Controller

The Controller oversees all accounting operations, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting, robust internal controls, and compliance with all applicable regulations.  This hands-on leader will be responsible for the day-to-day accounting and reporting functions while providing strategic analysis and guidance to CFO to support overall business growth and decision-making.  The Controller will also assist with annual audits, tax filings, and compliance activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accounting: Lead the accounting team in maintaining accurate financial records and ledgers in accordance with accounting standards, financial covenants, and cooperative policies.

• Assist and oversee all accounting and financial reporting functions to ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and other best business operational and accounting practices.
• Establish, maintain, and regularly assess comprehensive accounting & financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard institutional assets and ensure accuracy of financial reporting.
• Implement and continuously improve processes to maximize departmental efficiency, reduce redundancies, and streamline financial operations.
• Mentor and manage the accounting staff, fostering a culture of accountability and performance.

• Financial reporting: Assist with the accurate and timely preparation of financial statements.

• Produce timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial statements.
• Work closely with leadership on budgets & forecasts, financial operations, and financial strategy.
• Support external audits and provide financial analysis for pricing, investments, and contracts.
• Manage tax planning, filings, and audits in collaboration with external tax advisors.

• Compliance: Manage accounting and financial reporting functions to ensure adherence to financial regulations, tax laws, and industry-specific accounting standards and practices.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial laws and tax regulations.
• Prepare and deliver all required representations and warrants in support of cooperative financial covenants.

• Audit (outsourced): Direct internal staff to conduct audits to verify the accuracy of financial records and assess the effectiveness of internal controls.

• Assist with coordinating and support of annual third-party audits.
• Maintain proper documentation, records retention, and internal reporting calendars.
• Maintain professional relationships with external auditors and bankers.

• Leadership and collaboration: Provide leadership in the Accounting & Financial Reporting function, fostering a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability.  Cultivate buy-in and cross-team alignment to identify new ways of working.

• Support Treasury in managing cash flows to ensure liquidity and optimal capital cost. Coordinate the booking of AR & AP transactions with the corresponding inbound and outbound cash flows to be transacted by Treasury.
• Support Financial Planning & Analysis as they establish budgets, forecasts, & financial plans, as well as the development of insightful periodic budget to actual variances analyses.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Ten years of experience in general accounting is required, with prior experience in electric cooperatives, auditing, or the regulatory sector highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and financial reporting standards.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with distribution or G&T electric cooperatives
• Experience with state regulated rates
• Experience with Rural Utility Accounting

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication skills, and proficiency in advanced Excel, database, or other analysis tools
• Familiarity with CFC, RUS, and CoBank, is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated success leading and managing daily accounting functions, including general ledger (G/L), banking, payroll accounting, fixed assets, leases, reconciliations, vendors, booking accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions.
• Direct experience leading monthly financial reporting closes and consolidations and preparing accurate and timely financial data.
• Adept at maintaining and implementing internal controls, policies, and procedures to protect assets and ensure accuracy of financial data. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop, and kneel.
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull, or move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee may be required to travel overnight to regional and national destinations. 
• May be required to work outside normal hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
• Ten years of general accounting experience
• Prior experience in electric cooperatives, auditing, or regulated industries strongly preferred
• Experience with distribution or G&T electric cooperatives preferred
• Knowledge of Rural Utility Accounting and regulated rate environments preferred

Financial Oversight and Application

• Strong knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Experience with financial reporting (monthly, quarterly, annual close)
• Experience managing general ledger, AR/AP, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and reconciliations
• Ability to establish and maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures
• Familiarity with CFC, RUS, and CoBank (preferred)
• Understanding of federal, state, and local financial and tax regulations
• Preparation and oversight of financial records and ledgers
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Manage compliance with external advisors
• Support cash flow management and financial compliance
• Proficiency in Excel
• High attention to accuracy and compliance

Leadership & Management

• Proven experience leading and mentoring accounting teams
• Ability to drive process improvements and streamline financial operations
• Experience coordinating external audits and working with auditors and bankers
• Leadership collaboration

About Electric Utility Cooperative

Incorporated in 2019, 1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc (1803) is the newest generation and transmission cooperative in the United States. 1803’s mission is to provide power supply and transmission operations for the sole benefit of our Member distribution cooperatives located in Louisiana. 1803’s load is in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) footprint. 1803 is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1803 is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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