Controller

Summary

Join Coast, a rapidly growing PE-backed commercial and industrial solar energy development firm, as their new Controller. Reporting to the CFO, you will be responsible for building a best-in-class accounting function, improving processes, and ensuring compliance. This role requires significant experience in accounting, particularly within the solar development and financing industry. You will manage a team, oversee financial reporting, and handle complex accounting matters related to multiple entities and financing structures. The position offers a competitive salary and annual performance bonus, and the opportunity to work remotely (with preference for Pacific or Mountain time zones). Coast fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Requirements

• 10+ years of accounting experience, including at least 5 years as a Controller or Director of Accounting
• 4+ years of solar development and/or related financing industry experience; strong preference for experience accounting for project development and construction within the commercial and industrial sector (IPP model)
• Strong knowledge of accounting for various debt financing structures (as borrower), including development, construction and term debt facilities
• Experience in accounting for inter-company entity transfers, project acquisitions and noncontrolled interest accounting
• Solid experience in managing treasury functions, including all aspects of funding projects, intercompany cash transfers and debt facility compliance reporting
• Strong tax equity accounting experience including investment structures, tax benefits and reporting
• Deep understanding of project finance, development finance activities and Power Purchase Agreements
• Ability to thrive in a high-paced, dynamic, small-company environment
• A trustworthy, empathetic, and servant-oriented leader
• CPA required, or proof of significant experience managing technical accounting and external auditors

Responsibilities

• Improve the accounting function: Elevate all aspects of corporate and solar project/portfolio accounting -- leveraging internal and external accounting talent as needed to prepare higher quality financial statements and related financial reports
• Timely closing: As leader of the accounting and reporting organization, empower greater teamwork and excellence to close the books more quickly each month for multiple entities and for multiple stakeholders (board of directors, debt providers, tax equity providers, management, etc.)
• Transition accounting in-house: Lead the continued transition of the company’s accounting function from external accountants to an in-house function, with continued utilization of some external capabilities as needed (e.g., accounts payable)
• Continue the build out of reports and key processes and functions related to the Company’s new NetSuite accounting system
• Improve Coast’s ability to track and report on project, fund-level and portfolio expenses in comparison to original budgets
• Improve existing accounting policies and create new policies as needed to ensure best practices in accounts payable, GL accounting, treasury, and reporting
• Ensure rigorous organization, security and storage of documents and data to ensure seamless access to all accounting documents and data
• Improve the quality and timeliness of the financial close process on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis through continuous improvement in processes and technology
• Create efficient processes related to multi-entity intercompany transactions, accounting and consolidation
• Develop company-wide standardized accounting procedures to drive efficiency and optimization of business processes (e.g., expense reporting, payment processing, purchase orders, etc.)
• Serve as the company’s technical accounting expert to ensure US GAAP compliance. Create high-quality accounting memos related to solar project acquisitions, debt and tax equity financing arrangements, lease accounting (e.g., ASC 842), asset acquisitions and other technical accounting matters
• Ensure timely compliance with all local, state and federal reporting and tax filing requirements

Benefits

• $200k - $225k/year + annual performance bonus
• Remote work