Chief Accountant (Re-Post)

SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Financial Services, the Chief Accountant performs day to day the most complex accounting activities relating to the maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger and the resultant managerial reports and financial statements. The incumbent is responsible for the coordination, maintenance and internal control procedures provided by automated accounting systems that ensure the proper accounting and recording of company resources. Provides financial statements, analysis and other key management reports of WFEC and its subsidiaries. This position will help develop and maintain internal controls and effective accounting systems and policies. The primary function provides technical accounting Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) guidance and ensures compliance. Assists in ensuring that company financial records, under responsibility, are maintained in compliance with company policies and U.S. GAAP. Responsible for reviewing monthly/quarterly account reconciliations and other documents to ensure this compliance. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes the following: other duties may be assigned. Ensures compliance with Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Uniform System of Accounts, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and GAAP interpretations as needed and ensures that pertinent accounting methods, analysis, guidance, policies and procedures are in compliance with regulatory body guidelines. Monitors all accounting systems for accuracy and reliability as they relate to the general ledger and financial statements. Prepares special analyses and assists during internal and external audits. Ensures monitoring and response to financial covenant requirements of RUS and lenders. Ensures compliance for all aspects of the ACES and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) accounting procedures and entries as related to WFEC. Assists in the development of financial forecasting and rating agency reviews. Keeps abreast of current trends, practices and developments in the profession. Makes recommendations for implementation. Prepares and reports financial and statistical information for WFEC Management and the Board of Trustees. Reviews Financial Services department procedures and suggests revisions as required to ensure and maintain compliance. Leads Financial Services efforts to automate manual transaction processes and integrate external applications with WFEC's financial systems to recognize efficiencies and savings. Work with others within or outside the department to improve operating and internal control processes. Coordinates staff resources and data for internal and external audits. Prepares analysis of fuel costs and reviews fuel usage estimates, allocations, adjustments and balancing for monthly fuel clause adjustment report. Provides purchased power and banked power activity analysis. Provides all tracking and accounting relating to debt. Provides all tracking and accounting relating to hedging activities. 

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures. 

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully. 

Professional Knowledge: Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into applications; uses feedback to modify recommendations; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others. 

Oral & Written Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information. 

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.      

Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives. 

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected outcomes. 

Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions. 

Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments to customers. 

Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; conserves organizational resources. 

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required of this position. 

Education and Experience: A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field and a minimum of nine (9) years of professional accounting experience is required. Incumbent must complete the RUS accounting course within one (1) year of hire date. Experience with the use of an enterprise-wide financial accounting system and related querying and reporting is required. Incumbent must have or obtain within three (3) years of hire date, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. Experience in a utility environment and supervisory experience is desired. 

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, managers, employees and outside professionals. 

Math Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts and use math functions found in professional accounting. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions or numerical information including fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions in practical situations. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of data in mathematical form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills: Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: This position requires a current driver's license.  

WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS: This position normally works a weekday daytime schedule but may require additional hours to meet deadlines and may be required to travel on short notice. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and use hands to finger, handle, feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to move about the facility and to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Vision and hearing must be normal or corrected to normal. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. In accordance with WFEC Administrative Procedure 805-Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace this position is classified as "safety sensitive".