SAP, Navision
BIHTER DOKGOZ
Finance Director
Istanbul,34
Summary
Senior finance executive with 20+ years of experience, including 14+ years in leadership roles across multinational corporations. Strong background in budgeting, treasury, controlling, accounting, IFRS / US GAAP reporting, ERP implementations, and strategic decision support. Results-driven team leader with strong analytical and business partnering capabilities.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Finance Director
Catoni Maritime (Deniz Isleri)
02.2025 - Current
- Leading the finance organization with a team of 16 professionals, covering accounting, controlling, treasury, and tax functions.
- Responsible for providing leadership, direction and management of the finance function across all entities.
- Facilitate strategic decision-making processes for senior management, including investments, expansions, and operational improvements.
- Managing group treasury and banking relationships; analysis and evaluation of the company's short and long-term financing needs based on cash flow.
- Lead monthly financial closing, consolidation, and reporting processes with timely and accurate presentation of financial statements in line with IFRS and local regulations.
- Analysis of revenue, contribution margin, and cost variances versus budget & forecast and support management with actionable insights for better decision-making.
- Lead the budgeting and forecasting process in alignment with business strategy and operational plans.
- Interact with operations and commercial teams for better Working Capital and CAPEX planning and investment decisions.
- Take an active role in M&A projects, including financial evaluation, structuring, and integration phases.
- Lead and coordinate due diligence processes (financial, tax, and operational) with internal teams and external advisors.
- Improve financial and operational processes, reporting structures, and internal controls across all entities.
- Encourage and lead ERP and IT-driven finance transformation projects to improve efficiency, transparency, and workflow effectiveness.
- Manage multi-country, multi-currency financial operations, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
- Established in 1846 by Mr Catoni, the group's origins are in Turkey, where for over a century the principal activity has been shipping. Catoni Maritime operates across 7 countries with 5 legal entities, providing maritime and logistics-related services in international markets.
Head of Finance / Coordinator
CLK Ipekyolu Lojistik A.S.
10.2019 - 01.2023
- Head of Finance is responsible for providing leadership, direction and management of the finance and accounting team.
- Facilitate the strategic decision-making process of the chairman and senior management team and take part in resolving any possible critical situation.
- Represent the company to professional and public institutions on related matters, and maintain public relations.
- Manage relations with credit, treasury and banking institutions; accordingly analyze and evaluate the company's short and long-term financing requirements as a result of cash flow evaluations.
- Lead monthly financial closure, consolidation, and reporting process with timely, accurate, and consistent presentation of company financial statements to the management team in Turkey.
- Analysis of sales, contribution margin and cost variances versus budget & forecast and support commercial teams and management with understanding of these variances for better decision-making.
- Lead the budget and forecast process according to company budget guidelines.
- Interact with Operations and Sales teams for better Working Capital and CAPEX planning and spending; take necessary financial decisions to prevent misleading ROCE percentages.
- Improve or pioneer necessary financial or non-financial processes, reports, and disclosures to steer the company in a better direction.
- Encourage IT-based accounting practices and workflow-related projects to be managed with the IT team and simplify business processes.
- CLK is a new member of Calik Holding Family, one of the conglomerates in Turkey with 1.5B USD turnover and over 14K headcounts. CLK has been developing unique business models in the fields of logistics, trade, and procurement for its customers.
General Accounting Manager
Goodyear Lastikleri T.A.S.
11.2017 - 09.2019
- General Accounting Manager leads the accounting and controlling teams in Istanbul and coordinates controlling, accounting, and tax-related matters with shared service teams in Bucharest and Manila.
- Organize and manage the accounting record of management data, draw up the balance sheet and report company results to Headquarters in terms of balance sheet results, work contracts, agency contracts and other agreements related to the company, while ensuring activities are performed in compliance with laws in force and global policies such as US GAAP, IFRS, and SOX controlling & compliance.
- Ensure the monthly closing report to Headquarters is in line with deadlines and procedures stated by Headquarters.
- Check the financial results of the company, identify variances to budget in order to address corrective actions, facilitate decision-making and resolve possible critical situations, while promoting simplification.
- Responsible for Accounts Payable-Receivable, Inventory Management, and Factory Accounting.
Financial Affairs Manager
Mann Hummel Filtre Ltd.
05.2016 - 10.2017
- Analyze the accuracy of financial records and compliance with local regulations and internal policies.
- Act as the main point of contact for internal and external audit as and when required.
- Manage credit and relations with treasury and banking institutions, with special focus on Working Capital optimization, mainly Accounts Receivable and Inventory, and assess short and long-term funding requirements accordingly.
- Identify potential financial risks and propose alternative solutions in line with the company's short and long-term strategy.
- Support the Finance Director in decision-making by providing monthly analysis regarding the main business drivers, reports and documentation related to sales activities, and legal compliance areas.
Finance Manager
Rockwool Insaat ve Yalitim Ltd.
08.2014 - 05.2016
- In charge of the group companies' reporting, accounting and tax departments in Bulgaria and Romania, reporting results to the parent company.
- Prepare accurate, relevant and timely P&L, BS, NWC and CF reports on monthly, quarterly and annual basis and perform financial analysis to reflect the status of the business accurately.
- Check the accuracy of NVO expenses (OPEX) against targets for all departments on a monthly basis.
- Participate in the budget process, produce regular budget reports containing recommendations to commercial management, and prepare the company's financial exhibits for budget reviews.
- Manage local accounting for Turkey and coordinate with tax advisors for all countries under responsibility.
- Responsible for treasury activities in Turkey.
- Coordinate monthly reporting package activities for HQ in a timely and accurate manner according to group rules.
Assistant Manager
Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC)
08.2010 - 07.2014
- Led a team for 15 projects (firms) operating in various sectors at TMAS (Tax Management and Accounting Services) department.
- Led ERP implementation and development projects (Navision, SAP).
- Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual management reporting packages in line with IFRS, Turkish or US GAAP and corporate guidelines while meeting strict reporting deadlines.
- Provided Tax Compliance Services such as control of general accounting records, review or submission of tax statements, and explanation of Turkish legislation in English to foreign customers.
Education
MBA -
Bogazici University
Istanbul 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Economy
Marmara University
Istanbul 04.2001 -
Super High School - undefined
Behcet Kemal Caglar
Istanbul01-2000
Skills
CPA (SMMM)
Registered Independent Auditor / KGK
ACCA Student (3 exams left)
Software
Certification
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
Timeline
Finance Director
Catoni Maritime (Deniz Isleri)
02.2025 - Current
Head of Finance / Coordinator
CLK Ipekyolu Lojistik A.S.
10.2019 - 01.2023
General Accounting Manager
Goodyear Lastikleri T.A.S.
11.2017 - 09.2019
Financial Affairs Manager
Mann Hummel Filtre Ltd.
05.2016 - 10.2017
Independent Auditor ( KGK)
05-2015
Finance Manager
Rockwool Insaat ve Yalitim Ltd.
08.2014 - 05.2016
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
05-2012
Assistant Manager
Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC)
08.2010 - 07.2014
MBA -
Bogazici University
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Economy
Marmara University
04.2001 -
Super High School - undefined
Behcet Kemal Caglar
PERSONAL DETAILS
- Date of Birth: 22 Aug 1982
- Nationality: Turkish
- Marital Status: Married
- Driving License: B Class