Project Accountant

Company Description Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.

Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.

Job Description

Apex Clean Energy is seeking a Project Accountant to support all aspects of project cost accounting and financial reporting for Apex’s utility-scale renewable energy projects. This role will focus on accounting for projects in the operations phase, monitoring the costs as they accumulate for the various projects, preparing financial statements for project entities, assisting other departments to help review spends associated with project entities, and assisting with corporate level activities and internal controls.

This position is central to our projects and critical to tackling challenging and complex accounting and business tasks, providing fiscally responsible accounting practices for each of our project entities. Reporting to our Operations Controller and Asset Management Accounting Manager, this role will be joining an innovative and nimble accounting team and be immersed in the full life cycle process of utility-scale wind and solar projects. Working to manage project level financial statements within the operations process, you’ll act as the accounting connection between internal teams and stakeholders.

Our ideal candidate is coachable and ready to learn the ins and outs of fiscally responsible project accounting processes and methods, project financials, financial statements, and financial reports. Our ideal candidate is also excited about the potential of operating independently upon demonstrating measurable results and the ability to enhance the work. This is an exciting opportunity to elevate Apex’s brand as a leader within the industry, amplify project efforts, and help advance projects from early days to realization.

The right candidate will be a hands-on, hard-working team player who can jump in and support projects from a variety of angles. The Project Accountant position requires equally excellent communication and technical skills as well as the ability to work well under pressure, multitask, and be flexible about shifting priorities. A passion for renewable energy is a must.

• Hours: Full Time
• Type: Exempt
• Department: Accounting
• Travel: 5%
• Office Location: Headquarters in Charlottesville, VA

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Asset Management Accounting team with multiple wind, solar or storage projects.
• Prepare monthly accounting closing entries (full cycle accounting close) on allocated projects.
• Reconcile GL accounts on a monthly basis as part of the monthly close process.
• Read and understand contracts relevant to allocated projects to ensure proper accounting in accordance with GAAP (debt, financial instruments, revenue, etc.).
• Perform monthly P&L budget to actual analysis.
• Manage project cash accounts, including but not limited to bank reconciliations, updating cash forecasts, and calculating required distributions as applicable.
• Analyze actual operating expenses in comparison to cash forecasts and budget.
• Review invoices for proper GL coding and accuracy.
• Review accounts payable in correlation with cash management to determine invoices to pay during weekly wire/check runs.
• Prepare project level financial statements, including consolidated financial statements on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Prepare annual financial statements (unconsolidated and consolidated) with required financial statement note disclosures (as required to be audited).
• Prepare annual operating budgets in close coordination with the Asset Managers.
• Provide supporting documentation to external auditors.
• Prepare required deliverables on a timely basis in accordance with all applicable contracts.
• Assist Asset Management Operations Controller and Accounting Manager with reconciling annual tax returns of allocated projects.
• Support systems implementations and data integrity.

Qualifications

Success Profile

To succeed as a Project Accountant at Apex Clean Energy, you’ll need to excel within the following criteria:

• Internship and/or 1-2 years in project accounting related role preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically a strong working knowledge of Excel
• Working knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting
• Experience in Microsoft Dynamics SL preferred
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet simultaneous deadlines
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to take initiative, be responsible for outcomes, and follow through
• Creative, outside-the-box thinking and willingness to operate in a nimble, flexible environment
• Proven ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Work from our headquarters in Charlottesville, VA (post-COVID)

Additional Information

Work Environment:

Works primarily traditional office hours in an indoor office environment. Flexible work hours allowed when work duties and business operations permit.

How You’ll Grow

At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.

What Apex Can Offer You

• A mission-driven, energetic environment
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
• Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
• Base and bonus commensurate with experience
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
• Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts

At this time, Apex will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.