Head of Accounts

Role summary

The Head of Accounts will provide senior financial leadership for the school, taking charge of budgeting, reporting, compliance, and overall financial management. The position is designed to ensure that funds are managed wisely to support the institution’s strategic direction, stability, and future growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can combine strong financial discipline with forward-looking planning, while maintaining transparency, efficiency, and compliance across all accounting activities.

Reporting and working relationships

The post is appointed by the Director of Schools in consultation with the Head of Operations and Human Resources. It reports to the Head of Operations; if the HOP is unavailable, reporting shifts to the Director of School, who also provides operational and strategic oversight.

The role partners closely with the Accounts team, Admin team, parents and guardians, external auditors, banks, government bodies, and other finance-related stakeholders.

Core duties

• Set and implement financial strategies that support the school’s long-term plans and day-to-day operations.
• Advise senior leaders and the Board on performance, financial risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage forecasting, cash flow, and investment-related planning to protect long-term sustainability.
• Lead the annual budgeting cycle and ensure departmental budgets are practical and cost-conscious.
• Prepare consolidated annual budgets and ensure they align with institutional priorities.
• Produce accurate management accounts and financial statements within required timelines.
• Review financial patterns, budget variances, and forecasts to provide useful decision-making insights.
• Present regular financial updates to senior management and the Board.
• Ensure adherence to IFRS, tax obligations, regulatory requirements, and internal school policies.
• Design, monitor, and strengthen internal controls to protect assets and reduce fraud risk.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and follow through on audit recommendations promptly.
• Maintain complete, reliable, and transparent financial records and reconciliations.
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff to strengthen technical and analytical capability.
• Set clear targets and accountability measures for the Accounts Department.
• Promote teamwork, professional ethics, and high standards of performance.
• Work with HR, Procurement, and Administration to improve cross-functional finance processes.
• Identify financial risks and apply measures to reduce their impact.
• Track spending against budget and encourage prudent use of resources.
• Review procurement, supplier payments, and contracts for efficiency and value.
• Oversee liquidity and ensure funds are used effectively.
• Liaise with banks, auditors, tax authorities, vendors, and other outside partners.
• Provide financial analysis to support strategic projects and partnerships.
• Support department heads in managing budget use responsibly.
• Supervise junior accounting staff and provide training, guidance, and support.
• Conduct appraisals, set performance goals, and help maintain a cooperative working environment.
• Ensure accounting processes are accurate, efficient, and well controlled.

Performance expectations

• Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports must be accurate, timely, and aligned with IFRS and internal rules.
• Audit outcomes should show no material exceptions, and recommendations should be closed within 30 days of issuance.
• Tax filings, remittances, and statutory submissions must be completed on schedule with no penalties.
• Bank, payroll, procurement, and fee-income reconciliations should be completed every month, with discrepancies resolved immediately.
• Any control weaknesses should be addressed within 10 business days.
• Annual budget preparation and approval should keep operational variances within plus or minus 5%.
• Quarterly forecasts should include practical analysis and scenario planning for management.
• Cost-reduction efforts should cut non-essential spending by at least 10% each year without affecting quality.
• The finance team should meet at least 90% of departmental goals during each appraisal cycle.
• At least two strategic finance or governance improvements should be led or supported each year.

Safeguarding

Broadoaks British School states that it is committed to protecting the welfare of all children and young people in its care, and all staff are expected to share this responsibility.

Working conditions

Working language: English.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 7:20am to 4:30pm. Selected Saturdays may also be required for staff training and community outreach.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria.

Application note

Interested candidates should send their CV to recruitment@broadoaksbritishschool.com.

This job description may be updated when duties or business needs change.

Qualification and experience

A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline is required, while a master’s degree is preferred. Applicants should also hold a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or ICAN. The role calls for 8 to 15 years of accounting experience, including at least 4 years in a supervisory or senior position, ideally within an educational or non-profit environment.

Strong working knowledge of GAAP, compliance requirements, school financial regulations, asset management, asset tagging, account reconciliations, and consumables inventory control is expected. Candidates should be proficient in accounting software such as QuickBooks or Sage, and highly skilled in Microsoft Excel. Excellent analytical, organisational, problem-solving, and communication abilities are essential, along with strong attention to detail, the ability to manage several priorities at once, and the confidence to present financial information to non-financial audiences. Professionalism, integrity, independence, and teamwork are also important for success in this role.

Eligibility

Applicants with the required accounting education, professional certification, and substantial senior-level experience are suitable for this position. Experience in schools or non-profit settings will be an advantage.