Senior Manager Accounting - Controller

Grant PUD•Ephrata, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Accounting is responsible for all accounting matters of the Utility. This position may also be referred to as the Controller, as commonly defined in accounting profession. This position will report to and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer in communicating and reporting financial results of the Utility. As a collaborative senior team member, the Senior Manager of Accounting will partner with the senior leadership team to develop and implement accounting and operational strategies across the organization. This position will ensure timely, accurate and complete financial reporting and strategic use of resources. This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the accounting function, overseeing key functional areas that are managed by managers, supervisors, and leads responsible for specific areas of technical expertise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or two (2) additional years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or finance, advanced accounting, financial reporting, financial controls, or related financial management responsibilities, including management experience supervising or directing technical or professional staff.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
Advanced accounting or finance experience within the utility industry, public-sector, or similarly complex, regulated industry, including experience with applicable accounting and reporting requirements such as FERC, GAAP, GASB, FASB, or BARS.
CPA or CMA certification.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction for Grant PUD’s accounting operations and staff, including development of leaders and staff, performance management, establishment of priorities, and accountability for results.
Establish strategic direction, priorities, and short- and long-term plans for the accounting function in alignment with district goals and objectives.
Establish and maintain accounting policies, controls, and associated reference documents.
Oversee accounting compliance across the enterprise (for all departments corporate through operations) to ensure consistency and adherence to control systems, transaction-processing, and policies, and procedures.
Supports the organization in contract negotiations, policy development, and strategic initiatives related to accounting business terms.
Maintain a comprehensive set of internal controls over accounting operations and financial reporting designed to mitigate financial risk and enhance the accuracy of the District’s reported financial results
Serve as the primary escalation point between the District and its independent external auditors and align and partner with Grant PUD’s Internal Audit Department.
Lead departments and staff that have responsibility to ensure: Thorough analysis of financial reports and data.
The production of periodic internal and external regulatory financial reports while ensuring compliance with all FERC, GASB, GAAP, and BARS requirements.
Maintenance of a credible system of accounting records and financial systems.
Compliant and efficient processing and accounting of payables and payroll.
Provide leadership and oversight of the District’s monthly accounting close process, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete financial results.
Ensure that reconciliations are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Maintain financial systems, an orderly accounting systems, and the associated chart of accounts.
Maintain a system of controls over accounting transactions, addressing any control deficiencies timely and efficiently.
Ensure that the accounting treatment for material transactions and events is sufficiently researched and appropriately documented.
Ensure that income taxes are properly accounted for, and the Utility is in compliance with its tax filings.
Issue timely and complete monthly financial reporting and present financial results and accounting matters, as needed, to staff and in public forums.
Provide accounting and financial analyses as needed for capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
Coordinate with external auditors for the annual audit and communicate financial audit results to Executive Management.
Partner with Senior Manager of Treasury & Financial Planning to monitor debt levels and compliance with debt covenants, adequate liquidity positions, and financial forecasting and analytics activities.
Demonstrated commitment to Grant PUD’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan, and Grant PUD/IBEW Local 77 Code of Excellence.
Understand and adhere to compliance requirements for this position that may include laws, regulations, security guidelines, Grant PUD policies & procedures, as well as NERC/WECC.
Actively participate in all aspects of our safety program, including but not limited to: Following all safety policies and procedures. Alerting supervisors and coworkers to unsafe or hazardous working conditions. Reporting any safety incidents or close calls within 24 hours to your supervisor; and Accepting feedback from supervisors and coworkers regarding your own safety performance.
Accept responsibility for the safety of all team members and model safe behaviors by: Clearly defining and completing performance-focused safety activities required of you and your team. Supporting work stoppages by employees when they identify unsafe/hazardous working conditions. Acknowledging compliant safety behaviors and good safety performance from members of your team(s).
Actively support programs and actions that improve our Safety Culture by: Supporting the presence of safety in your department (e.g. include safety messages in business conversations; begin meetings as appropriate with a safety minute). Ensuring supervisors are monitoring the safety actions of their teams (such as completing safety training, reporting incidents timely, etc.). Being viewed as a safety champion by stopping work if necessary, promoting safety activities (Continuous improvement team processes, Safety & Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) activities, etc.). Acknowledging compliant safety behaviors and good safety performance from members of your team(s).