Controller

The Position:

Reporting to the VP of Financial Services/CFO and providing support, the Controller will oversee all accounting functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with policies and the FERC chart of accounts. Responsibilities include managing the annual audit, developing and updating budgets, maintaining 10-year forecasts, and along with the CFO, manage the relationships with our lenders and credit rating agencies.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage six accounting staff and oversee the general ledger system, including month-end closing and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and reports for management and external agencies such as our external auditor, S&P credit rating agency, and our lender, CFC.
• Conduct monthly financial reviews, projections, and provide analytical support to VPs and managers.
• Develops internal control policies to ensure separation of duties and monitors compliance of those policies.
• Responsible for banking, treasury services, and cash management functions.  Direct the cash forecasting and management process to limit risk and maximize return.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and Department of Energy rules, accounting standards (GAAP, FASB, FERC, etc), and stay up to date on changes in regulations affecting NHEC.
• Support the financial goals of NHEC by developing the annual operating budget and
• and capital budget processes in collaboration with departmental leaders.
• Develop and manage long range financial forecast and debt management plans to maintain financial stability and ensure compliance with desired key financial ratios.
• Monitor long-term debt, investment risks, and financial assurance with ISO-NE; provide recommendations for debt management and minimize investment risk.
• Monitor and coordinate financial and analytical data to support the CFO for credit rating agency calls.
• Maintain compliance with legal guidelines and support tax and regulatory reporting.
• Improve internal processes and communications by participating in cross-functional teams and attending relevant meetings.
• Support NHEC’s strategic and cultural goals through Balanced Scorecard objectives, performance assessments, and safety improvements.
• Hires and develops high performing team members, sets clear expectations, develops an environment to support employees in obtaining the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Conducts regular 1:1s and prioritizes performance assessments and professional development with direct reports.
• Review post-retirement benefits, analyze healthcare trends, and conduct monthly investment analyses.
• Coordinate the external auditing process by ensuring staff has completed all reconciliations and schedules required by the outside audit firm as well as work with the external auditor on the annual corporate tax return (990).
• Assist VP of Financial Services/CFO with the review and update of finance, administration, and related policies.  Provide assistance on proper accounting policies, procedures and controls to all NHEC staff.
• Supports the cultural goals of NHEC by exhibiting self-leadership, developing, and maintaining effective working relationships, being innovative, and seeking feedback.

The Person:  

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or Accounting is required.
• Must currently be a Certified Public Accountant and maintain certification.
• An advanced degree in business administration is desirable.  Additional training in financial management, data processing and internal auditing is also desirable.
• Prefer 10 years of progressively responsible financial and accounting experience, including 5 years’ experience leading and managing diversified talent.
• Utility accounting experience desired.
• Conversant with the disciplines of data processing and information systems.  Experience with financing, budgeting and forecasting is preferred.
• Skilled in the areas of organizing, planning, directing, controlling, and supervising.  Should possess an in-depth conceptual working knowledge of utility regulations as required by the State and Federal Agencies.
• Must be capable of meeting established NHEC goals through development and implementation of policies, practices, and procedures.
• Must be able to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing.
• Must be skilled in motivating, training, and evaluating staff to obtain the highest degree of productivity and be responsible for development of individual capabilities.
• Must be able to analyze complex financial data and develop detailed financial plans and forecasts.
• Must have a working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles including those promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
• Knowledge of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission uniform system of accounts desirable.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the principles of budgeting, forecasting, and cash management.

Working Conditions:

Normal office conditions, occasional overtime may be required. Eligible for hybrid work schedule dependent upon management approval & workload, however on-site office work in the Plymouth, NH area will be required.  Will be required to work long hours on occasions, especially during major system outages. Limited travel required in the performance of work responsibilities and representing NHEC at various professional and association meetings.

Assistance with power restoration efforts is required of all employees. It may be required during regular business hours that employees will be assigned functions to support power restoration and for some employees that may be different from their normal duties. In addition, such assistance may require working nights, weekends and holidays which may involve considerable extra hours. In order to meet this working condition, all employees are required to provide a personal phone number where they may be reached after hours. This number will only be used for internal purposes.

Additional Information

Review of applications will begin September 23, 2024, and will continue until the position has been filled, or otherwise closed.  Please be prepared to provide a resume and cover letter to complete your application. Any application not containing a resume and cover letter will be considered incomplete.

Compensation:

NHEC views compensation in a holistic and transparent manner. We are committed to providing our employees with work-life balance, generous time off, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and additional programs that enhance our employees and members lives. The salary range for this role is targeted at $167,845 - $192,647.

The Organization:

Headquartered in Plymouth, New Hampshire, NHEC is the largest member-owned electric cooperative in New England, providing electric utility service to consumers and businesses in 115 communities throughout New Hampshire. There are 220+ employees serving our members, which is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make, and our mission is to provide our members access to affordable, reliable electric service options that support and simplify their lives. The electric utility industry is currently undergoing enormous change as consumers look for new ways to manage energy costs through renewable energy, distributed energy resources such as solar arrays and battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and energy-related apps on smart devices.

There is much to be proud of in our existing organization, and a genuine enthusiasm for what the future holds. It is an environment in which individual leadership and initiative are highly valued and encouraged, and success is viewed as a shared accomplishment to be celebrated by all. Ensuring our members have the energy they need, the information they want, and a partner they can trust is what makes us different. We invite you to learn more about the impact you can have by exploring our website at www.nhec.com.

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: VP of Financial Services/CFO

Job Classification: People Leader

Grade 19