Finance Manager

Company OverviewForest Plateau Coffee Processing One Member Plc is an Ethiopia-incorporated enterprise established by foreign founders, specializing in sourcing, processing, and exporting premium Ethiopian coffee. The company is committed to operational excellence, financial transparency, and compliance with Ethiopian laws and international standards.Position PurposeThe Finance Manager will have end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, covering accounting, reporting, cash management, tax and statutory compliance, controls and financial planning.The role will work closely with management, Group Finance, farm and operational teams, banks, auditors, regulators and other external stakeholders.The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of the Ethiopian finance and tax environment, strong accounting and analytical skills, and the ability to establish effective finance processes and controls from the ground up. Experience in coffee or agriculture, and accounting for biological assets will be highly advantageous.Key ResponsibilitiesFinance Leadership & End-to-End Accounting

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance and accounting function of FPE.
• Manage and oversee the full accounting cycle, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, payroll, cash and banking transactions.
• Ensure all financial transactions are accurately recorded, properly supported and processed on a timely basis.
• Review accounting entries, invoices, payment documentation and other supporting records for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Perform and review balance sheet and other key account reconciliations and ensure reconciling items are promptly investigated and resolved.
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare and maintain accounting schedules, analyses and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accounting records are maintained in accordance with IFRS, Ethiopian requirements and Group accounting policies.
• Follow up on outstanding accounting issues and ensure timely resolution.
• Provide hands-on support to the finance team and take responsibility for key finance activities where required, particularly during periods of limited resources.

Financial Reporting & Management Information

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly and periodic financial reports for management and Group reporting.
• Analyse revenue, costs, margins, working capital, cash flow and other key financial indicators.
• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts and investigate significant variances.
• Prepare financial information and analysis to support management decision-making.
• Ensure reporting submitted to the Head of Finance and Group is complete, accurate and timely.
• Support preparation of board, management and shareholder reporting as required.
• Ensure appropriate financial information is available to support operational and strategic decisions.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Participate in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Develop and maintain cash-flow forecasts and monitor actual cash performance against forecasts.
• Work closely with operational teams to understand financial requirements and incorporate them into budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and highlight significant variances, risks and emerging funding requirements.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation and improved financial performance.

Cash Flow, Working Capital & Treasury

• Take responsibility for day-to-day cash management and liquidity monitoring.
• Prepare and maintain short-, medium- and longer-term cash-flow forecasts.
• Monitor working capital requirements, including supplier payments, customer collections, inventory commitments and operational funding needs.
• Identify potential cash-flow gaps early and escalate funding requirements to Head of Finance.
• Manage day-to-day banking transactions, including supplier payments, transfers and other approved payments.
• Prepare and review payment instructions and ensure appropriate supporting documentation and approvals are obtained before payments are released.
• Maintain appropriate controls over bank accounts and online banking platforms.
• Perform regular bank reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Liaise with banks on account administration, transaction queries, signatories, facilities and other banking matters.
• Support the company in obtaining and managing appropriate banking, trade finance, working capital and other funding facilities where required.
• Monitor foreign currency transactions, exposures and related accounting requirements.

Accounts Payable, Receivables & Supplier Management

• Establish and maintain effective accounts payable and receivable processes.
• Review supplier invoices, statements and supporting documentation before payment.
• Ensure supplier accounts are reconciled, and outstanding balances are followed up regularly.
• Monitor supplier payment obligations against available cash and agreed payment terms.
• Monitor customer receivables and support timely collections.
• Maintain appropriate credit-control processes and reporting.
• Ensure all transactions are properly authorised and recorded in the accounting system.

Farm, Inventory & Operational Finance

• Oversee financial accounting for farm related operations.
• Coordinate closely with farm and operational teams to ensure expenditure is properly documented, approved, recorded and reconciled.
• Maintain accurate records relating to farm inputs, harvesting, processing, inventory and other operational costs.
• Monitor inventory movements and reconciliations and investigate significant variances.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for agricultural activities, including biological assets and related costs, in accordance with applicable IFRS requirements.
• Support costing and analysis of coffee production, processing and export activities.
• Analyse operational costs and identify opportunities for improved cost control and efficiency.
• Ensure information from farm sites and other operational locations is received accurately and on a timely basis.

Tax, Statutory & Regulatory Compliance

• Take ownership of the company's finance-related tax and statutory compliance requirements in Ethiopia.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely filing of VAT, withholding tax, payroll taxes, corporate income tax, pension and other applicable statutory returns.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation supporting all tax and statutory filings.
• Monitor changes in Ethiopian tax legislation and regulatory requirements and assess their impact on the business.
• Liaise with Ethiopian tax authorities and other regulatory institutions on finance and tax matters.
• Coordinate responses to tax audits, reviews, inspections and information requests.
• Ensure appropriate tax accounting and documentation is maintained.
• Support transfer pricing documentation and intercompany accounting requirements where applicable.
• Identify potential compliance risks and escalate significant matters to the Head of Finance.

Banking, Authorities & External Stakeholders

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with banks and financial institutions.
• Liaise with government authorities, tax authorities, regulators and other relevant institutions on finance-related matters.
• Coordinate routine interactions with external auditors, tax advisors and other professional service providers.

Internal Controls, Policies & Risk Management

• Establish, implement and maintain appropriate financial policies, procedures and internal controls for the business.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and approval controls are established as the organisation grows.
• Ensure expenditure, payments, procurement and other financial transactions comply with approved policies and authority limits.
• Identify control weaknesses, financial risks and process gaps and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Monitor compliance with Group finance policies and ensure consistent application across FPE.
• Continuously review processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and control.
• Support management in identifying and mitigating financial and operational risks.

Audit & Financial Assurance

• Coordinate internal and external audit processes and ensure audit requirements are addressed on a timely basis.
• Prepare or coordinate preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations and supporting documentation.
• Liaise with auditors on information requests and follow up on outstanding audit matters.
• Support resolution and implementation of audit recommendations.
• Ensure the company maintains appropriate records and documentation to support its financial reporting and statutory obligations.

ERP, Systems & Finance Processes

• Support the implementation, optimisation and effective use of the company's ERP and accounting systems.
• Establish appropriate finance processes and workflows as the business develops.
• Ensure transactions are accurately and consistently recorded in the relevant systems.
• Maintain an appropriate chart of accounts and financial reporting structure.
• Identify system and process gaps and recommend practical improvements.
• Support automation and digitisation of finance processes where appropriate.
• Ensure finance processes and systems are aligned with Group requirements.

Team Management & Development

• Lead, supervise and coordinate the finance team and any finance resources supporting FPE operations, including farm-based finance personnel.
• Allocate responsibilities appropriately and monitor completion of finance activities.
• Review work performed by finance staff and provide guidance on accounting procedures and company requirements.
• Establish clear accountability for finance processes and deliverables.
• Train, mentor and develop junior finance team members.
• Build a culture of accuracy, accountability, integrity and continuous improvement.
• As the business grows, support the development of an appropriately structured finance function.

Location: Addis Ababa, EthiopiaReporting To: Head of Finance – East AfricaTravel: Occasional travel to farm and operational sites, as required