Financial Controller

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT?
 
Succeeding in today’s energy landscape requires collaboration, agility and the courage to challenge established ways of working. At Spirit Energy, we are redefining what good looks like in mature basin operations — focusing on safe, responsible asset stewardship, value maximisation and the delivery of an orderly energy transition.
 
Achieving this requires a broad mix of skills, experience and perspectives. Our people are central to how we operate — bringing curiosity, accountability and pragmatism to complex technical and commercial challenges. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with a forward‑thinking team committed to doing things better and differently, we would like to hear from you.
 
THE OPPORTUNITY – FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
 
Responsible for leading financial accounting, statutory reporting, and audit processes while maintaining robust financial controls and governance, managing working capital and tax compliance, supporting consolidation activities, and delivering clear financial insights to stakeholders including the Audit Committee.
 
Location: Aberdeen
Duration: 2-year contract
Contract Type: PAYE
Day Rate: TBC - For your application to be progressed, please ensure you provide a PAYE day rate banding expectation. 
 

• Please only apply if you have existing right-to-work in the UK.
• Please outline notice period/availability to start.

 
Closing Date for Applications:
 
Spirit Energy currently have a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement for all office-based workers. 4 days must be worked in the office with compulsory days being Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The fourth day worked in-office (either Monday or Friday) is of the worker’s choosing but should be in keeping with what is most efficient and effective for their team. The office is open 5 days a week for full time, in-office working if this is the contractor’s preference.  
 
 
AND NOW FOR THE TECHNICAL BIT…
In role, you will be required to:
 
Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the accounting team, driving performance and capability
• Provide financial insight and updates to the Audit Committee to support decision-making
• Oversee delivery of financial accounting, ensuring accurate application of accounting standards and policies
• Ensure full compliance with legislation, agreements, and company standards

 
Financial Close & Reporting

• Oversee the month-end, half-year and year-end close process, including:
• Joint Venture (JV) accounting, A&R and consolidation.
• Integrity reviews with stakeholders
• Delivery of P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reporting
• Completion of monthly financial controls
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting across all areas

 
Audit & Statutory Reporting

• Own all statutory and regulatory reporting, including audit coordination and shareholder reporting
• Deliver all financial accounting, including judgments and application of accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP)
• Ensure balance sheet integrity and high-quality financial reporting
• Provide financial reporting to shareholders under IFRS and German GAAP
• Oversee and coordinate statutory audits, half-year and year-end judgment papers, and audit issue logs
• Review statutory accounts
• Support the Group Annual Report process, including tax disclosure coordination

 
Working Capital & Tax

• Manage and optimise working capital including inventory, JV billings, accounts receivable/payable
• Ensure proper G&A allocation following international tax regulations and JV agreements
• Support tax compliance, planning, and monthly tax entries

 
Consolidation & Legal Entity Management

• Oversee consolidation of financials, including intercompany and investment eliminations
• Manage statutory playback to align SAP data with statutory accounts
• Support IFRS16 accounting and ERP+BPC reconciliation for system alignment

 
Financial Controls & Governance

• Ensure a robust financial controls framework aligned with shareholder requirements is managed and maintained
• Ensure balance sheet integrity, financial controls, and data governance through adherence to the company’s control framework

 
Financial Systems & Data Management

• Own financial data governance and ensure integrity of financial information
• Drive continuous improvement in controls, focusing on efficiency and risk-based approaches
• Oversee SAP master data governance and improvements (e.g. WBS, cost centres, hierarchies)
• Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for system changes
• Ensure systems effectively support financial reporting and business needs

 
Other responsibilities

• Apply and manage the Spirit Energy Delegation of Authority (DOA) and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) frameworks
• Provide financial expertise and updates to the Audit Committee
• Interface with shareholder teams and support corporate accounting teams
• Provide advice on financial accounting matters
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with external auditors (e.g., Deloitte)
• Deputise for the Finance Director
• Any other associated duties as reasonably required

 
 
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role, we are looking for:
 

• Strong JV, financial and technical accounting skills & knowledge.
• Commercial acumen
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Significant experience in a senior accounting role in upstream Oil & Gas or a related industry
• Track record of managing and driving business control within an E&P company
• Qualified accountant (ACA, CA, ACCA, CIMA);
• Relevant University degree

 
 
In addition to technical knowledge and credibility, we are looking for someone who lives our values - Agility, Collaboration, Courage, Care, and Delivery. A person who embraces and supports change, while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a mature asset
 
 


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.