Head - Accounts Operations | Lagos, Nigeria (CA Only)

Head Accounts Operations

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Industry: Oil & Gas / Energy / Metals & Mining / Cement / Manufacturing
Function: Finance & Accounts
Experience: 20-30 Years
Qualification: Chartered Accountant (CA) Mandatory
Reporting To: Management & Group Finance Leadership

About the Company

Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company is a 21-year-old diversified conglomerate with operations across asset-intensive business sectors. The organisation is seeking an accomplished finance professional to lead accounting operations and provide strategic financial support across designated business verticals.

Job Purpose

The Head Accounts Operations will be responsible for managing and leading accounting operations across assigned business verticals, ensuring financial discipline, accurate and timely reporting, effective cash-flow management, strong internal controls and operational efficiency.

The role will work closely with business heads and senior management to provide financial insights, drive performance improvement and support sound business decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, plan, direct and coordinate accounting operations across assigned business verticals.
• Oversee Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR) and day-to-day accounting activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly and annual closure of books.
• Prepare and review Monthly Management Accounts and financial reports.
• Provide management reporting, financial analysis and actionable business insights.
• Manage cash flows and drive working-capital optimisation.
• Monitor receivables, payables, liquidity and overall cash conversion.
• Drive cost optimisation, process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Establish, strengthen and monitor internal financial controls.
• Oversee Fixed Assets Accounting and Inventory Accounting.
• Lead annual budgeting, financial forecasting and periodic reforecasting.
• Conduct budget vs. actual variance analysis and identify key cost drivers.
• Provide financial inputs to business leadership for operational and strategic decision-making.
• Partner closely with Heads of respective business verticals to improve financial and business performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, financial policies and internal processes.
• Identify financial risks and recommend appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance and accounting team to build a high-performing function.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an experienced senior finance leader with a strong track record in large, complex and asset-intensive organisations.

The ideal candidate would currently be working in roles such as:

• CFO / Chief Financial Officer
• Finance Director
• Head – Finance
• Head – Accounts
• Senior Finance Controller
• Business Finance / Financial Controller leadership roles

Preferred Industry Background

Candidates from the following sectors will be particularly relevant:

• Oil & Gas
• Energy
• Metals & Mining
• Cement
• Manufacturing
• Infrastructure
• Other large-scale, asset-intensive businesses

Required Skills & Experience

• 20–30 years of relevant experience in Finance & Accounts.
• Chartered Accountant (CA) – Mandatory.
• Strong experience in accounting and financial management within large and complex organisations.
• Hands-on expertise in financial reporting, management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Strong understanding of cash-flow management and working-capital optimisation.
• Experience in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets and Inventory Accounting.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls and financial processes.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying cost drivers and implementing cost-efficiency initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder-management and business-partnering capabilities.
• Proven experience in leading, mentoring and developing finance teams.
• Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with senior management and business leadership.

Key Competencies

Accounting & Financial Reporting | Management Accounts | Financial Planning & Analysis | Budgeting & Forecasting | Cash Flow Management | Working Capital | Cost Optimisation | Internal Controls | Fixed Assets | Inventory Accounting | AP & AR | Variance Analysis | Business Partnering | Team Leadership | Financial Analytics

Why This Opportunity?

This is a significant finance leadership opportunity for an accomplished finance professional looking to take ownership of accounting operations across major business verticals within a diversified, asset-intensive organisation.

The role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior management and business leaders while driving financial discipline, reporting excellence, cash-flow optimisation and operational efficiency across the organisation.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Head – Accounts
Experience: 20–30 Years
Qualification: Chartered Accountant (Mandatory)