Assistant Controller - Financial Reporting & Compliance

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Working at NREL

Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

Perform responsibilities as a financial reporting and general accounting Assistant Controller in the Financial Operations Group within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). The position provides leadership for primarily exempt, degreed accounting managers in the areas of financial statement preparation, general ledger, fixed assets, accruals, accounts receivable, project billing, internal controls, and other accounting compliance related functions. The individual will be responsible for promoting and exhibiting ethical and professional behavior in a diverse work environment. Maintain compliance with laws, regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), Department of Energy (DOE) contractual requirements, and NREL policies and procedures.

Technical:

• Responsible for the timely submission of all monthly and annual financial data, reports and statements to external and internal customers.
• Oversee maintenance of the Oracle NREL and STARS (DOE) general ledgers.
• Review and approve appropriate ledger entries, reconciliations, and other analyses prepared by managers and staff.
• Provide staff with technical advice and guidance related to their respective areas.
• Provide ad-hoc reconciliations and analyses as requested by the Controller/Financial Operations Director and/or CFO.
• Research, evaluate, and implement DOE accounting guidance and financial reporting requirements as needed.
• Assist with internal control development and monitoring in compliance with OMB Circular A-123.
• Oversee all business system changes and interfaces relevant to the individual functional areas.
• Actively monitor and track project activities for the functional areas and serve as the point of contact for cross-functional projects.

Leadership:

• Manage and lead a highly skilled technical team with extensive customer impacts.
• Prioritize and supervise work activities for exempt, degreed accounting managers and staff.
• Advise senior OCFO management in matters relevant to functional areas.
• Establish performance objectives and conduct performance appraisals for staff.
• Provide recommendations to the Controller/Financial Operations Director during the annual compensation increase cycle.
• Serve as acting Controller/Financial Operations Director as requested for short-term absences.
• Hire, develop, and mentor staff for the Financial Reporting and Compliance group.
• Serve as a primary contact for the Department of Energy Golden Field Office Accounting team.
• Participate in and/or lead cross-functional ad-hoc teams to resolve complex accounting problems or issues.
• Serve as the first point of contact for resolving external and internal customer issues within the relevant functional areas.
• Represent functional area interests during OCFO planning activities.
• Develop and implement updates to NREL accounting policies, procedures, and systems relevant to changing business needs and industry practices while ensuring compliance with all contractual federal regulations and orders.
• Comply with lab level policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe work environment.

Budget/Planning:

• Actively participate in the Annual Operating Plan budget planning processes.
• Advise Controller/Financial Operations Director on strategic planning and development of group projects and objectives.
• As task leader, manage the annual budget for the Financial Reporting and Compliance group.

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Basic Qualifications

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, including 24 semester hours in accounting subjects, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, project management, and accounting in a fully integrated ERP environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Intermediate Excel skills, including pivot tables, filters, and complex formulas.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills in a team environment with a variety of customers.
• Demonstrated skill in dealing with legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant experience and demonstrated knowledge of Oracle
• Financials, especially General Ledger and Project Accounting modules. Demonstrated specialized knowledge of government regulations, including DOE contractual provisions and orders, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Eligibility for Secret Clearance preferred, but not required.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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