Accounting Analyst Lead

Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chelan County Public Utility District seeks a Lead Accounting Analyst to join its collaborative Finance team. This role provides advanced accounting expertise, leads complex financial reporting, and supports modernization efforts across systems and processes.

The position emphasizes technical leadership, mentoring, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards while guiding internal controls and cross-functional teams through a multi-year transformation program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• 7+ years of accounting experience is required.
• Public sector experience (3+ years) preferred.
• Experience providing technical leadership and mentoring preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform complex accounting, financial reporting, and analysis activities for the District, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards and policies.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to Accounting staff; mentor and cross-train team members; review complex transactions and reconciliations.
• Lead technical accounting activities by researching issues, interpreting standards, developing recommendations, and implementing new guidance; support audits and tax matters.
• Determine proper tax treatment of District transactions, including contracts and power sales agreements; lead or support state tax audits; advise on legislation impacts.
• Oversee accounting systems administration, process improvements, Chart of Accounts maintenance, and development of policies to improve efficiency and internal controls.

Skills

Advanced accounting

Utility accounting

Mentoring

Financial analysis

Interpersonal communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

Chelan County Public Utility District is seeking a Lead Accounting Analyst to join a collaborative, mission-driven Finance team that supports reliable, affordable, and sustainable public power for our community. This is an exciting opportunity to step into a key technical leadership role as the District and Accounting team prepare for significant change, including a multi-year Business Transformation, ERP modernization, evolving financial systems and processes, and planned leadership transitions.

We are looking for an experienced accounting professional who values public service, demonstrates integrity and accountability, and brings strong technical expertise, adaptability, collaboration, and a growth-oriented mindset. The Lead Accounting Analyst will play an important role in building the Accounting team of the future, providing technical leadership and mentoring, strengthening cross-training and knowledge transfer, and helping develop broader capabilities across the team. The position will also have meaningful opportunities to help shape accounting processes, internal controls, financial reporting, and technology-enabled improvements as the District modernizes its systems and prepares for the future.

Overview
Provides advanced accounting expertise for the District's accounting and financial reporting functions. Performs complex accounting and financial reporting activities, supports the consistent application of accounting standards and policies, and helps ensure compliance with applicable accounting, regulatory, and District requirements. Serves as a technical accounting resource to Accounting staff and supports Accounting management with financial systems, process improvements, and departmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform complex accounting, financial reporting, and analysis activities for the District. Review significant accounting transactions, reconciliations, and financial information to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and District policies. Lead preparation and review of financial statements and external reporting.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to Accounting staff by serving as the department's technical resource for complex accounting matters. Mentor staff, facilitate cross-training and knowledge transfer, perform secondary reviews of complex accounting transactions and reconciliations, and promote the consistent application of accounting standards, policies, and procedures.

• Lead technical accounting activities by researching accounting issues, interpreting accounting standards, developing accounting recommendations, and leading implementation of new accounting guidance. Lead Accounting activities supporting internal and external audits and provide technical guidance on complex accounting and tax matters.

• Determine the proper tax treatment of District transactions, including complex contracts,
  power sales agreements and multi-million-dollar purchase contracts. Serve as the
  District's tax specialist, providing support District-wide on state excise tax issues. Lead or support
  state tax audits. Provide a financial review and perspective on proposed legislation that
  has a potential impact to the District.

• Lead the administration and continuous improvement of Accounting's financial systems, business processes, and accounting framework. Support financial system enhancements, maintain the Chart of Accounts and reporting structures, support development and maintenance of accounting policies and standardized procedures, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and internal controls.

• Provide technical accounting and tax expertise and financial guidance to District departments, leadership, and cross-functional teams. Represent the Accounting Department on assigned committees, projects, and organizational initiatives, and support financial analysis and recommendations for management decision-making.

• Support departmental operations through special projects, strategic initiatives, and technical assignments. Serve as the technical backup for designated accounting and financial reporting responsibilities and perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field is required.

• Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.


Experience

• 7+ years of accounting experience is required.

• Experience providing technical leadership, guidance, or work direction to others is preferred.

• 3+ years of public sector experience is preferred.


Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of the principles of financial accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards and regulations.

• Advanced knowledge of utility accounting principles, financial systems, and accounting technologies.

• Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex accounting guidance and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.

• Ability to provide technical leadership, mentoring, and work direction to others.

• Ability to review complex accounting transactions and financial reporting for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.

• Ability to develop and improve accounting policies, procedures, and business processes.

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.

• Ability to build collaborative working relationships and effectively partner with stakeholders across the organization.

• Ability to lead multiple priorities, projects, and initiatives while exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining attention to detail.
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.



Physical Demands

• Sitting Frequent 34-66%

• Standing Occasional 11-33%

• Walking Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor-Waist Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 1-10 lbs Waist-Shoulders Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 1-10 lbs Above Shoulders Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 11-25 lbs Floor-Waist Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 11-25 lbs Waist-Shoulders Occasional 11-33%

• Lifting 25 - 50 lbs Floor-Waist (copier paper) Seldom 0-10%

• Climb Stairs Occasional 11-33%

• Twisting at Waist Occasional 11-33%

• Stooping/Bending Occasional 11-33%

• Reach Floor to Waist Occasional 11-33%

• Reach Waist to Shoulder Occasional 11-33%

• Reach Above Shoulder Occasional 11-33%

• Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) Frequent 34-66%

• Hand Controls (joy stick, controls on equipment, etc.) Frequent 34-66%

• Repetitive Motions Frequent 34-66%

• Talking Frequent 34-66%

• Hearing Frequent 34-66%

• Visual - Near Acuity Frequent 34-66%

• Visual - Far Acuity Occasional 11-33%

• Visual - Depth Perception Occasional 11-33%

• Visual - Color Discrimination Occasional 11-33%


Working Conditions

• Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate

  
  District Values

• Trust - We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve.

• Safety - We protect what matters most through the choices we make.

• Stewardship - We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.

• Collaboration - We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power - partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future.

• Courage - We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.

  
  Equal Opportunity/ADA
  
  
  Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.