Finance Controller

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.
They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.
Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, the ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Finance Controller is an individual who is passionate about financial analysis, systems and internal control and has successfully designed and implemented financial models and has led implementation / integration projects. 

They will also need to be an excellent communicator, able to create relationships and lead effective and empathic collaboration with non-financial stakeholders. A very strong finance professional, above everything else they are a  pragmatic builder who thinks outside of the box.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Control Oversight:

• Oversee all financial control activities, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Review and analyze financial results, including financial statements and disclosures, ensuring they comply with local and international accounting standards and are free of discrepancies.
• Monitor key financial indicators and internal controls, ensuring efficient management of assets and liabilities across both campuses.

Management  Reporting and Financial Insights:

• Lead the preparation and delivery of accurate and timely management reports.
• Oversee the month-end reporting process, ensuring adherence to deadlines and high-quality outputs.
• Drive process improvements for efficient and effective reporting workflows.
• Collaborate with departments to gather and validate operational data..
• Play a key role in the budget planning process, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational requirements.

Budget  Implementation and Budgetary Controls

• Lead the implementation of budgetary controls, ensuring both campuses adhere to the approved budgets ensuring strong financial discipline and the effective management of resources across the campuses.

External Audit and Documentation Support:

• Coordinate and manage the relationship with external auditors, providing them with the necessary documentation and support to ensure smooth and timely completion of annual audits.
• Work with auditors to address any issues or findings and implement solutions that improve financial controls and reduce the risk of audit discrepancies.

Systems and Financial Tools Management:

• Identify, implement, and optimise financial software and tools to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Train and support staff in the effective use of financial systems, ensuring consistency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of financial tools and systems, recommending upgrades or new solutions as necessary.
• Seamless mapping and integration between the financial Model and accounting.

Tax Preparation and Filing:

• Oversee tax preparation duties, ensuring the organization's taxes are prepared accurately, filed on time, and in compliance with local tax regulations.
• Collaborate with external tax advisors to ensure that all tax filings reflect the company’s financial activities and optimize the organization’s tax position.

Compliance and Taxation:

• Ensure that the organization meets all necessary tax, permit, and licensing requirements for both Mauritius and Rwanda campuses, keeping up-to-date with local regulatory changes and ensuring timely compliance.
• Oversee the preparation of tax returns, liaising with external tax accountants where applicable, and ensuring accurate and timely filing of taxes in both jurisdictions.
• Stay abreast of local, regional, and international tax legislation to optimize the organization's tax position while maintaining full compliance.

Collaboration with Executive Team for Process Improvement:

• Collaborate closely with the executive team to develop and implement more effective processes and internal controls, ensuring the integrity of the company’s ledger and financial operations.
• Lead initiatives to refine and enhance financial reporting, procurement, and other financial processes, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actions that align with the strategic goals of the institution.

Cross-Department Collaboration:

• Work closely with academic and administrative departments to align financial goals with institutional priorities.
• Provide training and support to departmental staff on financial policies and procedures.
• Work with department heads to create detailed budgets that align with the organisation's strategic objectives.
• Update financial projections on a regular basis to reflect changing market conditions and business performance.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Identify potential financial risks, such as currency fluctuations, credit risk, and market volatility.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and university policies.
• Recommend and create Implementation strategies to manage and mitigate financial risks.
• Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification preferred).
• 5-8 years of relevant financial management experience, with at least 3 years in a senior role, managing financial operations in a multinational environment.
• In-depth knowledge of local financial regulations in both Mauritius and Rwanda.
• Strong expertise in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, treasury management, and compliance.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing financial strategies, process improvements, and cost-efficiency initiatives.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop teams, ensuring a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• Expertise with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Sunsystems, Netsuite) and financial software tools