Accountant - Asset Accounting

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives—we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we’re transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to 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 Accountant II - Asset Accounting is a professional with knowledge of and some experience with Asset Accounting principles, practices, concepts, and theories. The incumbent is responsible for performing assigned tasks and activities required for preparing, maintaining, and overseeing accurate capital asset records ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.  The incumbent is responsible for accurate accounting of capital assets through their lifecycle – from acquisition to retirement. With minimal guidance, the incumbent handles varied and moderately complex Asset Accounting tasks, typically following established precedents.  The incumbent contributes to the identification of improvements to enhance Asset Accounting activities and procedures. The incumbent assists with on-boarding entry-level employees with Asset Accounting responsibilities. The incumbent enhances working relationships and networks with internal and external parties for collaboration on procedures or activities and may begin to advise others on standard Asset Accounting matters. The incumbent communicates ideas and information, whether verbal or written, in a clear and concise manner conducive to a positive work environment. The incumbent respects others’ points of view through engagement and interest and uses relevant knowledge, know-how, and skills to explain and clarify thoughts and ideas.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively collaborate with engineering, operations, and other areas of the company to ensure capital asset information is complete, accurate and compliant with regulatory requirements; provide guidance related to capital asset classification, asset accounting policies, and related regulatory requirements; coordinates “in-service” declarations, asset retirement processes, and transfers of assets
• Perform unitization of accumulated costs for completed capital projects; includes reviewing and analyzing costs to determine proper classification, preparing journal entries as needed; identifying and assigning asset costs to electric plant accounts as prescribed by FERC; reconciling project costs between the subledger and general ledger.
• Assist with tracking, accounting, and reporting for asset retirement obligations, preliminary project costs, and operating and finance leases
• Assist with month-end closing and quarterly reporting processes and procedures; tasks may include account reconciliations, variance analysis, closing asset/project modules in PowerPlan and relevant systems, monitor interfaces with other systems, calculating depreciation, preparing information for the FERC Forms 1 and 3Q
• Collaborate with the WBS/Project Structure team ensuring capital projects are accurately established, tracked, and transitioned to capital assets in compliance with financial, operational, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor, maintain, and ensure compliance with all SOX documented controls in Asset Accounting; adhere to Asset Accounting/Accounting policies, procedures, and processes
• Provide high quality, responsive service to internal and external stakeholders pertaining to Asset Accounting’s processes, procedures, and responsibilities
• Develop, maintain, and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance and best practices by proactively staying current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices in accounting and financial systems; apply relevant updates to internal processes and systems
• Support Asset Accounting Management by analyzing historical data, identifying trends, developing strategic reports, and providing suggestions to increase accountability, improve decision making, and drive results for Asset Accounting, Finance, and the broader organization
• Identify and report system and process issues; participate in organizational efforts to reduce reliance on “work arounds” and/or manual alternatives
• Actively engage in process improvement initiatives to enhance Asset Accounting service delivery and processes; identify areas to automate routine manual tasks; leverage resources and tools for continuous quality improvement of Asset Accounting processes and deliverables
• Stay current with all department software (e.g., PowerPlan, SAP) and analytical techniques; assist with integration and optimization efforts to streamline operations
• Champion a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, sense of belonging, customer service, and operational excellence

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business-related field
• 3+ years of related experience
• Experience with Financial Systems/SAP preferred
• Experience with Microsoft tools and applications required
• Knowledge of GAAP, FERC Accounting, Internal Control processes, and Capital Asset Accounting
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job; technologically savvy
• Ability to exercise sound judgment with little direction/guidance while recognizing when to escalate issues to Asset Accounting Management
• Demonstrated capacity for independent work
• Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment; present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
• Strong verbal and written communication skills that are efficient and effective
• Strong organizational and time management skills; capable of prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines while delivering high-quality results
• Detailed-oriented and high work standards in support of seamless execution
• Progression to this level is strictly restricted based on critical individual capabilities and business requirements; must be supported by market survey data.

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• 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
• Risk Management
• Business Partnering
• Project & Change Management
• Financial Transaction Management
• Financial Systems
• Governance & Internal Control
• Regulatory Accounting

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May perform other duties as assigned.
Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.