Principal Tax Advisor

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 – PRINCIPAL TAX ADVISOR
 
Responsible for compliant, effective, accurate and timely reporting of tax for management, regulatory and statutory purposes; providing advice to the business and driving value creation through interacting and communication of tax relevant aspects influencing decision making.
 
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: 16th July 2026
 
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:
 
Tax Accounting & Reporting

• Prepare and submit UK SCT/CT returns, and calculation of tax due or repayable;
• Maintain current and deferred tax balances, including PRT, for accounts purposes;
• Prepare/review of statutory accounts notes related to tax for all companies as well as Spirit Energy Consolidated accounts;
• Liaise with external auditors during the half-year review, year-end audit and the statutory accounts audit.
• Review function for tax input in business planning, budgeting and forecasting to ensure high quality and timely tax reporting of current and future activities, in line with Group guidelines;
• Ensure CT/EPL transactions are accounted for correctly in the system, including the group’s current and deferred tax positions and group relief.
• Assist and support in the preparation of VAT returns and technical review of VAT return prior to submission.
• Maintain an accurate VAT account in the system.

 
Governance & compliance

• Manage tax exposure and risks, ensure compliance with tax laws and the minimization of fines for non-compliance.
• Respond to information requests from the tax authorities and all other. communication with the tax authorities including appeals and mutual-agreement procedures following the applicable tax treaty.
• Engage with external advisors when required.

 
Support to other tax processes

• Provide relevant input for preparation of EITI, EUTD and other similar returns in an efficient manner.
• Assist and support Head of Tax on indirect taxes, group corporate tax planning, capital structure maintenance and M&A activities;
• Monitor, research, analyse and interpret changing tax or accounting rules and ensure that opportunities and risks are assessed;
• Provide ad hoc tax advice to the business.

 
Any other associated duties as reasonably required.
 
 
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role, we are looking for
 

• Knowledge of UK fiscal regimes and transfer pricing policies, tax accounting and compliance
• Experience with PRT and SCT/CT and VAT
• Expert knowledge of Tax & Treasury processes and how these link to other business processes
• Strong systems knowledge and strong focus on controls and integrity of accounting transactions
• Accounting qualification or qualified by relevant experience by working in an accounting role for several years;
• University degree or other higher education qualification, preferred but not essential

 
 
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.