Job Description
At Essential Finance Limited, we are a disciplined, growth-focused lender. Our decisions are driven by hard data, not guesswork. We don’t just need someone to balance the books—we need a sharp, banking-trained financial mind to sit at the center of our strategy, protect our margins, and help us scale.
If you are a finance professional who thrives on the dynamics of lending, understands net interest margins, and is actively pushing to finalize your professional charter, this is the seat at the table you’ve been looking for.
This role requires deep, specialized industry knowledge. If you have not worked inside a Commercial Bank, Microfinance Bank (MfB), Finance Company, or Primary Mortgage Bank, this role is not for you.
The Qualification Sweet Spot: While our baseline profile asks for fully certified candidates, we value exceptional, hands-on banking experience. If you are not yet fully chartered but are actively registered and writing your final stages of ICAN or ACCA, we want to hear from you. We support ambition and professional growth.What You Will Own
This is not a generic accounting job. You will own performance reporting, budgeting, and profitability analysis for a regulated lending business.
• Performance & Reporting: Prepare monthly management accounts focused on banking KPIs: Net Interest Income (NII), non-interest revenue, cost-to-income ratio, and operating efficiency. Deliver insightful commentary, not just rows of numbers.
• Strategic Budgeting: Lead the annual budget and rolling forecasts. Run deep-dive variance analysis on Interest Income vs. Interest Expense.
• Profitability Analysis: Build granular margin analysis by branch, loan product, and business unit. Identify high-yield winners and underperforming portfolios.
• Liquidity & Treasury Support: Prepare robust cash-flow projections. Monitor liquidity ratios against internal limits and regulatory benchmarks.
• Regulatory & IFRS 9: Ensure all management reports align with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and CBN reporting standards. Support loan loss provisioning and credit risk reporting.
• Cost Control & Audit: Track OpEx trends, challenge spend, and drive cost-reduction initiatives. Own month-end close and GL integrity through rigorous reconciliations.
What You Must Have
• The Background: BSc/HND in Accounting, Finance, or Economics.
• The Track Record: 5+ years of core accounting/finance experience specifically within a banking or regulated financial institution environment.
• Professional Progress: Registered student/candidate with ICAN or ACCA (actively progressing through the professional exam stages).
• The Tech Stack: Advanced Excel skills (financial modeling, macros, pivots, Power Query) and hands-on experience with Core Banking Systems or Tier-1 ERPs.
• The Core Knowledge: Deep understanding of credit risk, loan loss provisioning, NII dynamics, and regulatory reporting frameworks.
Why Join Us?
• A Seat at the Table: Your analysis directly drives our lending decisions and corporate direction.
• Professional Growth: Work alongside seasoned finance leaders who value your drive to get chartered.
• Competitive Perks: Comprehensive Health Insurance, Pension, Leave Allowance, and other benefits in line with company policy.
• Location: Onikan, Lagos Island (Hybrid work structure).
Job Type: Full-time
Application Question(s):
• Are you able to commute to Onikan, Lagos Island easily?
• Maximum of one physical interview required. This will hold at our Onikan, Lagos Island office. If you cannot attend in person, kindly do not apply.
• Please read the full job description carefully before applying. Only candidates who meet the stated qualifications, experience, and Excel skills should submit an application.
• Do you have at least 5 years post-NYSC experience as a Management Accountant in a finance company (bank, microfinance bank, or fintech)? Please do not apply if you do not meet this requirement.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lagos
