Student Housing Company - Proffering Accommodation solution to Higher institution students in Nigeria. We are into Construction and operations of the Hostels.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Internal Audit & Compliance Officer
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Job Purpose
Design, implement, and monitor internal control systems across construction projects and business operations. Therole focuses on preventingfinancial leakage, verifying material usage, enforcing procurement policies, and ensuring regulatory and contractual compliance.
It also involves recommending improvementsto management, collaboratingwith stakeholders to supportbusiness growth, identifyingcontrol deficiencies, and promoting a culture of accountability and integrity.
Key Responsibilities Site Operations & Material Controls:
Material vs. Bill of Quantities (BOQ):Audit site fuel, cement, steel, sand, and aggregate consumption against approved engineering BOQs to detect shortages, waste, or pilferage.
Physical Stock Counts:Conduct regular unannounced physical inventory counts at central warehouses and active project sites.
Equipment & Asset Tracking:Maintain and verify the Fixed Assets Register (plant, machinery, and tools) and monitor equipment maintenance logs and diesel/fuel utilization.
Procurement & Subcontractor Management:
Vendor & Subcontractor Vetting:Review new vendor/subcontractor onboarding, background checks, and contract pricing alignment.
Site Purchases (Petty Cash/LPOs):Audit local site purchase orders, delivery notes, and goods received notes (GRNs) to ensure proper three-way matching (Invoice vs. PO vs. GRN).
Variation Orders:Review project variation orders, extra work claims, and subcontractor interim payment certificates (IPCs) for accuracy and proper authorization.
Stake Holder management:Liaise with external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders during audits and inspections.
Financial & Payroll Controls:
Payroll Verification:Audit site labor payroll, daily-rated worker attendance, overtime claims, and subcontractor labor headcounts to prevent "ghost workers".
Expense Management:Review site petty cash reconciliations, travel advances, and operational float expenditures.
Compliance, Risk & Reporting: Policy Designing:
Develop and implement internal control frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Evaluate the design and effectiveness of internal controls, including segregation of duties, access controls, and authorization processes.
Policy Review:
Stay abreast of changes in regulations, laws, and industry standards related to internal controls and risk management.
Perform internal audits, reviews, and testing procedures to assess the reliability and accuracy of financial and operational information
Review and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for site logistics, storekeeping, and finance.
Analyze data and trends to identify emerging risks and areas for improvement in internal control processes.
Policy Implementation & Enforcement:
Monitor compliance with internal policies, procedures, and ethical standards, investigating and addressing violations as necessary.
Monitor and track remediation efforts and action plans to address audit findings and control weaknesses.
Provide training and guidance to employees on internal control principles, policies, and procedures.
Contribute to the development and implementation of risk management strategies and initiatives to enhance organizational resilience and sustainability.
Segregation of Duties:
Ensure proper separation between those who request materials, those who approve purchases, and those who receive goods on site.
Collaborate with departmental managers and process owners to address control deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
Participate in cross-functional teams and committees to support organizational initiatives and projects.
Fraud Investigations:
Investigate anomalies, whistleblowing reports, or inventory discrepancies on sites and submit findings to management.
Conduct risk assessments and internal control reviews to identify areas of potential risk, fraud, or non-compliance.
Conduct investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, or irregularities, and recommend appropriate actions and preventive measures.
Audit Documentation & Reporting:
Document audit findings, observations, and recommendations in audit reports, and communicate results to management and stakeholders.
Prepare monthly internal control exception reports and track the remediation of audit findings with project managers.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Experience: 3 to 5 years of internal control, auditingor risk management rolesor financial compliance experience, ideally within the construction, engineering, or manufacturingsector.
Knowledge:
Strong knowledge of construction accounting, BOQs, and inventory management.
Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Sage, or QuickBooks) and advanced Excel.
Strong understanding of internal control principles, practices, and frameworks (e.g., COSO, SOX).
Certifications:
Professional qualification or progress toward ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA or CPA is an added advantage.
Required Skills:
Internal auditing- Knowledge of auditing standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Attention to detail - Attention to detail and accuracy in auditing and documentation
Communication skills- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels
Analytical abilities- Analytical and critical thinking skills to assess risks and evaluate control effectiveness
Good use of auditing applications - Proficiency in audit tools and software, as well as Microsoft Office suite.
Collaboration - Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Ethics and integrity- Integrity, professionalism, and ethical behavior in handling sensitive information and investigations
Problem-solving skills – Ability to decipher a problem and recommend resolutions to keep the business profitable
Risk assessment-Compliance management- Ability to draw up framework that ensures compliance to processes
Investigation skills- Intuitive and investigation ability into processes and complaints for appropriate escalations and resolution.