Head of Finance & Business Control
Department: Finance & Business Control
Reports To: Managing Director
Direct Reports: Accountant, Accounts Assistant
Functional Oversight: Governance/Admin/HR/Compliance, ICT Systems, Contracts/Legal
1. ROLE MANDATE (WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS)
The Head of Finance & Business Control is responsible for ensuring financial discipline, cost control, governance integrity, and institutional sustainability across BLL.
The role is a key driver of the Single Big Objective (SBO): “Use our resources better every day to improve reliability, cut unit cost per CBM, and grow margin-positive revenue.”
The role ensures that:
- All growth is profitable and controlled
- Costs are visible, managed, and reduced
- The organisation operates within strong governance and compliance frameworks
- Financial, legal, HR, and systems foundations support sustainable growth
2. CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES (WHAT THIS ROLE OWNS)
Financial Control & Cost Discipline
- Own full financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management
- Develop and maintain cost per CBM model and ensure regular tracking
- Drive cost discipline across all departments
- Ensure accurate and timely billing, revenue recognition, and reconciliation
- Monitor and improve working capital (receivables, payables, cash cycles)
Margin Protection & Commercial Support
- Validate pricing for all major deals to ensure margin integrity
- Provide client-level profitability analysis
- Support Head of Commercial in:
- Pricing decisions
- Cost-to-serve modelling &
- Contract financial evaluation
- Ensure no loss-making contracts are entered without clear approval
Tax Planning & Compliance
- Lead tax planning strategy to optimise BLL’s tax position
- Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations (VAT, PAYE, WHT, NSSF, etc.)
- Manage tax audits and regulatory interactions
- Work with external advisors where required
Governance, Legal & Contract Control
- Oversee management of:
- Contracts and legal documents
- Land titles, leases, and key corporate records
- Ensure all documents are Up to date, Version controlled and Reflect latest BOD/management decisions
- Maintain oversight of legal risks and coordinate with external lawyers
- Ensure BOD and strategic governance documentation is properly maintained
HR, People Systems & Confidential Administration
- Oversee HR coordination and PeopleHum system management
- Ensure:
o Staff records accuracy
o Payroll integrity and confidentiality
o Performance management system alignment
- Support recruitment processes (in coordination with Heads)
- Maintain confidentiality across all HR and payroll processes
ICT & Systems Control
- Own oversight of ERP system (Dynamics 365 Business Central), PeopleHum HR system and Other ICT infrastructure
- Act as contract/SLA manager for system providers
- Ensure: System reliability, User issue resolution & Data integrity
Procurement Control (Financial Governance)
- Ensure all procurement follows:
- Budget approval
- Financial control processes
- Oversee Purchase Order (PO) creation and control through ERP
- Ensure spending discipline across departments
Reporting, Audit & Compliance
- Prepare monthly management accounts and reports
- Support quarterly and annual audits
- Ensure full audit readiness and zero major audit issues
- Provide financial insights to MD and BOD for decision-making
3. ROLE BOUNDARIES
The Head of Finance & Business Control:
- DOES:
- Control, validate, and report
- Challenge cost and margin assumptions
- Enforce financial discipline
- DOES NOT:
- Own revenue generation (Commercial)
- Run operations (Operations)
- Override strategic decisions (MD/BOD)
Minimum Education
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, Commerce, Business Administration (Accounting/Finance option), or a relevant field.
• Professional qualification, CPA/ACCA.
Experience:
- Finance leadership role (5+ years preferred)
- Experience in logistics, 3PL, or asset-heavy environments (advantage)
- Experience with ERP systems (Dynamics 365 or similar)