Principal Accountant

Orion Group; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group seeks a Principal Accountant for an Oil & Gas Operator client in Aberdeen. The role focuses on delivering month-end, interim and year-end closes, impairment, and decommissioning calculations, within IFRS/GAAP compliance. Hybrid working with a 4/1 pattern is offered.

The ideal candidate has substantial oil & gas experience, SAP master data oversight, and strong financial modelling skills. Based in the Aberdeen area, you will work with cross-functional teams and external auditors.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with IFRS/GAAP knowledge and relevant professional credentials.
• Experience delivering month-end, interim and year-end closes in oil & gas.
• Background working with SAP master data, WBS structures and cost centres.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, interim and year-end close processes including impairment and decommissioning.
• Support statutory accounts delivery under IFRS/GAAP and manage audits.
• Oversee SAP master data changes to support operations.
• Drive continuous improvements in accounting processes and controls.
• Advise on complex accounting matters and financial reporting requirements.

Skills

IFRS & GAAP knowledge

Excel modelling

SAP BW BPC

Analytical thinking

Audit liaison

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/CA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

SAP ERP

BW

BPC

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Accountant to support our Oil & Gas Operator client based in Aberdeen.

This is a 12 month PAYE Maternity contract role, working on a 4/1 hybrid.

What are we seeking

We are looking for an experienced oil & gas accountant to support our Oil & Gas operator client based in the centre of Aberdeen.

You will have a background in the oil & gas sector, ideally within an Operator.

Ideally you will already be based in the Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire area.

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)

Accountabilities Key Role Deliverables Financial Close & Reporting Accountability Lead

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 Any other associated duties as reasonably required

Competence & Qualifications Technical Skills

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. Qualifications: Qualified accountant (ACA, CA, ACCA, CIMA); Relevant University degree.

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