Job Description

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer owned electric cooperatives across the country.  NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence.  As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation.

Position Summary:

Leads and directs the Insurance and Financial Services (I&FS), Finance and Accounting Team, which provides comprehensive finance and accounting services related to NRECA’s complex multiple employer health & welfare and retirement plans (the “Plans”) with over $25 billion in net assets. Directs the preparation of all financial reports and tax returns for the Plans in accordance with GAAP, ERISA, and IRS code. Provides oversight for all of the financial functions of I&FS and the Plans. Provides leadership and ensures collaboration for the submission of information and ongoing monitoring of certain external third party service providers to the Plans including the trustee/custodial bank, independent fiduciaries, independent accounting firms, external auditing firms, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and directs the I&FS Finance and Accounting Team, which provides accounting guidance and financial services to the I&FS department regarding the diverse and complex NRECA multiple employer defined benefit and 401(k) retirement plans, as well as the health & welfare plan. Sets team strategy and works with direct reports on establishing priorities, setting goals and providing service excellence to NRECA leaders and departments.
• Leads and manages the financial and tax reporting, as well as the day-to-day activities, of the I&FS Finance & Accounting Team. Oversees the team administration of accounting, financial reporting and tax reporting/monitoring requirements for the Plans and Cooperative Benefit Administrators (CBA), a wholly owned subsidiary company of NRECA. Manages the relationship with the trustee/custodial bank for the Plans to ensure the assets of the Plans are safeguarded and accurately accounted for.
• Oversees the methods and procedures to bill permissible administrative expenses to the Plans in accordance with specific expense methods approved and monitored by one or more independent fiduciaries, administrative service agreements between the Plans and NRECA, and ERISA and the related federal guidance. Directs the preparation and monitoring of permissible plan expense invoices, including analyzing unusual time charging trends and reconciliations. Develops and delivers staff training regarding permissible expenses. Ensures financial compliance of the Plans and coordinates/supports annual independent audit of permissible expenses billed to the Plans from NRECA and/or third party service providers. Coordinates and supports changes to and ongoing monitoring of the expense methods by one or more independent CPA firms and the independent fiduciaries.
• Serves as the senior business advisor to the fiduciary committee for the Plans, the Plan Administrator, and the NRECA CFO for Plan related activities, duties and obligations. Provides financial, compliance, and program implementation advice and information to this group and other senior leaders at NRECA. Analyzes monthly financial statements for the Plans, the I&FS department and CBA. Oversees the annual financial statement audits for the Plans and CBA. 
• Collaborates with the I&FS leadership team and advises on I&FS' strategic plans, the financial viability of new products and programs, the introduction of best practices, and financial forecasts and trends. Attends and presents at the quarterly meetings of the fiduciary committee for the Plans and serves as Treasurer of the board for CBA. Manages the planning and preparation of the separate annual budgets for the I&FS department and each of the mutiple employer Plans.
• Serves as a key executive in the Finance department by working with other Finance leaders, participating in decisions affecting other finance units and performing special projects.
• Responsible for the proper security and disposal of any confidential information that he or she may possess while performing this position's job duties, as well as ensuring staff compliance with security protocols in accordance with NRECA’s Personnel and Administrative Policy and HIPAA Privacy and Security Policies and Procedures Manuals.

Direct Reports to this Position:

Senior Manager - I&FS Accounting and Finance

Manager Financial Analyis – I&FS

Contracted staff as required

Qualifications

Formal Education Required:

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and additional experience. CPA designation required.

Experience and Certifications Required:

• 10 or more years of progressive accounting/finance/budgeting experience in employee benefit plans.
• 5 or more years business and people management experience.
• Prior experience in Public Accounting and in the Employee Benefit Plan Administration industry (Group Insurance Plans and Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Retirement Plans) and an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ERISA regulations and financial compliance.
• Experience serving as a financial advisor to executive management and Board of Directors.
• Experience successfully managing competing deadlines and multiple projects at various stages of development using effective organization skills and attention to detail.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required (as demonstrated by prior work experience):

• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage time, multi-task, operate under pressure and prioritize projects (or work) using effective organization skills.
• Proven track record of exercising judgment and discretion in the execution of all duties and responsibilities.
• Superior collaboration skills, proven track record of successfully working with a wide variety of people to deliver results by fostering cooperation in sharing information and materials.
• Emotionally intelligent interpersonal skills, customer service orientation and ability to succefully lead and work in a team environment.
• Ability to conceptualize, produce and disseminate high-quality materials.
• Ability to lead people and foster collaborative skills and consensus building while operating in a fast-moving environment as demonstrated by prior work experience.
• Ability to effectively interact with others and work in a team environment and providing follow-up when needed.
• Ability to define issues, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and apply to work environment.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) and to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
• Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.
• Ability to report to the office as required.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

Additional Requirement:

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail [email protected] or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 'Know Your Rights' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement". 

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify.

For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop.