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Octopus Energy, France's 5th-largest energy supplier and a leader in renewable energy, is seeking a Senior Accountant to own accounting and tax operations for the energy business. This is a high-impact role in a fast-moving, low-process environment where you'll drive financial accuracy and compliance across a complex, high-volume operation.
Key Responsibilities:
Gross Margin & Energy Accounting: Lead monthly accounting of gross margin flows (energy purchases, distribution, invoiced and uninvoiced sales), produce critical analysis of variations and variances, and identify levers for improvement. Strengthen month-end cut-off and accrual estimates (unbilled invoices, delivered-but-unbilled energy, provisions) in coordination with operations and billing teams. Document and justify accounts within your scope; investigate and resolve anomalies to root cause.
Energy Tax & VAT: Prepare, review, and file VAT declarations (CA3), excise taxes on electricity and natural gas, and CTA filings. Prepare intra-EU goods exchange declarations (EMEBI). Serve as the primary point of contact for tax questions in your scope—analyze novel cases (commercial offers, loyalty programs, new products), formalize positions, and challenge them with external advisors. Contribute to compliance with electronic invoicing and e-reporting reforms.
Supervision & Control: Oversee and control accounts payable operations; contribute to automation improvements (NetSuite, Rossum). Serve as liaison with statutory auditors and external auditors—prepare supporting documentation, respond to requests, track recommendations.
Process Improvement & Continuous Improvement: Identify friction points in closings and processes; propose and implement solutions. Shorten and strengthen month-end closings post-NetSuite migration. Document and maintain process and control documentation. Champion AI and automation deployment within Finance.
Expected Progression:
Months 1–3: Master NetSuite, Rossum, and data flows between ERP and billing/back-office systems. Understand energy market mechanics and gross margin construction. Complete first closings and tax filings in tandem with a peer; deliver initial diagnostic of scope fragilities.
Months 4–6: Achieve full autonomy on closings, margin analysis, and all tax filings. Become the internal and external (auditor/advisor) reference on energy tax. Deliver at least one concrete, measurable improvement (process, control, or automation).
Beyond 6 months: Propose initiatives for Finance roadmap; mentor team on your scope.
Requirements:
- Degree: DSCG, DCG, Master CCA, or equivalent
- Experience: 4–7 years in accounting and tax, ideally with audit/advisory firm background followed by in-house experience
- Tax expertise: Strong VAT mastery; energy excise tax knowledge preferred. Experience in energy, utilities, or high-volume billing sectors is a strong plus
- Demanding month-end closings and statutory auditor engagement experience required
- Data proficiency: Advanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, Power Query), large-volume analysis. Appetite for automation and AI tools appreciated
- ERP knowledge: NetSuite preferred; migration or process-redesign project experience desired
- Languages: Fluent French and professional English (B2–C1); regular interaction with UK group teams
Differentiators:
- True problem-solver: investigates root causes, prevents recurrence
- Comfortable in a building organization with incomplete documentation; enjoys structuring
- Autonomous, rigorous, able to prioritize in a fast-moving context
- Can explain technical topics to non-finance stakeholders (operations, billing, IT)
