Job Information
Cleco Director - Technical Accounting & Controls in Pineville, Louisiana
Depending on the volume of applications, this position may close to external applicants before the job posting end date expires.
Role Summary
The Director, Technical Accounting is a senior level professional with deep and extensive knowledge and vast experience with Technical Accounting principles, practices and concepts, responsible for providing accounting policy expertise to senior management and business group managers. The incumbent will be able to identify, evaluate, debate, and document complex technical and Operational Accounting issues, and should be able to describe and implement complex Technical Accounting concepts and liaise directly with cross-functional teams across the organization, executive leadership, external auditors, and Finance leadership team.
The incumbent will focus on Accounting and Finance policies, Accounting Research, issue resolution, assist with periodic filings, and ensure compliance with various regulatory requirements, and drive continuous process improvement and education across the organization. The incumbent will have responsibility to develop the processes and internal controls associated with the identification, documentation, communication and implementation of proposed and new accounting standards, and the accounting for complex financing, mergers and acquisitions and other new and unusual transactions. The incumbent will also focus on Accounting related projects and overseeing financial controls, and governance and will be responsible for the performance and development of the team.
Key Responsibilities
Lead strategic organizational projects related to Accounting (transactions, new acquisitions etc.) and manage the review of complex Accounting areas and matters (e.g., Regulatory Accounting, revenue recognition, consolidation, acquisitions, restructuring)
Support the Controller in meeting business expectations for Technical Accounting, including two-way communication between finance team and business stakeholders including legal, commercial, and regulatory teams
Proactively monitor emerging accounting standards during the exposure draft period, interprets ambiguity and impacts to all business divisions, prepares technical accounting position papers, and works with external auditors through the review process. This includes the activities of all accounting standard setting and regulatory bodies (e.g., FASB, EITF, SEC, PCAOB, FERC, AICPA)Partner with appropriate management division and business line to implement new accounting and reporting guidance as required, to ensure Cleco is compliant on all requirements and standards considering evolving business scenario and portfolio
Participate in providing senior management with impact analysis of the new Accounting principles and makes recommendations on strategies to optimize the impact
Champion a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellence
Plan and implement detailed Accounting policies surrounding US GAAP and other Accounting standards as relevant, and ensures that Accounting documents are prepared and organized in line with the organization’s accounting policies
Work closely with business leaders and other corporate control teams to prepare, determine, and maintain these policies
Ensure project management with respect to the adoption of new Accounting standards by preparing roadmaps and overseeing the implementation progress; and preparing and reviewing financial reporting impacts and disclosures from the adoption of the applicable new Accounting standards
Lead the preparation of detailed documents, identifying key controls, testing of control environment, and ensuring its stability on a continuous basis
Assist with other internal control matters, including design, implementation, testing and remediation
Assist in the coordination of all external and internal audits including the resolution of open comments and findings in close partnership with the Audit team
Serve as escalation point for Technical Accounting team to report risks to delivery, ensuring business expectations, goals and objectives are understood and met across the team
Identify and integrate new technologies/current systems and analytical techniques to enhance/streamline current Accounting processes and provides additional insights to drive positive impact for the business
Expand and share US GAAP and other necessary external Regulatory Accounting knowledge with various team members through Accounting issue resolution, development of policies and procedures, training and communication
Oversee and manages the performance of Technical Accounting team, lead and guide the work of technical staff, monitor progress, and hold them accountable to defined project milestones
Manage relationships with and oversee work performed by outside advisors in respect of due diligence, Purchase Accounting and other necessary deliverables in respect of special projects and transactions
Ensure alignment with other functions across the Enterprise
Leads all project teams to achieve function’s targets through highly complex objectives, milestones, obstacles and priorities while focusing on delivering 1-3-year plans aligned with Cleco’ s vision
Oversee, manage and accountable for departmental targets, and has ability to support strategic decisions with analytical data and deep insights
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business, Master’s preferred
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required, Public Accounting experience highly preferred
10+ years of progressive Accounting or Technical Accounting experience
2 - 5+ years of people management experience
Experience with Transaction Accounting and Structuring
Experience in researching and clearly documenting Accounting issues and applicable Accounting standards
Experience with Accounting and Financial strategy development
Experience with Utility Accounting and Finance experience
Experience with Financial Systems
Experience and ability to lead staff across projects towards a common vision
Strong business acumen pertaining to the utility industry
Core knowledge of Accounting principles, theories and concepts, and strong knowledge of related Local and Federal laws and regulations
Ability to negotiate and influence with a consultative approach
Strong knowledge of leading practices for Technical Accounting practice area
Strong planning, project management, communications, negotiation, writing, speaking, and listening skills
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret business, workforce and Finance KRAs/KPIs/metrics into actionable insights and decision making
Maintain a strong knowledge of industry and technology trends; and regulatory requirements for Technical Accounting
Ability to exercise sound judgment in multiple types of businesses with little direction/guidance but also knows when to escalate issues to Controllership Vice President
Ability to function effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
Strong customer focus with an employee experience mindset
Competencies
Behavioral
Balances Stakeholders
Builds Effective Teams
Business Insight
Ensures Accountability
Strategic Mindset
Technical
Business Partnering
Core Accounting
Financial Reporting & Data Analysis
Cleco is a privately owned regional energy holding company with two primary businesses. Cleco Power, our regulated electric utility business, owns ten generating assets with a total nameplate capacity of 3,357 megawatts and serves approximately 290,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana and Mississippi. Cleco Cajun, our unregulated electric utility business, owns eight generating assets with a total nameplate capacity of 3,555 megawatts and contracts that serve nine Louisiana cooperatives, five wholesale municipal customers and one electric utility.
In business since 1935, Cleco has deep roots. For more than 85 years, Cleco has kept pace with the ever-changing energy industry to serve its customers. Our corporate office is in Pineville, La. We have offices and 1,500 employees across the state near major cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. If you like great music, food and nature, with a dash of eccentricity, then Louisiana is a good place to call home.