Manager - Energy 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 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 excellence Requi

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.