Head of Internal Control & Audit

Head of Internal Control & Audit

Industry: Healthcare
Location: Abuja( Gwarinpa ) or Lagos(V.I), Nigeria
Level: Senior Management
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: ₦800,000 – ₦1,200,000 per month (Negotiable based on experience)
Experience: 8–12 Years

Job Summary

Our client, a leading and rapidly expanding healthcare organization with operations across multiple locations in Nigeria, is seeking an experienced Head of Internal Control & Audit to provide strategic leadership for the organization's internal control, risk management, governance, and audit functions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and strengthening internal control systems that safeguard the organization's assets, ensure financial integrity, promote regulatory compliance, and improve operational efficiency across all business locations. The role requires a highly analytical and ethical finance professional with extensive experience in healthcare financial audits, multi-site operations, and enterprise risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Control & Governance

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the organization's internal control framework.

• Establish policies and procedures that promote accountability, transparency, and sound financial governance.

• Ensure strict compliance with internal policies, financial regulations, statutory requirements, and healthcare industry standards.

• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of existing internal controls and recommend improvements.

• Promote a strong culture of compliance and accountability across all business units.

Internal Audit

• Develop and execute annual risk-based internal audit plans covering all departments and business locations.

• Conduct financial, operational, compliance, and systems audits.

• Review the effectiveness of operational processes and recommend corrective actions.

• Prepare comprehensive audit reports with practical recommendations for management.

• Follow up on audit findings to ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.

Financial Control & Funds Management

• Maintain accountability for all organizational assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenditures.

• Monitor all financial transactions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with approved policies.

• Ensure every inflow and outflow of funds is properly authorized, documented, and supported by approved evidence.

• Review payment processes to ensure expenditures are made strictly for approved purposes.

• Monitor cash management, banking activities, and financial reconciliations.

Multi-Location Oversight

• Oversee internal control and audit activities across multiple healthcare facilities and business locations.

• Conduct periodic branch audits to ensure operational and financial consistency.

• Monitor compliance with corporate policies across all locations.

• Standardize internal control processes throughout the Group.

Risk Management

• Identify financial, operational, compliance, and strategic risks.

• Develop mitigation strategies and monitor risk exposure.

• Support the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks.

• Report emerging risks and recommend preventive measures.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with applicable tax laws, financial reporting standards, healthcare regulations, and corporate governance requirements.

• Coordinate internal and external audit activities.

• Liaise with regulatory authorities and external auditors where required.

• Ensure prompt resolution of audit queries and regulatory observations.

Asset Management

• Maintain effective controls over fixed assets and inventory.

• Conduct periodic asset verification and stock audits.

• Monitor asset utilization and safeguard organizational resources.

• Investigate discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor the Internal Control and Audit team.

• Build strong working relationships with finance, operations, procurement, HR, and executive management.

• Present audit findings and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board Audit Committee.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

• Master's Degree (MBA, MSc Finance, Accounting, or related field) is an added advantage.

• Professional certification is mandatory:

  • ICAN

  • ACA

  • ACCA

• Additional certifications such as CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CISA, CRMA, or CPA will be an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive experience in Internal Audit, Internal Control, Risk Management, or Financial Compliance.

• Demonstrable experience in healthcare financial audit and internal control .

• Experience managing audit and control functions across multiple business locations.

• Strong experience in financial governance and corporate compliance.

• Proven experience safeguarding organizational assets and liabilities.

• Extensive knowledge of funds management, approval workflows, and financial accountability.

• Experience implementing internal control frameworks and risk management systems.

• Previous experience leading audit teams within a large healthcare group or multi-site organization.

Core Competencies

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Leadership

• Corporate Governance

• Decision-Making

• Team Leadership & Coaching

• Stakeholder Management

• Change Management

Technical Competencies

• Internal Audit

• Internal Control Frameworks

• Financial Audit

• Risk Management

• Corporate Governance

• Financial Reporting

• Budgetary Control

• Asset Management

• Fraud Detection & Prevention

• Compliance Monitoring

• Healthcare Financial Operations

• Policy Development & Enforcement

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

Behavioural Competencies

• High Integrity and Professional Ethics

• Strong Analytical Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Attention to Detail

• Excellent Communication Skills

• Problem-Solving Ability

• Objectivity and Independence

• Confidentiality

• Results-Oriented Mindset

• Strong Organizational Skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Effectiveness of Internal Control Systems

• Audit Completion Rate

• Compliance with Internal Policies

• Reduction in Financial Risks and Control Breaches

• Asset Accountability and Protection

• Timely Closure of Audit Findings

• Regulatory Compliance Score

• Fraud Prevention and Detection Effectiveness

• Financial Process Improvement

• Quality of Audit Reports and Recommendations

Why Join Our Client?

• Join one of Nigeria's leading and expanding healthcare organizations.

• Opportunity to lead enterprise-wide governance, audit, and internal control functions.

• Competitive executive remuneration package.

• Exposure to strategic leadership and multi-location healthcare operations.

• Professional growth within a dynamic and high-performing executive team.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV to Show email using "Head of Internal Control & Audit – Abuja/Lagos" as the subject of the email.