Professional Role – Director Of Finance

About the job

Position Title: Director of Finance

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports To: Managing Director (MD)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Employment Type: Full-time

About Daye Bensa Business:

Daye Bensa Business PLC is a leading Ethiopian agribusiness company specializing in the production, processing, and export of premium specialty coffee. With vertically integrated operations and a strong global market presence, the company is committed to quality excellence, sustainability, and value creation across the coffee supply chain.

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director of Finance to lead the company’s financial planning, management, and governance functions. The role will support sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and compliance with regulatory requirements across all business units.

The successful candidate will serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership, ensuring sound financial decision-making and long-term value creation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide consolidated financial oversight and reporting across a portfolio of businesses spanning export, manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors.
• Align financial systems and governance structures to support multi-sector growth and group-level efficiency.
• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy aligned with export business goals.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Manage export-related financial operations, including Letters of Credit (LC), bank relationships, and international payments.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial, tax, trade, and export regulations.
• Monitor and optimize cash flow, cost control, profitability, and capital allocation.
• Prepare and present accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Lead annual audits and coordinate with external auditors, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies.
• Provide strategic financial advice to support pricing, market expansion, and investment decisions.
• Recruit, lead, and mentor the finance and accounting team to high performance.

Compliance & Regulatory Requirements:

The Director of Finance will be expected to ensure compliance with (but not limited to) the following in Ethiopia:

Tax Compliance

Corporate Income Tax (CIT) regulations, Withholding taxes (on services, royalties, etc.), Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration, collection, remittance, Personal Income Tax regulations for employees

Customs & Export Regulations

Ethiopian Customs Authority regulations for export documentation, Export permits/licenses, phytosanitary or quality certificates (if applicable), Compliance with foreign currency repatriation and export proceeds regulations

Accounting Standards & Reporting

Ethiopian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or IFRS (as required), Timely preparation of financial statements

Audit & Assurance

Statutory audits (annual audit by licensed external auditors), Filing of audited financial statements with regulatory authorities (e.g., Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, or whichever agencies required)

Regulatory Bodies & Licensing

Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority (ERCA), Authority for the regulation of exports and trade agencies

Corporate Governance & Internal Controls

Fraud prevention, risk management, internal control systems, Policies for ethics, anti-corruption, compliance

Banking & Financial Institutions’ Requirements

Maintaining relationships and compliance with commercial banks and export-credit agencies, Ensuring compliance with banking rules on foreign currency, letters of credit, guarantees

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration.
• CPA, ACCA, or equivalent professional finance/accounting certification strongly preferred.
• At least 10/9 years of progressive finance experience, with a minimum of 4/5 years in a senior management role.
• Experience in retail, production, or export finance is highly desirable.
• Direct experience with export finance, especially in the coffee or agricultural commodities sector.
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopia’s tax laws, customs/export regulations, foreign exchange laws, and trade compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, financial management software, and advanced reporting tools.