Financial Controller - Sustainable Cocoa Supply Chain

About the role

ECOM Cameroon is hiring its first finance leader to set up and run the finance function of a newly formed company that buys certified sustainable cocoa beans and exports them from Douala. The Financial Controller owns statutory setup, Cameroon tax, accounting and audit, supplier-financing controls and client sustainability reporting. The role covers transactional accounting, product control and management reporting, with the aim of improving the efficiency of the accounting function.

Key responsibilities

• Manage statutory setup, Cameroon tax, accounting and audit, supplier-financing controls and client sustainability reporting
• Manage transactional accounting, product control and management reporting
• Proactively improve the efficiency of the accounting function
• Deliver timely and accurate financial reports for all businesses in Douala

Required profile

• Degree in accounting or finance plus a professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, CPA, DEC/DESCF or equivalent)
• At least 8 years in finance, including 3+ as Financial Controller or head of finance in Cameroon or the CEMAC region, in commodities, agri-export, trading or processing
• Mandatory hands-on Cameroon tax work and company setup; proven track record of managing DGI and customs audits and reaching settlements
• Direct experience forming and registering a company in Cameroon (RCCM, NIU, DGE, CNPS) and setting up its bank accounts, accounting system and policies
• Fluent English and French, with high-quality written English and French
• Demonstrated integrity, having refused or escalated improper requests
• International experience working with global stakeholders and managing cross-border projects
• Desirable: cocoa, coffee or other commodity experience in Cameroon or West Africa; sustainability certification (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade) and EUDR traceability; FX hedging, trade finance or lender reporting; start-up in a regulated sector or audit background in a large organisation

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of Cameroon tax: corporate tax, VAT including export credit refunds, withholding, DSF filing, customs and transfer pricing
• Strong working knowledge of OHADA/SYSCOHADA and IFRS, group reporting packs and monthly close deadlines
• Advanced Excel and an ERP such as SAP, Sage or Microsoft Dynamics
• Supplier pre-finance, buying-station cash and stock controls, and export documentation