Manager - Energy Accounting

At Cleco, we're not just poweringlives-we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana.With bold investments in innovativeenergysolutions, we're transforminghow we power ourcommunities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable.This is a long-term commitmentto our people and our communities because our future-and the future of generations to come-depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco-where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

The Manager - Energy Accounting is a senior level professional with deep and extensive knowledge and experience with Energy/Back Office Accounting principles, practices, concepts, and theories. The incumbent leads all day-to-day activities in the Energy/Back Office Accounting function, is responsible for the reconciliation and settlement of commodity purchases/sales and prepares financial statement disclosures for commodity derivatives. The incumbent works closely with financial leadership to meet business expectations for the Energy/Back Office Accounting function by contributing to development of strategic and operational Energy/Back Office Accounting plans and ensures they are in line with corporate and functional strategy. The incumbent drives continual improvement of Energy/Back Office Accounting processes and systems, and mentors and develops staff with Energy/Back Office Accounting responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of procedures, processes and systems related to Energy/Back Office Accounting operations; maintain compliance with internal controls and procedures related to Energy/Back Office Accounting, and ensure that all transactions are properly recorded in financial systems
• Leads the team in all aspects of Energy Accounting including monthly close, analyses, financial and regulatory reporting, fuel audits, and solve accounting-related problems for regulated and unregulated business by working closely with key stakeholders
• Review inventory reconciliations for natural gas and solid fuels volume accuracy; oversee the calculation of deferred fuel based on fuel revenues and fuel expenses
• Approve month-end close accounting entries and account reconciliation; review analytical research of settlement discrepancies; approve mark to market journal entries of commodity derivatives; prepare financial statement disclosures for commodity derivatives
• Monitor commodity transactions to ensure they are correctly captured in the transaction management system, ensuring data quality; understand contract details, fees, rates, and payment schedules to ensure all items for settlement are captured in a timely manner
• Supervise the preparation of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) FAC and EAC filings; supervise the preparation of the periodic FERC filings (EQR, FERC 580 and EIA923)
• Ensure commodity trading transactions are recorded and reported in compliance with SOX processes; analyze, develop, and implement internal policies and procedures across the Energy/Back Office Accounting function to improve team efficiency and automation, resulting in overall cost savings
• Lead the development of analytical reporting tools, variance reporting, and assist with internal and external audits and issuance of audited financial statements
• Use data and analytics to support continuous improvements to reduce costs and improve program quality; participate in the integration of current systems (e.g., SAP, FASD, PCI, Horizon, and Tenaska) and analytical techniques to enhance/streamline current operations and enhance cycle times
• Develop metrics and analyses of historical data and trends to improve decision making for organizational function and increase accountability; develop reports to effectively communicate insights that can impact Finance and the broader organization
• Maintain solid business relationships with key stakeholders to proactively support business objectives within the finance team and external stakeholders to drive success; coordinate work with Risk Management to understand contract pricing and risk management impacts
• Develop and evaluate employees to enhance their performance and development; communicate individual and team performance expectations with regular progress review and hold staff accountable to defined project milestones
• Champions a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellenceRequi
• Strong business acumen pertaining to the Utility industry
• Core knowledge of Finance principles, theories and concepts, and knowledge of related Local and Federal laws and regulations related to Energy/Back Office Accounting
• Strong Knowledge of leading practices in Energy/Back Office Accounting
• Ability to manage high workloads and conflicting priorities, and drive issues to resolution while maintaining an atmosphere of collaboration
• Ability to function effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills to interpret Finance KPIs/metrics and derive insights into actionable opportunities
• Ability to operate effectively and proactively with an employee centric mindset
• Detailed-oriented and high work standards in support of seamless execution
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, communications, writing, speaking, and listening skills

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance or related field, Master's degree preferred
• 5+ years of related experience
• 5+ years People Management experience preferred
• Experience and ability to lead staff across projects towards a common vision
• Experience with financial systems/SAP preferred
• Experience with Microsoft tools and applications required
• Knowledge of GAAP, Internal Control processes
• This level is based only on availability in approved org design/structure; strict adherence is required.
• Progression to this level is strictly restricted on the basis of critical individual capabilities and business requirements

Licenses and Certifications

• Understanding of MISO Environment preferred

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Organizational Talent*
• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• Building Talent*
• Driving for Results
• Energizing the Organization
• Driving Execution
• Building Trusting Relationships
• Driving Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Safety
• Establishing Strategic Direction

TECHNICAL

• Core Accounting
• Financial Reporting & Data Analysis
• Industry & Business Knowledge
• Regulatory Accounting
• Risk Management
• Financial Systems
• Business Partnering
• Financial Transaction Management
• Project and Change Management
• Governance & Internal Control

May perform other duties as assigned.

Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.