Accountancy Age Awards 2010 Finance Team of the Year - Octopus Investments

Octopus describes its finance team as a “young, dynamic group of people currently responsible for more than 120 limited companies, 18 plcs, 200 revenue-streams and more than 160 bank accounts”. “We are an extremely busy team striving to be best in class.”

Accountancy Age’s judges agreed with the description. The finance team at Octopus is charged with presenting the investment management business’ finances back to the company, plus holding together the numbers for eight startups linked to the business.

The average amount of assets per business has already grown to £40m. The highest turnover has been £60m pa. Some have even bought other businesses resulting in complex consolidations.

Octopus’ funds are now governed by regulation, which involves complex representations of how those funds are invested.

So, the finance function created automated models that help business managers to plan for growth strategies. These models allow managers to undertake scenario analysis by amending just a few key drivers.