• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
  
• Master's degree in business administration (MBA) with a specialization in finance is an added advantage.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent certification.
  
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or other relevant professional certifications.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance and accounting, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
  

Strategic Thinking and Leadership

• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies aligned with the organization's overall business objectives.
• Conduct strategic financial planning and forecasting to identify opportunities and risks, analyze industry trends and competitive landscape to inform strategic decision-making and collaborate with senior management to develop and execute strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and internal controls.
• Review and update financial policies and procedures to adapt to changing business needs and regulatory requirements, ensuring adherence to corporate governance principles and best practices.
• Lead and manage a high-performing team of finance professionals, foster a positive and collaborative work environment, and provide mentorship and coaching to team members.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, board members, and external auditors, effectively communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders and represent the finance department in cross-functional initiatives, as required.
• Lead and manage organizational change initiatives related to finance and accounting, communicate change effectively and address concerns and resistance and implement new financial systems and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Financial Expertise

• Oversee the in-depth financial analysis process to identify trends, opportunities, and risks, analyze financial performance and advise stakeholders on areas for improvement.
• Direct the review financial reports, including income statements, statement of financial position, and cash flow statements, variance analysis to understand deviations from budget and forecast and cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the financial impact of decisions.
• Lead the development and maintenance financial models to forecast future performance, assess risk, and support decision-making.
• Direct the use of financial modeling to evaluate the impact of different scenarios and strategic initiatives and create financial projections and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (GAAP or IFRS), stay updated on changes in accounting standards and their impact on the organization's financial reporting and guide the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, such as market risk, credit risk, and operational risk and monitor the development and implementation risk management strategies and controls.
• Oversee cash flow management and working capital optimization and ensure good banking relationships are maintained and negotiate favorable terms.

Market and Industry Analysis

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify trends, opportunities, and threats, analyze industry benchmarks and competitor performance and monitor regulatory changes and their impact on the market.
• Analyze industry trends, including technological advancements, economic factors, and regulatory changes and assess the impact of industry trends on the organization's financial performance.
• Collaborate with senior management to develop and implement strategic plans, align financial strategies with the organization's overall business objectives and identify potential growth opportunities and develop strategies to capitalize on them.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Clearly communicate complex financial information to diverse audiences, including senior management, board members, and other stakeholders, develop clear and concise presentations and reports and actively listen to the needs and concerns of stakeholders.
• Communicate change initiatives effectively, address resistance to change and manage change processes to minimize disruption and maximize adoption.
• Develop and implement crisis management plans, respond effectively to financial crises or other emergencies, and communicate with stakeholders during crises to minimize negative impact.