Assistant Controller

Fervo Energy is seeking a strategic and hands-on Assistant Controller to lead key accounting functions across financial reporting, internal controls, and audit preparation. The Assistant Controller will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the company's financial statements, overseeing the monthly close process, and supporting compliance with GAAP and regulatory standards. The Assistant Controller will play a critical role in building scalable finance operations to support Fervo's geothermal project portfolio and future growth. This position offers the opportunity to drive financial excellence at a fast-growing, mission-driven energy company. This position will report to the Controller.

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation, review, and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements-including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements-to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with internal reporting timelines and external requirements.
• Financial Analysis & Planning: Conduct in-depth financial analyses comparing actual results to budget and forecast, identifying key trends, variances, and opportunities for performance improvement; support strategic decision-making through clear, actionable insights.
• Regulatory & GAAP Compliance: Ensure adherence to U.S. GAAP accounting principles and relevant financial regulations, maintaining robust documentation and supporting continuous improvement in financial reporting quality and compliance posture.
• Internal Controls & Risk Management: Design, implement, and monitor internal control systems to safeguard assets and ensure integrity in financial reporting; support IPO readiness through development and maintenance of SOX-compliant frameworks and documentation.
• Audit Management: Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors, managing annual financial and grant audits from planning to completion; ensure timely submission of audit deliverables and proactive resolution of findings or recommendations.
• General Ledger Oversight: Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy of general ledger activity, timely reconciliations, and integrity of financial data across all entities.
• Team Leadership & Staff Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the financial accounting and accounts payable teams; establish clear performance expectations, foster a culture of accountability, and support career growth through ongoing feedback and training.
• Systems & Technology Management: Oversee the accounting systems environment, including managing upgrades, testing enhancements, and optimizing workflows to improve efficiency, automation, and data integrity across financial operations.
• Tax Support & Compliance Reporting: Coordinate with tax advisors and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely provision of financial data for tax calculations, filings, and compliance reporting, including federal, state, and local obligations.
• Technical Accounting & Policy Development: Partner with third-party advisors to evaluate complex accounting matters and draft technical memoranda; support the implementation of new accounting standards and the development of internal accounting policies and procedures

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (Master's degree or MBA a plus)
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role
• Strong background in corporate accounting, with experience in project-based or construction accounting
• Experience with overseeing general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process
• Previous experience in the energy, renewable infrastructure, or capital-intensive industry highly preferred
• Familiarity with accounting considerations unique to geothermal or renewable energy projects (e.g., drilling costs, AROs, PPAs, tax equity structures)
• Advanced understanding of U.S. GAAP and internal control frameworks (e.g., SOX readiness)
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and strong Excel modeling skills
• Experience supporting external audits and preparing financial statements and disclosures
• Comfort navigating accounting for grants, capital expenditures, and complex joint ventures
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop accounting teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail
• Effective communicator with the ability to translate financial concepts for non-financial stakeholders
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset, with a passion for operational excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting IPO readiness or working in a public company environment a plus
• Knowledge of renewable energy incentives (e.g., ITC, PTC), grant compliance, and DOE funding beneficial
• Willingness to work in a high-growth, mission-driven organization focused on decarbonizing the energy sector
• CPA certification a plus

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX with growing offices in Oakland, CA, Golden, CO, Reno, NV, and Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Houston office will be required. Some travel is required for this position.