As a key member of the Executive Management team, the Chief Financial Officer will assume a strategic role in the overall management of the cooperative. The CFO will have primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial-related activities of the cooperative. This will include direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, job costing, and capital structure.
Essential Job Functions:
The following are the major responsibilities of this position. They are not intended to cover each aspect of the position as the scope of duties of a given position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of the cooperative.
Interprets and communicates the Cooperative’s mission statement, strategic goals and policies throughout the organization to gain support in achieving the Cooperative’s objectives
Provides leadership in the development for the continuous evaluation of short and long term strategic financial objectives
Evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action
Ensures credibility of Finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts
Provide executive management with advice on the financial implications of business activities
Complete, document and revise financial plans to guide development of service tariffs, equity management, business planning, and debt portfolio management
Manage debt portfolio and maintain good relationships with local banks and cooperative lenders
Manage FEMA reimbursement claims and all insurance claims
Oversees and conducts special cost studies and financial analysis as requested
Coordinates statistical analysis and makes recommendations concerning the fiscal status of the Cooperative
Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities
Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance, Billing and Accounting functions
Design, develop, communicate and monitor internal control policies and procedures
Develops, recommends and monitors the annual work plan and budget for the Cooperative, preparing regular reports to the officers and Board of Directors, detailing progress against overall plans and goals
Manage processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidation and report to the officers and Board of Directors
Oversees the preparation of reports and financial statements
Authorizes and signs cash disbursements, payroll and capital credit checks
Oversees the preparation of journal entries for the general ledger
Oversees the preparation of quarterly payroll tax reports
Reviews transactions processed through the accounts payable and payroll systems to determine the propriety of account, department, and activity code numbers
Coordinates closing of accounts payable, payroll, transportations, work order and fixed assets systems
Oversees the preparation of monthly close out of general ledger
Ensures processing of general ledger, operating statement, and balance sheet reports
Oversees the preparation of monthly sales tax reports
Oversees the preparations of quarterly franchise tax reports
Ensures reconciliation of general operating account bank statements
Oversees the preparations of all books and documents for the Cooperative annual audit, subsidiary audits and other entries under contract with the Cooperative
Provides training to accounting staff on policies and procedures to process general ledger and banking transactions, prepare reports and conduct cost analyses
Selects, hires, reviews performance, and terminates personnel immediately supervised within the Cooperative Policy guidelines.
Provides a coaching style of supervision that promotes growth. Identifies opportunities for improvement and implement plans to develop employees to reach their greatest potential.
Ensure Cooperative policies, procedures and regulations are followed
Assist management in promoting a positive image of the Cooperative
Represent the Cooperative at professional, social and community activities
Exercises a high degree of discretion and emotional control during periods of extreme stress in working with members, Board members, employees and other individuals, any of whom may be from diverse cultural backgrounds, and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as working with professional staff, regulatory staff, and oversight agencies.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the Assistant General Manager/COO and/or the General Manager/CEO
*These tasks do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of essential job functions and usually equal 5% or less of time spent. However, these tasks still constitute important performance aspects of the job.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the FERC Uniform System of Accounting and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles concepts, procedures and practices.
Knowledge of financial and cash management, capital and strategic planning and placement, budgeting and forecasting, contract negotiations, plant accounting and consumer billing, collecting practices and procedures is required.
Proficient in the areas of expense analysis, accounts payable, payroll, property records and long-term debt acquisitions. Other preferred areas of knowledge include cost of service and retail rate design studies.
Proficient computer skills using Cooperative accounting system software, Excel, Access and Word.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and handle multiple work assignments to meet deadlines.
Ability to communicate with co-workers, customers, and various business contacts in a courteous and professional manner, both orally and in writing.
Must possess demonstrated leadership skills and an established record of motivating and empowering employees, coordinating self-directed teams and leading a customer focused organization in formulating innovative solutions to problems.
Manage the work of others and maintain effective relationships, both within and outside of Cooperative.
Must pay close attention to details. Must be able to complete basic arithmetic problems accurately.
Ability to maintain confidentiality with access to Cooperative, employee, and member information.
If required to drive, must possess a valid driver's license and remain insurable by Cooperative automobile insurance carrier.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance or another related field is required. A CPA license is preferred.
A minimum of seven years management experience in a progressively responsible financial and accounting position is required, preferably with a consumer-owned utility system.
Physical Requirements:
Light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force more frequently. Lifting and carrying of 10 to 50 pounds occasionally. Job requires sitting majority of the time. Primarily inside work at desk. Must be able to use office equipment such as a copier, computer and printer. Hazards include electrical and mechanical. Some exposure to dust and dirt. May be required to work outdoors for events or certain circumstances.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
0-24%
25-49%
50-74%
75-100%
Seeing:
Must be able to read
reports, use computer and operate a vehicle.
X
Hearing:
Must be able to hear
well enough to communicate
with co-workers.
X
Standing/Walking:
X
Climbing/Stoop/Kneeling:
X
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing:
X
Fingering/Grasping/Feeling:
X
Working Conditions:
Must be able to work outside of regular schedule to maintain operations as required. General office environment. Will occasionally require travel outside the cooperative service area.
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Due to the nature of an electric utility, all employees are subject to working extended hours, holidays, nights, and weekends with or without notice.
Deep East Texas Electric Coooperative’s service area extends into parts of 8 counties in East Texas:
San Augustine, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Newton, Panola, Jasper, Sabine, and Rusk Counties.