10 July 2025
For Simon Hollis, joining Green Power as a Management Accountant is a chance to take full ownership of financial processes and see the real-world impact of his work.
What initially attracted you to the role?
The role responsibilities were clearly defined - that was very appealing to me. I appreciated the opportunity to manage my own entity, overseeing all accounting activities from start to finish. That level of ownership and accountability was something I was looking for after working as a Financial Analyst, where I was more often supporting others than leading the process myself.
From the beginning, the role felt personal and rewarding. It’s not just about the numbers, although if you're detail-oriented and good with systems, that certainly helps! It's also about understanding the business and seeing the full picture. I like that I could take initiative, learn new processes and be involved in everything from revenue reporting and CAPEX to working directly with site managers and the executive team.
The team here is fantastic: collaborative, supportive and genuinely enjoyable to work with. Even though we operate in a corporate environment, it doesn’t feel overly corporate. You’re recognised for your contributions, rewarded fairly and there’s a real sense of value placed on your work. Over time, my role has evolved. I've taken on additional responsibilities across wind power, banking and now revenue and CAPEX for our key sites like Cassington and Wallingford.
In short, the role challenged me, helped me grow and gave me the opportunity to make a real impact. That’s what makes it such a great place to stay and build a career.
How would you describe the team culture and support you’ve received since joining?
The culture here is genuinely supportive and welcoming. From the moment someone joins, there’s a real emphasis on helping each other learn and succeed. It’s a place where you’re never left to figure things out on your own. Everyone is approachable, and collaboration is a big part of the day-to-day environment.
I had a very personal experience that truly showed me the strength of this culture. Just two weeks into my role, while still on probation, I suffered a serious injury that required multiple surgeries and took me out of work unexpectedly. Naturally, I was worried, being new and unable to work, I feared the worst. But the support I received was incredible. My manager was exceptionally understanding. I also remember speaking with an HR Officer, who helped me navigate my leave by using a combination of annual and sick leave. The finance and executive teams reached out with encouragement and an internal message of support was even shared with the wider team.
Thanks to this care and flexibility, I was able to return gradually. First working from home, then fully back after three months. That kind of response really proved to me that Green Power values its people not just professionally, but personally.
Since then, I’ve always felt supported. Whether I’ve needed help from my manager or a colleague, I’ve never had an issue approaching anyone. The team is filled with genuinely kind, professional individuals, and I feel lucky to be part of a company where the culture is built on respect, trust and looking out for one another.
Can you describe your day-to-day responsibilities as a Management Accountant?
As a Management Accountant, no two days are the same — it’s a varied and dynamic role that keeps you engaged. My responsibilities range from maintaining financial accounts and improving internal processes to more hands-on tasks like site visits and stock audits.
A typical day can include generating revenue reports, calculating gas values to ensure accuracy for grid output, sending invoices to the billing team, and posting journals. I also handle general reconciliations, process expenses, investigate discrepancies and help finalise month-end and year-end accounts with full backup documentation.
Communication is a big part of the role. I regularly collaborate with teammates, report to the finance manager and finance director and engage with external partners and our parent company. We operate in Sage, while Severn Trent Water uses SAP, so liaising with their systems teams is key to ensuring data flows smoothly. I also work closely with site managers and contribute to audit preparation for external reviewers.
Overall, it's a hands-on, high-impact role that sits at the heart of financial decision-making and operational support.
Have you benefited from any learning and development opportunities?
The company offers excellent opportunities for growth and development. For example, I had the chance to take a secondment as a Commercial Accountant, which expanded my skills beyond traditional finance into business analytics. This role involved reviewing complex data and engaging with higher-level strategic discussions, broadening my perspective and expertise.
Additionally, the company supports continuous learning through internal training programs like CIMA and various courses available via the Severn Trent Academy. These resources have been invaluable in enhancing my technical skills and industry knowledge.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The clear value and impact of the work I do. Every task, every number I submit, whether for monthly reports or year-end accounts, plays a vital part in the bigger picture. These figures contribute directly to executive meetings and company-wide roadshows, so knowing that my work supports key business decisions is very rewarding.
I also appreciate how everyone’s contribution is recognised and valued. Even as a supporting function, we have our own entities and strong relationships with site management, which makes the work feel personal and impactful. It’s fulfilling to see the results of our efforts reflected in the numbers at the end of each month, knowing we’re helping the company succeed.