Principal Accountant

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT? Thriving in today’s evolving energy landscape means constantly exploring smarter, more effective ways of working. At Spirit Energy, we actively welcome fresh ideas and believe every voice across our teams matters. Our values shape everything we do—creating an environment where people have the space to succeed and the support to continue growing. Development is built into our culture, offering opportunities that strengthen both our colleagues and the projects we deliver.

The Principal Accountant is responsible for the successful delivery of all month-end, interim, and year-end financial close processes including impairment and decommissioning; support Corporate Accounting processes in the preparation and delivery of statutory accounts, ensuring compliance with relevant standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP) and oversee and maintain controlled SAP master data changes and enhancements (e.g., WBS structures, hierarchies, profit and cost centres).

Duration:
This is a maternity cover role required 1st October to 30th June 2027

Location:

Aberdeen PAYE

Contract Rate:
Please confirm expectations with application

Closing Date for Applications: 11th Sept 2026

Spirit Energy currently have a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement for all office-based workers (Aberdeen and Barrow).

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.

In role, you will be accountable for:

• Financial Close & Reporting Accountability
  :
  Lead and deliver the successful completion of all month-end, interim, and year-end deliverables.
• Audit Delivery & External Relationships
  :
  Deliver clear and efficient year-end and interim audits. Support Corporate Accounting in preparing the statutory accounts in line with relevant requirements (IFRS and GAAP). Build and manage relationships with external auditors.
• SAP Master Data Oversight
  :
  Oversee relevant and controlled SAP master data changes (e.g., WBS, hierarchies, profit/cost centres) to support business operations.
• Accounting Process Improvement
  :
  Lead continual improvements in key accounting processes, including Impairment, Annual Decommissioning Reviews, and Revenue Accounting. Work with the Controls function to implement findings from internal and external audits.
• Advisory on Significant Accounting Matters
  :
  Act as an advisor on significant or one-off accounting and reporting matters (e.g., acquisitions, disposals, legal entity changes), ensuring they are reflected correctly in systems and processes are completed to conclusion.
• Financial Systems & Data Management
  :
  Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for system changes.
• Specialized Financial Processes
  :
  Lead the impairment assessment process (half-year and year-end), including:
  • Provide economic assumptions and data inputs
  • Build and run valuation models (asset values and goodwill)
  • Collaborate with Tax to ensure accurate portfolio tax modelling
  • Review and challenge key assumptions and inputs
  • Prepare analysis and supporting audit requirements
  • Support the annual Decommissioning Review process

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Strong all-round financial and technical accounting skills & knowledge.
• Strong Excel capability – experience of building/improving models.
• Strong SAP ERP, BW & BPC knowledge.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to provide check and challenge to the business in their decision making in an effective and constructive manner.
• Excellent coaching and knowledge transfer skills – can deliver through others.

Qualified accountant (ACA, CA, ACCA, CIMA) with relevant University degree.

In addition to technical knowledge and credibility, we are searching for a someone who lives our values of Agility, Collaboration, Courage, Care and Delivery, enables and supports change and brings fresh and dynamic thinking.

We are a truly pioneering energy transition company with a portfolio and ambitions that span the breadth of the energy transition. We’re continuing to break new ground, collaborating and thinking differently. We’re proud of our heritage. With more than 30 years of production, we’re maximising the potential of our existing assets and substantial gas reserves in the UK and Netherlands. Above all, we live by our commitment to safety in everything we do.

Our portfolio is predominantly gas (96%), providing vital, primary energy to fuel our homes and businesses in the UK and Europe.

Our strategy is focused on:

• Safely delivering production from our existing assets;
• Meeting and de-risking our decommissioning obligations, and
• Exploring strategic energy transition opportunities from our existing assets.