Director of Finance and Accounting

About the role

An established international trading company with operations in Turkey and international markets is seeking an experienced Director of Finance and Accounting in Istanbul. The role reports directly to the CEO (Turkey) and works closely with the Group CFO structure and the Dubai entity. It is described as a leadership function focused on speed of financial decision-making, not a control or audit function.

Key responsibilities

• Present the full financial picture (P&L, balance sheet, cash position, working capital) to senior leadership and act as the financial counterpart to the commercial team
• Lead annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting with a forward-looking, scenario-based approach
• Structure and manage trade finance instruments such as letters of credit, guarantees, performance bonds, standby LCs, documentary collections and supplier financing, and build banking relationships
• Manage FX exposure across TRY, USD and EUR and identify new financial instruments as the business grows
• Own the financial risk framework (counterparty credit, commodity prices, FX, concentration, working capital), set credit limits and payment terms, and build a real-time risk dashboard
• Lead financial feasibility and return analysis for new products, trade corridors and investments, and evaluate working capital needs for growth
• Lead the accounting team, ensure accurate month-end, year-end and statutory reporting, oversee tax compliance and the relationship with external auditors
• Drive the ERP/accounting system implementation, including the Dynamics 365 rollout
• Own daily and weekly cash position and actively manage the working capital cycle

Required profile

• 10-15 years of progressive finance experience, ideally in commodity trading, food and agri business or international trade
• Comfortable leading a finance team without micromanaging, calm under pressure and commercially literate
• Fluent in Turkish; strong working English

Required skills

• Deep practical knowledge of trade finance instruments (LCs, guarantees, documentary collections)
• FX risk management across TRY, USD and EUR
• Strong financial modelling capability
• Working knowledge of Turkish tax and corporate law; IFRS and international experience is an advantage
• ERP experience; Dynamics 365 / Business Central is a plus