Accountant

Umatilla Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Hermiston, Oregon (population 18,000+), the largest and fastest-growing city in Eastern Oregon. Located seven miles south of the Columbia River, Lake Wallula and the McNary Dam, the Hermiston area has become a hub for logistics and data center activity. The area is 30 minutes south of the Tri-Cities in Washington, two-and-a-half hours south of Spokane, three hours east of Portland, and three-and-a-half hours northwest of Boise. Cost of living is lower than the national average. Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University have branch facilities in Hermiston; Columbia Basin College and a branch campus of Washington State University are a 40-mile drive. Area activities are plentiful, and include golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and snow skiing.

UEC Company Benefits & Perks:

4-10 Schedule (Friday's Off)

401(K) up to 11% Company Match

Pension Plan (100% Employer Sponsored)

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits options

Competitive Wages

Vacation, Sick Leave and 11 paid holidays

Gym Membership Subsidy

Employer Sponsored Training

Various Opportunities for Fundraising and giving back to the community

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for keeping a complete and systematic set of records and ledger accounts recording financial transactions and the financial status of the Cooperative and its subsidiary. Maintains accounting records to ensure compliance with GAAP and RUS accounting standards.  Assist with monthly closings, account analysis, and budgeting. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES may include other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for proper and timely recording of financial transactions in the general ledger in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and Rural Utility Services accounting standards.


• Assists with the month-end general ledger, closing entries, and month-end procedures ensuring timeliness and accuracy.


• Compiles, analyzes, and summarizes financial information in order to prepare balance sheet, profit & loss statements, and other reports.


• Maintains and reconciles the fixed asset system to the general ledger including cost, accumulated depreciation and work-order process.


• Maintains the equipment management system to ensure reports accurately reflect transportation and equipment costs.


• Upholds the integrity of the accounting systems according to RUS Uniform System of Accounts, and other governing bodies.

JOB DUTIES may include other duties as assigned.

• Identifies control weaknesses, communicates to management, and implements changes to tighten and enhance controls and mitigate risk.


• Supports Senior Accountant with special projects as assigned.


• Assists in the preparation and coordination of annual budgets, forecasting, and cost of service analysis.


• Provides assistance and advice to ensure that UEC accounting functions adhere to applicable federal, state, and local codes and regulation.


• Prepares, analyzes, and provides accurate and timely work order/plant accounting statistical reports.


• Works with other departments as necessary to ensure the accuracy of work order labor and materials reporting.


• Directs cycle inventory accounting processes.


• Develops and sustains a current and thorough understanding of RUS plant accounting systems in order to ensure timely and accurate preparation of plant construction records and supporting data for requesting loan funds and for audits.


• Ensures the equipment management system is operating as intended and provides reports that accurately reflect transportation and equipment costs for UEC. Prepares, and submits to Manager of Finance for review, all vehicle, equipment and fuel related tax reports.


• Assists the Senior Accountant in the preparation of financial data required for forecasting and/or planning.


• Assures policies are being followed and recommends improvement.


• Monitors and confirms accurate records of fixed asset and depreciation are maintained.


• Supports the preparation of UEC's annual budget; provides accurate and timely budget variance reports to Department Managers on a monthly basis.


• Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.


• Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace.


• Conducts themselves in a manner that reflects well on UEC and contributes to harmonious relations with members and the general public.


• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor and/or manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Minimum Requirements (EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE):

Education:  

Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration with

major emphasis in Accounting/Finance or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:  

Five (5) or more years of experience in general accounting in a comparable organization, with

RUS or electric utility accounting experience highly preferred. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.


• Ability to apply basic accounting/mathematical concepts to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages.


• Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including database, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, graphics, word processing, presentation creation/editing, communicate by e-mail and use scheduling software.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled