Finance Manager

Location: Lagos, Nigeria (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports To: CEO / Founder

ABOUT CARPE DIEM SOLUTIONS

Carpe Diem Solutions is a strategic communications and public relations agency based in Lagos, Nigeria. We serve institutional clients across FMCG, financial services, entertainment, and the public sector, delivering work that is sharp in its thinking, beautiful in its execution, and built to earn lasting trust.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

The Finance Manager is responsible for the agency’s financial health and operational discipline.

You will own the full cycle of financial management, from invoicing and collections through to payroll, tax compliance, management reporting, and cash flow planning.

In a growing services business, financial clarity is not a back-office function. It is what allows the team to focus on the work, leadership to make sound decisions, and the agency to honour its commitments to clients, employees, and partners.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Operations & Bookkeeping

• Manage day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and bank reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date books using the agency’s accounting software (currently Zoho Books), ensuring all transactions are properly classified against the Chart of Accounts.
• Process and track client invoices, following up on outstanding receivables to maintain healthy cash flow.
• Prepare and process monthly payroll, including salary payments, statutory deductions (PAYE, Pension, etc.), and contractor payments.
• Maintain a clean receivables and payables ledger with clear ageing reports.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management accounts, including:

o Profit & Loss Statements, Balance Sheets & Cash Flow Statements

• Produce monthly overhead and revenue requirement schedules to support operational planning.
• Track revenue by client and service line, distinguishing between earned fees and pass-through costs.
• Provide financial analysis to support:

o Pricing decisions, Client profitability reviews & Resource allocation

• Prepare quarterly and annual financial reports for leadership review and board reporting.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management

• Manage cash flow planning and forecasting, ensuring the agency can meet its financial obligations on time.
• Implement and maintain a structured cash allocation framework across:

o Operating accounts, Tax accounts, Payroll accounts & Reserve accounts

• Monitor and flag potential cash flow risks in advance and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage petty cash and expense reimbursement processes.

Tax & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure timely filing and remittance of all statutory obligations, including:

o Value Added Tax (VAT), Withholding Tax (WHT), Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), Pension Contributions & Company Income Tax

• Liaise with external auditors and tax advisors to ensure full compliance with Nigerian tax laws and CAMA 2020 requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation and records for all tax filings and regulatory submissions.
• Stay current with changes in Nigerian tax legislation and advise leadership on their impact on agency operations.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Support the CEO in preparing annual budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Track actual performance against budget and provide variance analysis with clear explanations.
• Contribute to financial modelling for:

o New business opportunities, Pricing proposals & Investment decisions

• Provide financial input into operational decisions, including:

o Hiring, Vendor contracts & Capital expenditure

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and improve financial systems, ensuring data integrity and efficient workflows.
• Document financial processes and procedures to ensure continuity and reduce key-person risk.
• Identify opportunities to automate or streamline routine financial tasks.
• Support the Operations Manager on vendor management, contract tracking, and procurement processes where financial input is required.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ICAN, ACCA or Equivalent recognised qualification
• Minimum of three (3) years’ hands-on experience in financial management, preferably within a services, agency, or professional services environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Nigerian tax laws, including VAT, WHT, PAYE, Pension Compliance, CAMA 2020
• Proficiency with accounting software such as Zoho Books (preferred), QuickBooks, Xero, Sage
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including, Financial modelling, Pivot tables, Scenario analysis
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive financial information.