Financial Controller (Spain)

Madrid, Spain·Full-time·Added 4 months ago

Return

1 open role

What they offer

  • Full-time hours

    Per the ad.

What they ask for

  • Have the right to work in Spain

    Return doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.

  • Work in English

    English is required, per the ad.

  • Work on-site in Madrid

    No relocation package mentioned.

This job was published 4 months ago

The role

Return | Financial Controller (Spain) | Full-time

About Return

Return (https://return.energy) is the leading European independent energy storage provider, committed to revolutionizing the energy sector. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with offices in Munich, Hamburg and Madrid, Return offers innovative, sustainable solutions to store and intelligently manage energy, ensuring power is used efficiently when and where it's needed most. With a rapidly growing presence across Europe, Return is at the forefront of the energy transition, integrating large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support grid stability, renewable energy integration, and Europe's net-zero goals. Driven by a team of experts, Return aims to provide reliable energy storage that powers the future of clean energy.

Your Impact

As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for day-to-day financial management of our Spanish entity in Madrid and numerous project companies (SPVs) across Spain. At the intersection of controlling, accounting, project finance and reporting, you ensure our finances are in order - from the corporate level down to each individual project SPV.

We're not looking for administrators. We're looking for doers who ensure the financial foundations of our projects, build processes and take ownership.

What you will do

Accounting

  • Full responsibility for day-to-day accounting, including managing various special purpose vehicles (SPVs), employee payroll, etc.

  • HQ cost controlling: cost control projects of Madrid office expenses

  • Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (knowledge of IFRS is an advantage)

  • Resolving accounting matters in close cooperation with internal departments and external partners (e.g. tax advisors, auditors)

  • Accounts payable, receivable management and Spanish payroll administration (nóminas, Seguridad Social) in collaboration with an external service provider

  • Annual audit support

  • Treasury management - SPV funding (IC loans)

Spanish Project Companies (SPVs) - Operational Assets and assets in construction

  • Project cost controlling: cost control projects in construction and operational projects

  • Accounts payable and receivable management

  • Project finance: coordinating and documenting bank drawdowns

  • VAT (IVA) reporting and repayments, including periodic filings (Modelos 303/390)

  • Project subsidies and grants (IDAE, regional CCAA schemes, EU funds) - application and processing, where applicable

  • Project Reporting: monthly preparation of the finance section for the construction reports (based on standardised reporting templates) and presentation to Finance Director and regional board

  • Support on preparation of unaudited financial statements (standardised report, where required by financing bank) and support on preparation of annual audit

  • Preparation of compliance certificates for financiers (via standardised models and reports)

  • Other project-related administrative tasks

Budget & Cash Flow Planning

  • Annual budget preparation and recurring cashflow planning for the Madrid office

  • New project budgeting support (where needed)

  • Support on project budget updates for construction and operational projects

Part of the European Finance Team & Finance transformation projects

  • Active participation in finance transformation projects - building and improving global Europe-wide processes, tooling and reporting standards as part of the further professionalisation of the finance function to large institution standard

What you bring

  • Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or a comparable field

  • Several years of experience (minimum 3 years) in controlling, accounting or financial reporting - ideally in the context of project finance, infrastructure, renewable energy or at an audit firm

  • Solid knowledge of Spanish GAAP (Plan General de Contabilidad) and ideally IFRS; experience with project finance structures (SPVs, bank drawdowns, compliance reporting) is a plus

  • Experience with accounting software such as SAP, Sage, A3 and/or Exact Online;

  • Strong Excel skills and confident user of PowerPoint

  • Structured, independent working style with attention to detail

  • Entrepreneurial and continuous improvement mindset, ownership mentality and hands-on approach ("make it work")

  • Fluent in Spanish and English (both required)

  • Comfortable leveraging Claude AI tooling to support daily finance work (drafting, analysis, process documentation, reconciliations) - we actively use AI across the finance function

Why join Return?

At Return, we don't just talk about impact - we build it. You'll join a passionate and skilled team where your contributions help shape real-world solutions and directly support a more sustainable future. Our entrepreneurial and collaborative culture is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition at scale

No recruiting

We do not work with recruitment agencies or external recruiters for our hiring process. Applications should be submitted directly through our careers page

About Return

Return is an independent energy storage provider operating across Europe, specializing in large-scale battery storage systems that it builds, owns, and operates. With a team of over 100 professionals, the company serves utilities, energy traders, and industrial clients by offering storage-as-a-service, helping to stabilize the grid and support renewable energy integration. Return is active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Spain, and is exploring new markets to expand its network.

In Spain, Return has established a presence in Madrid, where it is currently hiring for a Financial Controller role. The company's work culture emphasizes reliability and partnership, aiming to make clean energy infrastructure 'boring'—meaning dependable and predictable. For international professionals, Return offers opportunities to contribute to Europe's energy transition, with roles that may involve hybrid work arrangements and collaboration across its European offices.

Industry
Energy
Employees
100–500
Headquarters
Amsterdam, Netherlands
In Spain
Madrid

Good to know if you are moving

  • Return is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with operations in Spain, Germany, and Belgium.
  • The company is hiring a Financial Controller in Madrid, Spain, indicating a growing finance team in the region.
  • Return emphasizes ISO 27001 security certification, which may appeal to professionals concerned with data and operational security.
  • The company handles recruitment internally and does not work with external agencies, so candidates should apply directly through their careers page.
  • Return's team includes over 100 professionals, suggesting a relatively small, collaborative work environment.
All open roles at Return
WhatsApp