Financial Accountant

Welcome to Estover Energy Services Limited. Estover Energy Services Limited is a forward‑thinking provider of sustainable energy solutions, committed to powering communities and businesses with innovation, reliability, and responsibility. We specialise in delivering high‑quality energy services that balance environmental stewardship with economic growth. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to drive the transition toward cleaner, smarter energy systems. By combining technical expertise with a passion for sustainability, we help clients reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring dependable energy supply. Our operations span Energy from Waste (EfW) and Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) sites, and we deliver financial, operational, and commercial management support under long‑term Management Services Agreements.

At Estover, our people are our greatest asset. We foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth. Whether you’re an engineer, project manager, or sustainability advocate, you’ll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a qualified or part‑qualified, hands‑on Financial Accountant to join our finance team, based primarily at Gladsmuir Resource Recovery Centre, Levenseat. This is a varied role with genuine ownership, for someone who takes pride in accurate, well‑controlled accounting and thrives on keeping the financial foundations of a business in excellent order. Reporting to the Senior Financial Controller, you will own the day‑to‑day accounting function for the site, ensuring the books are accurate, controlled, and closed on time each month. We want someone who is qualified and keen to get stuck in — someone who takes genuine pride in clean, well‑evidenced accounts and is comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy in a site‑based environment. This role sits at the foundation of the site finance function and offers real variety, genuine autonomy, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a purpose‑driven business.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Accounting & Reporting
  • Prepare accurate, timely monthly financial accounts for the site, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow.
  • Support working capital management, monitoring debtor and creditor positions and escalating risks to the Senior Financial Controller.
  • Own the month‑end close process, ensuring all journals, accruals and prepayments are posted correctly and on time.
  • Prepare financial statements and schedules to support the Senior Financial Controller with reporting requirements.
• Balance Sheet & Reconciliations
  • Own the full suite of balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all accounts are clean, evidenced and reconciled on a monthly basis.
  • Maintain fixed asset registers including additions, disposals and depreciation in line with company policy.
  • Manage intercompany accounts and ensure timely agreement and reconciliation with counterparts.
• Transactional Finance
  • Oversee the purchase ledger function, ensuring invoices are correctly coded, approved and processed.
  • Manage the sales ledger, raising invoices to clients and third parties in accordance with contractual terms.
  • Own the payment run process, preparing and reviewing payment runs for authorisation and maintaining good supplier relationships.
  • Maintain the cashbook and bank reconciliations, and support cash flow forecasting.
  • Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records across Sage as the primary finance system.
• Payroll
  • Manage the end‑to‑end monthly payroll process for site‑based employees on Xero payroll module.
  • Liaise with SLT on payroll matters and ensure timely PAYE/NIC submissions and payments to HMRC.
  • Act as the first point of contact for employee payroll queries.
• Compliance, Controls & Audit
  • Support the year‑end statutory accounts and audit process, providing schedules, analysis and responses to auditor queries.
  • Assist with VAT return preparation and submission.
  • Ensure financial controls and procedures are followed consistently across the site finance function.
  • Identify and elevate any control weaknesses or process improvement opportunities to the Senior Financial Controller.
  • Handle all sensitive financial information with strict confidentiality and professionalism.

What We Expect Day‑to‑Day

• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work accurately, methodically and at pace, with strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to meeting deadlines, or escalating challenges in a timely manner.
• Self‑aware, resilient and optimistic.
• Embraces challenges and has a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Works in accordance with health & safety regulations at all times.
• Continually challenges the status quo and generates ideas for improvement.
• Supportive of continuous improvement initiatives within the business.

Person Specification

Essential

• AAT qualified or part‑qualified ACCA/CIMA.
• Proven experience in a financial accounting role with end‑to‑end ownership of transactional finance and month‑end close.
• Comfortable owning transactional finance, payroll and management reporting simultaneously.
• Clear and professional communicator, able to build positive working relationships across the business.
• Strong proficiency in financial software (e.g. Sage, Xero).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with cloud‑based accounting platforms.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and a proactive, get‑it‑done attitude.
• Able to work independently with a high degree of autonomy in a site‑based environment.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving abilities with strong attention to detail.

Desirable

• Experience in the energy, waste, utilities or industrial sectors.
• Familiarity with Management Services Agreement or contract‑based financial environments.
• Exposure to EfW, MRF or multi‑revenue stream operational sites.
• Experience with project accounting or capital expenditure reporting.
• Experience with AI tools to improve efficiency and accuracy of financial processes.

What We Offer

• Purpose‑driven work. Contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future through EfW and MRF operations.
• A genuinely varied role with real ownership and responsibility from day one.
• Supportive, close‑knit team environment within a growing specialist business.
• Competitive salary in line with qualifications and experience.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – taken flexibly at your discretion throughout the year.
• Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week at the Gladsmuir Resource Recovery site, Levenseat.
• Pension scheme and other standard benefits.
• Career development: training and clear pathways for advancement as the business grows.