial Reporting as well as operational efficiency.
• Adherence to established NASCON's Policies, Procedures, and Controls.
• Process improvements in the business processes and units, contributing to maintaining a strong control environment.
• Risks are appropriately profiled, and risk-mitigating control objectives are achieved. Control Issues are monitored and closed satisfactorily within the set deadlines, preventing crystallization of losses and escalating to Senior Management on a timely basis, all control concerns arising from failure of controls that could result in potential or actual losses.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and ensure the effectiveness of the internal control framework for the Company 
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are adequately designed and tested in keeping with professional guidelines.  
• Ensure that all key controls over financial transactions and reporting are operating effectively. 
• Ensure full compliance with the ERP system (and other ancillary finance systems, e.g., PRIMUS, SEC Portal, etc.) process and controls. 
• Design and embed effective dashboards and other management reporting mechanisms that report and track the strength of the internal control framework to the Management and the Board (i.e., through the Board of Risk and Control Committee and the Statutory Audit Committee). 
• Ensure an effective pre-payment audit process is in place.
• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential risks inherent in the business processes, profile all identified risks in the Risk Universe, and develop an appropriate Risk Dashboard for continuous evaluation and monitoring of potential risks and opportunities. 
• Review and assess the design, implementation, maintenance, and operating effectiveness of the Entity 
• Level Internal Control to ensure compliance with organizational Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and regulatory requirements, as well as review and assessment of the design, implementation, maintenance, and operating effectiveness of FSLI controls with a view to ensuring integrity, accuracy, and reliability of Financial Reporting.
• Develop an Internal Control Plan for continuous testing, evaluation, and monitoring of ICFR. 
• Develop ICR awareness activities, including training Internal Control Team Members and Other staff for capacity building and to bridge the knowledge gap.
• Liaise with all departments to ensure that all Business Process Controls are complied with.
• Coordinates the testing of controls for the purpose of Internal Control Certification in the Financial reports.
• Maintain a dashboard for all ICR controls that fail internal testing, recommending appropriate remediation actions and timelines, and follow up with process owners and departments to ensure swift remediation on failed controls. 
• Coordinates the testing of controls by external auditors for the purpose of certification in the financial reports.
• Collaborate with Internal Stakeholders, including Finance, Accounts, and operating teams, to ensure internal controls are integrated into business processes.
• Recommend possible compensating controls for controls that fail testing and are not remediated by the end of the reporting period or period end.
• Support departments in performing key ICFR controls where there are staff shortages or
• knowledge gaps.
• Ensure that evidence from controls testing is properly filed/archived and readily available to Management, external auditors, and other interested parties on need basis /as and when needed.
• Stay up-to-date with regulatory requirements, industry trends, and best practices in internal controls.
• Review Vendor creation, Customer Creation (Agreements), and Credit setting for customers. 
• Identify the risks that a business faces and develop preventive strategies.
• Review of SOP from time to time, identifying areas for possible updates.
• Supervise Internal Control team members.

COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent organizing and prioritizing skills
• Ability to pay attention to detail and accuracy
• Information management skills
• Effective communication and vendor relationship skills
• Analytical skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Professional integrity
• Proficiency to meet deadlines

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE

• B.sc Accounting, ICAN/ACCA certification is an added advantage 
• 8-10 years of experience in a large professional organization.
• Ability to interpret data.
• Analytical skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent Communication skills and perfect command of the English language.
• Proficient with the SAP ERP system and Microsoft Office.