What’s in it for you?
This is a high-impact role sitting in the group Finance team, giving you ownership of a complex and fast-growing energy portfolio within Fern Group. You’ll combine technical accounting expertise with commercial insight, working closely with investment teams, business leads and external partners.

You’ll lead on strategically important areas of the business, while managing and developing a one person and shaping how finance supports decision-making.

The team
You’ll be part of a team of eight people, reporting into the Financial Controller. You’ll manage 1 direct report and work closely with a wide network of internal stakeholders and external finance teams supporting a large and evolving portfolio.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop a deep understanding of Octopus Inheritance Tax Products (OITS), including portfolio companies and their commercial operations
• Own financial oversight of the Energy division within Fern Group (c.250 entities), working with multiple external finance teams
• Oversee the delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual management reporting
• Manage energy cashflow, including the revolving credit facility (RCF), lender relationships and bi-annual covenant reporting
• Lead the audit process and delivery of statutory financial statements, working with auditors, tax teams and external providers
• Partner with business leads across Fern and Octopus to support decision-making and advise on key transactions
• Own the budgeting process for the energy division, reviewing and challenging assumptions across multiple entities
• Research and advise on technical accounting matters, including new standards and policy changes
• Oversee group structure management, including entity rationalisation, strike-offs and liquidations

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
✔️ 3 years+ PQE (ACA or ACCA)
✔️ A background in audit or financial services, with strong technical accounting knowledge
✔️ Experience managing and developing both qualified and part-qualified accountants
✔️ Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge effectively
✔️ High attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams
✔️ A collaborative mindset and willingness to work cross-functionally
✔️ The ability to think commercially and identify opportunities to improve processes and outcomes

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick every box. What’s the worst that can happen?

This role will evolve as we grow and develop. So, if you’re looking for a challenge in a fast-paced and dynamic business, we can deliver on that.

Our Values 
At our core, we believe that how a company behaves is just as important as what it does. That’s why we chose to become an accredited B Corp (the equivalent of a Fairtrade coffee stamp but for companies) and to change our Articles of Association so that the interests all our stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, environment and shareholders – are considered in every decision we make.  

We are committed to building a workplace where diversity is valued, and inclusion is a priority. By providing equal opportunities for growth and development, we embrace and celebrate all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe teams achieve their best when every member feels safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.

We're proud to be disability confident and are committed to supporting candidates with a disability, including neurodiversity and mental health conditions, throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to opt-in to the disability confident scheme as part of our application process. If you require any adjustments to the interview process, we’ll be happy to accommodate where possible.