Group Financial Controller

About the team: 

At Aspire, Finance plays a strategic role in driving our business forward. Our Finance team consists of a wide range of crucial functions across 4 verticals: (i) Traditional Finance with Accounting, Tax, Reporting, (ii) Treasury, which is a core function for a Fintech, (iii) Data including Business Intelligence, Data Analytics and Data Engineering and (iv) Strategy & Planning, which covers strategic road map, long term planning, fundraising and FP&A. Our Finance team engages in frequent strategic data analysis, research, and modeling to provide the best financial insights for critical business decisions, helping Aspire navigate the competitive landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The team also plays a key part as the first user of our Aspire software, pioneer in Finance transformation, reengineering our internal process to stay agile while maintaining the internal control in a hyper fast growing environment.

About the role:

At Aspire, we pride ourselves on building an amazing team. We require a Group Financial Controller to join our very talented lineup, as we continue to build up this function.

Reporting to the CFO, the Group Financial Controller will be responsible for Aspire Group’s Accounting, Finance Operations and Financial Systems. You’ll partner with leadership to provide insights, information, and guidance to make strategic and operational decisions and ensure the company is financially healthy and consistently meeting our reporting obligations. 

Responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with local standards, Group policies in IFRS and regulatory requirements

• Own and drive Group month end close process and enable accurate and efficient financial results and reporting within tight deadlines

• Build and grow cross-functional relationships to collaboratively work together to resolve month end issues, build new financial process relating to launch of new products and solve process efficiencies

• Set up new entities, review consolidated financial statements and provide guidance to the team in all aspects of accounting

• Evaluate and continually improve accounting procedures, processes and systems to ensure standardized close process and efficient operations across the Group

• Spearhead complex system implementations

• Manage the relationship with auditors, direct and participate in the preparation of all the workpapers for the audit on a timely basis including all memos for any relevant areas

• Build and evolve upon our existing internal controls, financial systems and processes to ensure accuracy of financial reporting, integrity of corporate data, finance governance compliance and the safeguarding of assets

• Offer advice on group restructuring, efficient group structure, valuation, and key accounting considerations

• Provide accounting advisory to align business objectives and support new market entry and investments

• Work closely with the Tax team to review Group tax filings and returns (e.g., withholding tax, VAT, annual tax returns)

• Coach finance teams on technical aspects (e.g., accounting updates, ESG) and the quality of financial reporting and tax

Minimum qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics or equivalent 

• At least 10 years of working experience in Financial Services, Fintech or Credit businesses 

• Experience in managing and leading a global/ regional accounting team

• Experience building processes and controls to ensure Aspire scales effectively towards an IPO

• Proven team player with strong interpersonal skills, hands on and able to work independently while managing multiple projects/assignments

Preferred qualifications: 

• CA/CPA qualification or equivalent

• Experience working in one of the Big 4 firms 

• Strong experience in financial system implementation

• Strong proficiency in all aspects of corporate accounting and all pertinent GAAP, rules and regulations