Job Information
Cleco Technical Accounting Analyst in Pineville, Louisiana
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The Technical Accounting Analyst is a career professional with knowledge of Technical Accounting policy, Enterprise-wide and business process control, practices and concepts. The incumbent acts as a liaison between key operations and accounting personnel, participates in financial research activities, and interprets and communicates professional pronouncements, opinions or statements of the FASB, FERC or the SEC, as applicable, across all affiliated Cleco companies, and actively participates in the EEI working groups and industry surveys. Contributes to relationships between Audit Staff, Control and Process Owners, and Management, and supports the Manager of technical accounting to advise management, the Board of Managers’ Audit Committee, and control owners on best practices to strengthen financial governance (often multiple projects concurrently). Prepares reports on accounting developments to report to EMT and the Board of Managers’ Audit Committee. Assist with finance-related projects and benefits from exposure to the operational side of the business, while planning and working with key stakeholders to successfully complete important projects. Maintain monitoring processes over corporate initiatives that impact the financial statements and advises project managers regarding process design, including SOX compliance prior to implementation. Assist in advising process owners in resolving issues identified during their testing, helping to facilitate management’s assessments of exceptions and providing final recommendations on severity assessments to be communicated to business process owners. Supports the analysis, understanding, and communication of accounting implications of future transactions or proposed projects. Supports in providing guidance about accounting-related regulatory matters and ensures compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act for related technical accounting department processes.
Key Responsibilities
Monitor the activities of all accounting standard setting bodies (e.g., FASB, SEC, FERC, AICPA, EITF, etc.); evaluate research and identify changes in accounting principles or practices and communicate the impact on Cleco and its affiliates
Ensures the overall effectiveness of corporate controls programs and acts as a liaison for the organization for compliance with Cleco policies, procedures, standards of business conduct and applicable state and federal regulations, as well as identify, evaluate, debate, and document complex Technical and Operational Accounting issues.
Participate in the planning and implementation of detailed accounting policies surrounding US GAAP and other accounting standards as relevant; prepare and organize accounting documents in line with Cleco’s accounting policies; work closely with business leaders and other corporate control teams to prepare, determine, and maintain these policies
Draft white papers and position papers on Cleco’s position around technical accounting topics and monitor and update corporate accounting policies; assist with various special projects and support other Finance functions as necessary
Assist the preparation of SEC filings by providing updates to Financial Reporting on the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Policies disclosures in the 10-Q’s and 10-K’s
Plan, direct and coordinate research of technical accounting issues related to Cleco, and share findings with external auditors regarding Cleco’s evaluation of technically complex transactions
Assist with the review of external reporting to ensure public disclosure is complete and accurate; consult with independent auditors on accounting matters and disclosure requirements as required
Develop solid business relationships, becoming a trusted advisor, with key functional leaders and stakeholders to proactively support business objectives for Technical Accounting and Controls, and be recognized as a technical expert within the organization; providing technical accounting support to Cleco’s business units in their assessment of technical accounting issues, and coordinate the technical accounting staff an resources to effectively prioritize technical needs and timely resolution of matters relative to urgency and importance factors
Stay up to date on industry leading practices and contribute innovative ideas to drive continuous improvement of Technical Accounting and Controls service delivery and processes; drive automation and the integration of current systems (e.g., SAP) and analytical techniques to enhance/streamline current operations and enhance efficiency
Provide business process, systems, and internal controls expertise to business partners and other related risk groups through formal (e.g., trainings) and informal means.
Lead internal controls walkthroughs/design assessment projects to identify and assess changes to the control environments. Advise leaders and process owners to ensure risks are adequately mitigated
Identify opportunities for improving existing processes or creating new ones that more effectively anticipate, manage, and reduce risk.
Define and identify control gaps and provide recommendations (remediation/mitigation) for control process improvements.
Assist in the process of identification of technical issues/questions, organizes, prioritizes, delegates, and ensures timely resolution and documentation of technical positions, while being able to lean-in and complete oneself where necessary
Assist in the internal controls administrative function over financial reporting infrastructure; including efforts to resolve and remediate identified deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting
Help identify and participate in the integration of new technologies/current systems and analytical techniques to enhance/streamline current operations, reporting tools, financial projections, variance reporting, and provide additional insights to drive business impact; ensure extensive utilization of technology, analytics, and automation to improve process efficiency and enhance cycle times
Help to drive direction for assigned special projects; ensure proactive, clear, timely and complete communications on project objectives, status and obstacles with key stakeholders
Assist with the development of policies and procedures for the organization; ensure all policies, procedures and work rules are clearly communicated and applied consistently
Demonstrate ownership of assigned special projects; ensure proactive, clear, timely and complete communications on project objectives, status and obstacles with key stakeholders
Protect the organization through an accurate analysis of information obtained during internal processes and by minimizing Cleco’s exposure to risk; participate in the planning and implementation of detailed accounting policies surrounding US GAAP and other Accounting standards, as relevant
Demonstrate commitment to key project management tenants related to complex accounting topics such as debt arrangements, financial statement review, equity transactions, and free cash flow estimates
Assist with special accounting projects and initiatives such as General Ledger account reviews, cost analyses, revenue system configurations, procurement process reviews, enterprise risk assessment and assistance
Assist in efforts to keep the broader finance groups upskilled with industry leading practices, developments in USGAAP and other accounting standards, including developments at SEC and PCAOB that may affect Cleco’s compliance plan, and foster an environment of innovative idea sharing to drive continuous improvement of finance group
Assist with efforts from a controls advisory and administrative capacity to drive automation and integration of current systems (e.g. SAP), with a focus on operational efficiencies, reduction of costs, and enhancements of regulatory and external relations
Model and promote ethical business conduct and compliance with both the letter and spirit of all laws, rules and regulations to which Cleco is subject to
Ensure timely and accurate preparation of management’s written communications (from identification to resolution) to audit staff and management oversight function regarding the materiality to the financial statements of exceptions (SAB 99s)Champion a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellence
Qualifications
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business, Master’s preferred
3-5+ years of related experience
2+ years of related experience in Corporate Controls preferred
Experience in researching and clearly documenting Accounting issues and applicable Accounting standards preferred
Experience with Accounting and Financial strategy development preferred
Experience with Financial Systems (e.g., SAP) preferred
Experience with Microsoft tools and applications required
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret Finance KPIs/metrics and derive insights into actionable opportunities
Strong project management, communications, writing, speaking, and listening skills
Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
Strong customer focus and employee experience mindset
Knowledge of GAAP, Internal Control processes
Progression to this level is strictly restricted based on critical individual capabilities and business requirements; must be supported by market survey data
Licenses and Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required, Public Accounting experience is preferred.
Key Competencies
BEHAVIORAL
Balances stakeholders
Builds effective teams
Business insight
Communicates effectively
Courage
Demonstrates self-awareness
Drives Results
Drives Vision and Purpose
Ensures Accountability
Instills trust
Nimble learning
Plans and Aligns
Safety
Strategic mindset
TECHNICAL (Core for Function)
Business Partnering
Core Accounting
Financial Reporting & Data Analysis
Governance and Internal Control
Industry and Business Knowledge
Regulatory Accounting
Risk Management
Planning, Forecasting, Budgeting
Financial Transaction Mgmt.
May perform other duties as assigned.
Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.