Role Overview:

The Deputy Head - Finance & Accounts will play a pivotal role in steering the financial health and strategic direction of Petroexcel's operations in Nigeria. This leadership position involves comprehensive oversight of all financial planning, accounting, and reporting functions, ensuring robust financial controls and compliance with local and international regulations. The incumbent will work closely with the Country Head, global finance teams, business unit leaders, and external stakeholders, providing critical financial insights and strategic recommendations to drive profitability, manage risk, and support aggressive business expansion in the region. This role is instrumental in optimizing financial performance and ensuring the fiscal integrity of the Nigerian entity.

Key Responsibilities:

- Financial Reporting & Control: Lead the preparation and analysis of accurate and timely financial statements, P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow reports in compliance with IFRS and local accounting standards, ensuring robust financial control frameworks are in place.

- Strategic Financial Planning: Drive the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes for the Nigerian operations, providing strategic insights to support business growth and resource allocation.

- Treasury & Fund Management: Oversee treasury operations, including cash flow management, foreign exchange risk mitigation, and optimizing working capital to ensure liquidity and efficient utilization of funds.

- Fund Raising & Investor Relations: Support fundraising initiatives, including debt and equity financing, by preparing financial models, presentations, and engaging with potential investors and financial institutions.

- Taxation & Compliance: Manage all aspects of direct and indirect taxation, including corporate tax, VAT, and international taxation, ensuring full compliance with Nigerian tax laws and regulations.

- Audit & Risk Management: Coordinate internal and external audits, implement audit recommendations, and establish comprehensive risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks.

- Cost Accounting & Optimization: Implement and monitor cost accounting systems, analyze cost structures, and identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvements across business operations.

- Process Excellence & Digital Transformation: Champion initiatives for process improvement and automation within the finance function, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and data analytics capabilities.

- Leadership & Team Development: Mentor and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and professional growth.

- Corporate Strategy & Business Partnering: Act as a strategic business partner to the Country Head and leadership team, contributing financial expertise to corporate strategy development, new business ventures, and operational decision-making.

Required Skillset:

- A Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is mandatory, coupled with 20-25 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting leadership roles, preferably within the energy, oil & gas, or technology services sectors.

- Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, financial operations, fund management, treasury, and taxation, with a strong understanding of Nigerian and international financial regulations.

- Proven track record in leading audit processes, implementing robust financial controls, and managing risk effectively within complex organizational structures.

- Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with a capacity to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights and contribute to corporate strategy.

- Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in building, mentoring, and developing high-performing finance teams.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with senior leadership, external stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.

- Proficiency in financial modeling, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and advanced Excel, with a commitment to process excellence and digital transformation in finance.

- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in managing multiple priorities and driving results.

- Experience with international taxation and compliance in a multinational context is highly desirable.