Principal Financial Analyst

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative•Fredericksburg, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Financial Analyst is the senior-most individual contributor on the Finance team and serves as the organization’s subject matter expert in financial analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. The position leads complex, high-impact analytical work, including long-range financial planning and capital and financing strategy, and supports rate and pricing analysis. It translates findings into actionable recommendations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors. Working with substantial autonomy and broad organizational impact, the role establishes analytical standards and best practices, leads enterprise-wide process improvement and automation, strengthens internal controls, and mentors members of the Finance team. It partners with accounting, treasury, and operational leaders to support mission-aligned decisions and compliance with regulations, lender requirements, and internal policies. The position primarily involves desk and office work. The employee must be able to work in person at the Fredericksburg, Virginia, office when requested by leadership; a hybrid work schedule may be considered. The standard workweek is generally 40 hours, with some overtime required to meet deadlines and reporting needs. Attendance at multiple conferences during the year may be required, including overnight travel, and the position requires 24/7 on-call availability to support major storm activity. Hiring range: $113,084–$131,460. The position is open until filled.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field.
At least 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, or internal controls.
Significant experience building enterprise financial models and presenting to executive leadership or a board of directors.
Expert knowledge of financial processes, key financial formulas, financial modeling techniques, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Expert skill in Excel, financial modeling, and financial and reporting systems.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and organizational matters.
Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences and present confidently to executive leadership and the Board.
Superior critical-thinking and analytical skills, independent judgment on complex and ambiguous matters, and the ability to anticipate risks and develop strategic recommendations.
Ability to prioritize and lead concurrent projects and competing deadlines with minimal oversight while maintaining accurate and reliable financial data and reporting.
Proven ability to influence without formal authority, set direction for colleagues, mentor and develop others, and provide effective coaching and feedback.
Experience developing, implementing, and continuously improving internal control frameworks in collaboration with accounting teams and senior management.
Track record of leading enterprise-wide initiatives to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and integrity of financial data and reporting.
Commitment to the cooperative model and to serving members with integrity, transparency, and sound stewardship of financial resources.
Ability to work in person at the Fredericksburg, Virginia, office when requested by leadership.
Ability to work some overtime to meet deadlines and reporting needs and to be available on call 24/7 for major storm activity.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree, such as an MBA or Master of Accounting.
Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Experience in a utility or cooperative environment.
Working knowledge of utility or cooperative financial concepts, including rate design, margins and patronage capital, and lender covenants.
Experience leveraging digital tools, business intelligence platforms, and automation to manage and streamline accounting processes, internal controls, and external reporting.
A hybrid work schedule may be considered.

Responsibilities

Lead complex financial analyses, identify trends, variances, risks, and opportunities, and present supported recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Lead annual budgeting and multi-year forecasting, coordinating organizational inputs, setting assumptions, and aligning plans with strategic priorities and financial targets.
Design, build, and maintain enterprise financial models, including long-range plans, scenario and sensitivity analyses, and stress tests for capital investments, financing strategies, rate and pricing proposals, and other strategic initiatives.
Analyze the financial effects of strategic decisions, major projects, and operating or regulatory changes; advise leadership on risks, trade-offs, and long-term financial sustainability.
Prepare, review, and present financial reports and analyses for internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, the Board, lenders, and rating agencies.
Monitor financial metrics and performance indicators, including margins, liquidity, leverage, and debt service coverage, and recommend corrective actions to maintain financial targets and covenants.
Establish analytical standards, model governance, documentation, and review protocols to ensure accurate, consistent, and reliable analysis and reporting.
Act as a technical resource and escalation point for Financial Analysts and Financial Budget Analysts; review work and provide coaching, training, and mentoring.
Collaborate with accounting, treasury, and operational leaders to improve financial performance and ensure organizational consistency in financial data, assumptions, and forecasts.
Design and maintain executive dashboards and key performance indicator frameworks for timely, data-driven decisions.
Lead enterprise-wide process improvement and automation initiatives for accounting operations, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
Lead audit and compliance activities, prepare documentation, respond to auditors and regulators, and strengthen internal controls over financial analysis and reporting.
Resolve complex, non-routine, and ambiguous financial issues and lead cross-functional special projects as assigned by the CFO organization.
Partner with operational organizations to explain financial outcomes and inform operational decisions.
Represent the Finance team on committees, project teams, and with internal and external partners as needed.
Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities.
Maintain expertise and share knowledge with the team through ongoing professional learning, including annual conferences, workshops, or industry seminars.
Provide 24/7 on-call support during major storm activity.