Finance Manager - Lancaster University Ghana

Lancaster University Ghana is a partnership between Transnational Academic Group and Lancaster University, UK. Our campus is a branch campus of Lancaster University, UK. We provide excellent and inspiring teaching and places great emphasis on a strong student experience, employability and gives students access to academics who are experts in their field. Lancaster University Ghana offers the exact same degree to the degrees offered at our Lancaster University main campus in the UK. This means that you will be awarded the same qualifications - as if you were studying at the main campus.

Transnational Academic Group develops people who develop nations. Valuing and developing our people is essential to long term success. Our capacity to achieve our goals is dependent on our ability to attract, develop, nurture and retain high quality academic and professional staff. Transnational Academic Group (TAG) is owned and operated by a group that focuses on building value across three major business verticals including education, media, and information technology. The Group includes, among other interests, ABN 360, CNBC Africa, Forbes Africa, and Tech One Global.

Job Description

Transnational Academic Group Ghana is looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Finance Manager.  TAG Ghana operates Lancaster University Ghana on the basis of its partnership with Lancaster University, which is a top ranked UK based university.

Job Summary

The Finance Manager, oversees and directly manages the financial control, treasury (cash management), financial governance, and financial strategy & forecasting aspect of the business. The business from a Financial Control, Treasury (Cash Management), Governance, and Financial Strategy & Forecasting perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Finance

• Oversee the Finance Department ensuring compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Manage the P&L, prepare financial statements and oversee audit for the operating entities and at group level, with direct accountability to the Board of Directors;
• Consolidate financial statements at group level;
• Prepare budgets and monitor performance and variances;
• Manage, review and formulate accounting and financial procedures, policies, and practices;
• Management and compliance of taxation requirements in accordance with relevant taxation laws;
• Establish and implement short and long range finance departmental goals, objectives, and policies while improving operating protocols;
• Review contracts for risk exposure and management, and assure partner / vendor relationships are financially sound;
• Prepare and manage insurance policies as per all statutory and contractual obligations;
• Manage and assure compliance of all financial aspects of regulatory and statutory relationships and requirements;

Treasury/Banking

• Forecast 12-month cash flow position, including borrowing needs and funds available for investment, and report on the cash flow position to the Board;
• Ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing operational and capital investment requirements;
• Use best practices to mitigate financial risks related to interest rates on the company's borrowings, and foreign exchange positions;
• Maintain banking relationships;
• Assist in determining the company's capital structure;
• Arrange for working capital and debt financing as approved by the Board;
• Make recommendation to the Board on investing the available funds.

Financial Strategy & Forecasting

• Manage processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidation, and reporting on same to the CEO.
• Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with IAS & IFRS and applicable local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting;
• Provide the CEO and Board with advice on the financial implications of business activities;
• Evaluate viability of business plans regarding business expansion and operational efficiencies;
• Interact with senior management providing support and recommendations backed by financial and data and analyses.

Governance

• Responsibility for the statutory audit of the company and for a clean audit report;
• Ensure compliance of all financial policies;
• Responsible for all internal and external financial filing requirement and reporting all non-compliance;
• Report any material matters to the Founders and Board, as soon as they occur;
• Ensure all financial reports are prepared and submitted to the Board well in advance of Board meetings;
• Take all actions and decision that are in the best interest of the Company;

Leadership and HRD

• Support, coach and mentor members of the Finance Team.
• Assign workflow to team members and monitor for deliverables. 

Required Skills or Experience

Person Specifications:

*CV – assessed against the CV and Statement of Support. Evidence will be “scored” as part of the shortlisting process.
*Interview – assessed during the interview process by either competency-based interview, questions, tests, presentation etc.