Director, Technical Accounting and External Reporting

Gridstor; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Unlimited paid time off

Annual cash bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

GridStor, a Portland-based energy storage developer, seeks a Director of Technical Accounting and External Reporting to elevate its accounting function. The role focuses on U.S. GAAP expertise, policies, and robust external reporting to management, investors, lenders, and auditors.

The candidate will collaborate with Finance, Tax, Legal, Development, and Capital Markets on complex financings, tax equity, and new commercial structures. A CPA with Big Four experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• CPA required with active license.
• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• SOX 404 experience and Big Four background.
• Experience researching and applying U.S. GAAP with memoranda.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s U.S. GAAP subject matter expert.
• Lead quarterly and annual GAAP financial statements and disclosures.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and policy manuals.
• Coordinate with external auditors on technical accounting matters.
• Evaluate new standards and lead implementation efforts.
• Partner with deal teams on accounting implications of strategic transactions.
• Strengthen internal controls and scalable close/reporting processes.

Skills

CPA license

Big Four experience

SOX knowledge

Technical accounting expertise

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory reporting

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Job description

Company Overview:

GridStor is a rapidly growing, grid-scale energy storage developer, owner and operator backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”) and led by experienced clean energy industry professionals. We acquire and develop battery storage projects in markets across North America.

GridStor’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free, resilient grid by rapidly deploying stand-alone energy storage at scale.

GridStor is based in Portland, Oregon, and offers competitive compensation and a wide selection of benefits including unlimited paid time off.

Role Summary:

GridStor is looking for an experienced Director, Technical Accounting and External Reporting to join our team. The Director of Technical Accounting and External Reporting is a key leadership role within the Finance organization, responsible for elevating the company's accounting capabilities to institutional-grade standards. Reporting to the VP Controller, this individual will serve as the company's technical accounting expert while helping develop accounting policies, strengthen financial reporting processes, and prepare the organization for continued growth.

As GridStor continues to expand its operating portfolio, execute increasingly sophisticated financing structures, and pursue strategic growth opportunities, its accounting and reporting environment will become more complex. This role is an investment in building a best-in-class finance organization that provides timely, accurate, and technically sound financial information to management, investors, lenders, and auditors.

This position is ideal for a CPA with significant Big Four public accounting experience who enjoys solving complex accounting issues, partnering with business leaders, and building scalable accounting infrastructure within a fast-growing renewable energy company.

The Director will work closely with Finance, Tax, Legal, Development, Commercial, Capital Markets, and executive leadership on strategic transactions including project acquisitions, tax equity financings, debt financings, and new commercial structures.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Accounting

• Serve as the company's subject matter expert on U.S. GAAP.
• Research, document, and conclude on complex accounting matters.
• Develop accounting policies and maintain the company's accounting policy manual.
• Prepare technical accounting memoranda supporting significant accounting conclusions.
• Evaluate new accounting standards and lead implementation efforts.
• Coordinate with external auditors on technical accounting matters.

External Financial Reporting

• Lead the preparation of quarterly and annual GAAP financial statements, including related disclosures and supporting documentation.
• Improve financial statement disclosures and reporting quality.
• Ensure accounting documentation supports lender, investor, and audit requirements.
• Support board, lender, investor, and management reporting by ensuring financial information is accurate, well-documented, and aligned with GAAP reporting requirements.

Strategic Transactions

• Partner with deal teams to evaluate accounting implications of complex strategic transactions.
• Evaluate accounting implications of project and platform acquisitions, asset sales, and joint ventures.
• Support project financings, including tax equity structures and debt facilities.
• Advise on new commercial contract structures and other complex strategic transactions.

Internal Controls

• Help design and strengthen internal accounting controls.
• Support implementation of scalable close and reporting processes.
• Assist in developing controls, documentation, and process discipline that support future SOX readiness.
• Identify opportunities to automate accounting processes.

Qualifications & Competencies:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required and active CPA license.
• Experience: 6+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• SOX 404 experience.
• Public accounting experience with a Big Four firm, including experience at the manager level or above.
• Experience with project finance and tax equity structures.
• Demonstrated experience researching and applying technical accounting guidance under U.S. GAAP, including preparation of technical accounting memoranda.
• Strong project management skills.
• Preferred Experience: Renewable energy or infrastructure experience.
• Experience accounting for derivatives and hedge accounting.
• Experience with consolidation and variable interest entities.
• M&A accounting experience.
• Experience implementing accounting systems or process improvements.
• Experience working with private equity-backed companies.
• SEC reporting experience is a plus.
• Location & Availability: Preference to be based in Portland and available to work GridStor’s hybrid schedule of 3 days per week in office, but will consider remote candidates.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational abilities with keen attention to detail. Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and seeing delegated projects through to completion.
• Leadership: Demonstrate exceptional professional judgment, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Communicate complex accounting issues clearly and serve as a trusted advisor on technical matters.
• Balance technical excellence with practical business solutions while improving processes and controls.
• Help build an accounting organization capable of supporting rapid company growth and future capital markets activities.
• Adaptability: Ability to be agile and flexible, readily taking on tasks outside the typical scope of the role as needed.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle highly confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Integrity & Judgment: Strong track record of excellent judgment and integrity in previous roles.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and TEAMS.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-Solving: Adaptable, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and approach challenges with a creative, proactive mindset.
• Team Orientation: Highly motivated to support and collaborate with team members, contributing to collective success.

Compensation and Benefits:

• GridStor offers an attractive Total Rewards package, including:
  • Competitive base salaries commensurate with experience with an annual cash bonus (based on Company and individual performance)
  • Generous paid leave
  • Employee participation in Long Term Incentive Plan
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including coverage for domestic partners and eligible domestic partner children
  • HSA/FSA for participating employees
  • 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting
  • Continuing education and professional development
  • Cellphone reimbursement, hybrid work environment, healthy snacks, volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more.

Company Operating Principles:

GridStor’s Operating Principles represent who we are, how we work, and what we believe.

We Collaborate. We believe trust is given, not earned. We honor each other’s zone of genius and seek to challenge ideas, not each other. We listen to each other’s points of view and work hard to find the better solution. We are one team.

We Are Humble. We like hard work, but don’t make work hard. We know we have a lot to learn and never grandstand or take up all the space in the room. We are kind. We are welcoming. We are inspired by our mission to decarbonize the grid.

We Create the Future. We are curious. We go deep, search for the best idea, and then move fast. We always focus on the few things that matter most. We know there will be setbacks, so we show up every day ready to learn and be better, together.

We Show Up for Each Other. We keep each other fully informed. We seek to understand. We coach, we don’t blame. We share our points of view and seek to make each other better every day. We believe everyone creates culture in every moment, every day.

We Do Hard Things. We view challenges as opportunities. We are resilient. We are all owners, and we act like it. We understand change requires taking risks and we push ourselves and our partners. We do what is right as opposed to what might be best for any one of us.