Financial Controller EMEA

About Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp specializes in the financing, development, and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy. Our team comprises of 1300 industry specialists, across 18 countries.

With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By being part of the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ on the world’s transition to a more sustainable future.

Whilst we have been established for over 10 years, we pride ourselves of our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By joining our team, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

Overview

The Financial Controller opportunity will require an individual who is a commercially savvy, qualified accountant (ACA, ACMA or ACCA) that is able to keep control of multiple accounting and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions across EMEA and capable of being a true Finance Business Partner with full responsibility for the integrity and reporting for their region.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Performance

• Responsible for the timely close of the accounting books for the relevant regions in EMEA, legal entities and the integrity of data contained in the financial records
• Provide accounting expertise, direction and guidance to the EMEA Finance Managers
• Prepare relevant inputs and manage liquidity for all development companies within EMEA
• Prepare, analyse and interpret financial information for reporting to senior management and Finance Director
• Provide informative interpretation and analysis of activities together with comparatives to budgets / forecasts
• Produce comprehensive financial and commercial information in an accurate and timely manner
• Ensure delivery in to Lightsource bp’s Performance Management Framework, including the collation, interpretation, analysis and reporting of organizational key performance indicators
• Act as the key bridge between the London HQ and the Finance Managers and Senior Finance Managers in EMEA, swiftly communicating any changes or developments, ensuring that both the Regional Finance Director and the Country teams are fully abreast at any time of significant events

Financial Compliance & Control

• Support the Regional Finance Director in the roll out of new accounting processes, systems and SOX-compliant protocols across the different countries within EMEA
• Focus on continuous improvements and drive recommendations for, and implementation of, changes in financial processes / controls / policy / direction to support the overall business strategy
• Respond to all external regulatory / statutory queries and surveys (ie audit, tax, regulatory bodies etc)
• Support the Regional Finance Director on any New Market Entry activities to the extent that it relates to Countries within EMEA

Business Partnering & Support

• Support the Regional Finance Director on strategic projects, including ad hoc analysis on all matters finance
• Support divestment activity as required
• Assist with business cases as necessary and lead financial review of any new projects for financial suitability and sustainability
• Act as the preferred partner of choice for all operational finance and commercial issues to support the business within EMEA
• Challenge the organization to ensure delivery of the quarterly key performance indicators, forecast, budget and targets
• Work on ad-hoc projects to support the commercial and strategic direction of the business
• Provide the necessary support to mature the project pipeline from greenfield to operation of a solar PV plant (i.e. understanding the accounting implications of revenue recognition and PPAs, assisting in legal entity structuring to minimize tax obligations, contributing to project financing structures, etc)
• Determine, in conjunction with the Development Manager, the ‘sources and uses’ (i.e. cash inflows and outflows) associated with a solar project
• Key point of contact and responsible for finance related matters in relation to EMEA

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop the direct team across EMEA. Support their growth as individuals to help them meet their career aspirations
• Support the regional Finance Director in ensuring that the team all have active development plans that support their aspirations.
• Contribute to the wider team/function ambition of making Lightsource bp a good place to work.

Work Skills & Experience

• Qualified ACCA, ACMA, ACA or equivalent with significant (7+ years) post qualified experience
• Exceptional ability to lead a Finance team as well in a more hands-on capacity as required
• Experience of leading teams, ideally including experience of leading geographically dispersed teams
• The ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment interfacing with key senior executives on a regular basis
• Technically up to date with a good understanding of international financial and reporting standards
• Experience in the preparation and interpretation of budgets, forecasts and financial information
• Experience working with different countries, languages and cultures
• Experience working with complex financing and company structures an advantage
• Experience in treasury, cash management and foreign exchange exposure
• Able to meet tight timeframes and drive continuous improvements
• Previous experience working for an international, complex business
• Excellent communications skills and ability to present financial information to Executive and Board level stakeholders.
• Ability to challenge and be willing to get involved and help with decisions that affect the development of the business

General Skills/Attributes

• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Leadership by influence, rather than control
• Strong personality to deal with different cultures and behaviours
• Ability to organise work load and prioritise to maximum effect
• Flexible approach in a fast-paced business which is constantly changing, keep a clear head under pressure
• Curiosity to understand and challenge the business to drive value creation
• Ability to build global relationships with people from finance and non-finance backgrounds
• Excellent attention to detail when checking information with an ability to recognise and question anomalies
• Knowledge of renewable energy (desirable)
• Ability to work with confidential data in a trustworthy manner
• Pro-active and hardworking nature
• Ability to inspire local team and liaise effectively with other global offices
• Eagerness to learn and grow with the business

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.  

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/