Chief Financial Officer

LaFollette Utilities Board; La Follette (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LaFollette Utilities Board is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to lead the financial stewardship and strategic planning for Accounting, Billing, and Purchasing. You will guide monthly statements, forecasts, and regulatory filings while partnering with Utility Board to drive financial stability and customer service excellence.

Ideal candidates bring a CPA (preferred), a four-year degree in business or accounting, and at least five years in finance with supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• A four-year college degree with a major in business administration, accounting, or similar discipline.
• CPA preferred; minimum of five years in accounting/finance with supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, internal controls, and regulatory filings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting, billing, and purchasing departments and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, debt management, and investment oversight; support board communications.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Budgeting and forecasting

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Regulatory reporting

Executive communication

Supervisory management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Financial management systems

Accounting software

Excel / spreadsheets

Job description

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at LUB serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the financial stewardship, strategic planning, and operational oversight of the organization’s Accounting, Billing, and Purchasing departments. This position ensures compliance with all accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies, while safeguarding the organization’s financial assets and long-term stability. The CFO oversees the preparation and analysis of financial reports, including monthly statements, forecasts, annual reports, and regulatory filings. Additionally, the role includes active participation in Utility Board meetings, debt management, budget development, and investment oversight. The CFO provides leadership, vision, and guidance on complex financial matters and ensures decisions support the utility’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and customer service excellence.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Education:

A four-year college degree with a major in business administration, accounting, or similar discipline (CPA preferred). Must also have a minimum of five years relevant experience (previous supervisory experience preferred). A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience:

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, financial management, or a related field. Experience in a utility, municipal, governmental, or similarly regulated environment is preferred. Prior supervisory or management experience is preferred. Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, internal controls, accounts payable/receivable, and financial analysis is preferred. Experience supporting executive leadership and communicating financial information to boards, committees, regulators, auditors, and employees is preferred.

Job Knowledge:

Comprehensive knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal financial controls. Knowledge of utility accounting, financial practices, and regulatory requirements is preferred. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local financial regulations and reporting requirements. Working knowledge of financial management systems, accounting software, spreadsheets, and data-processing systems. Understanding of cash management, capital planning, debt management, and long-term financial planning. Knowledge of internal controls, audit processes, and risk management practices.

Abilities/Skills:

Ability to provide strategic financial leadership and translate financial information into actionable recommendations for executive leadership and the governing body. Ability to develop, manage, and monitor annual budgets, financial forecasts, capital plans, and long-term financial strategies. Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends and risks, and communicate findings clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences. Ability to establish and maintain effective financial controls, policies, procedures, and accountability systems. Ability to supervise, develop, and evaluate accounting and finance personnel. Ability to maintain accurate and confidential financial records and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. Ability to operate standard office equipment, calculators, computers, financial management systems, and related software. Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a high-accountability environment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, board members, auditors, financial institutions, regulators, vendors, and the public. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate a high degree of integrity and ethical conduct.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in normal office conditions. Some irregular hours, nights, weekends and holidays may be required.

This position has been designated safety sensitive and subject to pre-employment, periodic, reasonable cause, post-accident and random drug testing.

This position has been designated hourly, non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

LAFOLLETTE UTILITIES is an Equal Opportunity organization. LUB's policy is to treat all employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, benefits and promotions.