Financial Controller - BESS

Climate17; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy organisation is looking for a Financial Controller to oversee financial governance across international projects, particularly in Europe. This role involves ensuring accuracy in financial reporting, managing project finances, and collaborating with various teams to mitigate risks. The ideal candidate will be a fully qualified accountant with significant experience managing customer projects and a strong command of analytical skills. This position offers an opportunity to work in the renewable energy sector, with some required European travel.

Qualifications

• Proven experience financially controlling external customer projects.
• International exposure, ideally across European markets.
• Experience with risk management advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the accuracy of cost and pricing calculations.
• Prepare commercial documentation for project reviews.
• Monitor subcontractor/partner performance via cost reviews.

Skills

Financial controlling

Accounting

Reporting

Budgeting

Analytical skills

Communication

Risk management

Project management

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Financial Controller – BESS

Location: UK Home based (with some European travel as required and London HQ)

About the Role

A fast-scaling renewable energy organisation is seeking a Financial Controller to take ownership of financial governance across a portfolio of international projects- particularly within Europe. This is a hands‑on, senior position with strong visibility across the business and close collaboration with commercial, project and executive teams.

You’ll be the subject matter expert for project finances, accounting accuracy, compliance, risk oversight and stakeholder management across complex, multi-country operations.

Key Responsibilities

Management of Project Finances

• Ensure the accuracy of cost and pricing calculations.
• Maintain precise project financials, ensuring accurate recording and reporting across internal systems.
• Attend commercial project status meetings; update forecasts and cost monitors.
• Prepare commercial documentation for project reviews (e.g., forecasts, cash flow).
• Lead project invoicing aligned to progress and contract terms, ensuring correct payment allocation.
• Oversee timely applications for payment from customers.
• Ensure compliance with FRG standards and local GAAP.
• Support identification and reporting of non-conformance costs.

Risk & Claim Management

• Assess, monitor and report on financial and commercial risks (tax, currency, insurances, pricing, etc.).
• Escalate issues where appropriate.

Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with relevant tax regulations (e.g., tax returns, transfer pricing, delegation concepts).
• Oversee adherence to export control, hedging/currency, and banking requirements (including petty cash if relevant).
• Ensure accuracy in revenue recognition, internal controls, and evaluation of risks/opportunities.
• For cross-border projects: align contract structures with tax requirements; manage documentation.

Collaboration

• Represent finance in internal and external project meetings.
• Build strong working relationships across project teams and the wider business.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective communication with Contract Management, Project Management and all corporate functions (e.g., Tax, Treasury, Legal, HR, Compliance).
• Coordinate financing, insurance, guarantees, and currency matters with relevant internal partners.
• Monitor subcontractor/partner performance via cost reviews.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience financially controlling external customer projects.
• Strong background in Accounting, Controlling, Reporting, Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting.
• International exposure, ideally across European markets.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent).
• High proficiency in MS Office.
• Analytical, process‑oriented and detail‑driven.
• Experience with risk management advantageous.
• Strong communicator, comfortable in multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Self‑organised, able to work to deadlines with high accuracy.
• Motivated to develop and progress within the sector.

About Us

Climate17 is a purpose‑led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector.

Inclusive Application Process

Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We believe there is no solution to climate change without people. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.