Financial Controller
Remote
Full Time
Experienced
About Us: Lightstar, an affiliate of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy LLC, is a leading solar energy developer that develops and sells solar assets across the US and is committed to sustainable and renewable energy solutions, is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our accounting department. As part of our growing company, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of renewable energy projects and make a positive impact on the environment.
This position is classified as remote with hybrid/in office work available given the candidate resides within a commutable distance to one of Eagle Creek's corporate offices.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting and Accounting:
Required Qualifications:
Education:
This position is classified as remote with hybrid/in office work available given the candidate resides within a commutable distance to one of Eagle Creek's corporate offices.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting and Accounting:
- Own the preparation and delivery of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with US GAAP
- Maintain the general ledger and oversee all accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliations
- Manage the chart of accounts and ensure it accurately reflects the company's project-based business model, including proper allocation of development costs by project
- Oversee capitalization policies for development costs and ensure appropriate treatment of costs incurred pre- and post-LNTP across the project portfolio
- Coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors to support annual audits and tax filings, including any partnership or pass-through reporting related to tax equity structures
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local financial reporting and tax obligations, including those arising under the Inflation Reduction Act with respect to transferable tax credits
- Maintain detailed project-level financial tracking from inception through LNTP and sale, including all development costs such as interconnection deposits, land control payments, permitting fees, and soft costs
- Manage the financial close process for project sales, coordinating with legal counsel, buyers, and counterparties to ensure accurate and timely settlement and revenue recognition
- Lead the annual budgeting process for corporate expenses and overhead, working closely with the teams across the organization to build a bottom-up budget tied to the project pipeline
- Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts that reflect the timing of development expenditures, interconnection deposits, expected LNTP sale proceeds, and tax credit transfer receipts
- Monitor actual versus budgeted development spend by project and flag variances to senior management promptly
- Design, implement, and maintain a robust internal controls framework appropriate to the size and risk profile of the business
- Establish and enforce accounting policies and procedures, with particular attention to revenue recognition on project sales, cost capitalization, and intercompany transactions
- Maintain organized and audit-ready financial records for all active, sold, and archived projects
- Support due diligence processes for project buyers, lenders, and investors by preparing and organizing financial data rooms
- Build and manage the finance and accounting team as the company scales, including hiring, training, and performance management of accounting staff
- Serve as the primary financial liaison to the development, legal, origination, and asset management teams, translating project activity into financial impacts on a real-time basis
- Support board-level financial presentations as required
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required
- CPA designation strongly preferred
- MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline is a plus
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior financial role
- Direct experience in renewable energy development, with community solar experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated understanding of the development lifecycle from site control through LNTP and project sale, including the accounting treatment of each stage
- Experience managing project-level accounting across a multi-project portfolio with varying stages of development
- Solid working knowledge of GAAP, with particular depth in revenue recognition (ASC 606) and capitalization of development costs
- Experience with Acumatica accounting software or similar platforms; experience implementing or upgrading systems in a growing company is a plus
- Familiarity with project management and development tracking methodologies used in the renewable energy industry
- Exceptional attention to detail combined with the ability to see the big picture in a fast-moving development environment
- Strong communicator who can translate complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues and present clearly to senior leadership
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and deadlines
- Self-starter who is comfortable building processes and systems in an environment that may lack established infrastructure
- Collaborative team player who works well across functions in a lean, entrepreneurial organization
- High integrity and professional judgment, particularly in managing sensitive financial information
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