Plant Analyst

PURPOSE:

The Plant Analyst position is responsible for maintaining accurate records regarding the type, location, and value of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation and its Subsidiary(s) distribution system assets in accordance with Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Accounting Guidelines. The Plant Analyst will perform all tasks and duties associated with the assembling, calculating, and processing of cost data for construction and retirement work orders, review materials and overhead, and other costs to accumulate totals on work orders. The Plant Analyst job duties include but are not limited to, assembling cost data for work orders, assessing accuracy of work order transactions, analyzing budget to actual for construction projects, and maintaining reconciled general fund, payroll, and capital credit bank accounts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within the limits of approved board policies, operating guides and procedures, approved work plans and budgets, and specific delegation from the Accounting Coordinator, the Plant Analyst assumes the responsibility for the following activities, recognizing the continuing responsibility of this position for developing and maintaining a favorable Cooperative image consistent with the Cooperative's Strategic Goals:

As a Plant Analyst:

• Acts as AVECC's and its Subsidiary(s) subject matter expert in plant accounting, providing training and support to all departments regarding work order procedures, accuracy in material, assembly unit, and asset recordkeeping, etc.
• Collaborates with other departments to keep appraised of workplan, current construction, and capital projects.
• Reviews all coding for work orders.
• Reviews work orders (materials, staking, labor, and cost data for construction and retirement) to ensure accuracy, research, and make corrections as needed.
• Processes and closes work orders to general ledger and prepares various reports for the month end close process such as: Work Order Closing Report and Work Order Journal Entries Update.
• Monthly balancing of Work in Progress with general ledger.
• Develops new assets and maintains current assets (Continuing Property Records (CPR) as required.
• Assist in the recording of any fixed asset transactions. This includes making any necessary transactions for the addition or retirement of special equipment, as requested.
• Provides necessary documentation for reimbursement of damages through FEMA and participates on a team that interacts with FEMA staff to develop cost data.
• Tracks open work orders to make sure jobs are completed in a timely manner.
• Works with Accounting Coordinator to analyze projects significantly over budget.
• Analyzes stale work orders and usage refunds and collaborates with Engineering and Operations to capitalize, refund, and write-off appropriate charges.
• Prepares and verifies annual tax reports for AVECC and its Subsidiary(s): e.g., APSC Tax Division
• Calculates fiber leases to Subsidiary(s).
• Assists Accounting Coordinator with external audit and consulting requests related to plant and work orders.
• Works on special projects as assigned including but not limited to general audits, , Cost of Service studies, loan documents, line extension policy review, etc.
• Presents information to Staff and to the Board of Directors, as needed by management.

General Accounting responsibilities for Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation and its Subsidiary(s):

• Assists with accounting functions, providing support and internal checks for various areas, as directed.
• Reconciles all major Cash accounts for AVECC and its Subsidiary(s); e.g., General Fund(s), Payroll(s), and Capital Credit accounts. This includes daily deposit management reconciliation activities.
• Maintains and analyzes Capital Credit general ledger accounts on a routine basis.
• Providing journal entries and cash transfers monthly.
• Analyzes various other general ledger accounts as necessary.
• Records Subsidiary(s) intercompany monthly invoices, payments, leases, and other transactions.
• Monitors, analyzes, and reconciles fuel file data. Maintains vehicle mileage and posts time to vehicles as necessary.
• Keeps current in changes in office procedures and government regulations which require a change in methods used to complete certain areas of this job.
• Ensures accurate records are maintained in accordance with records retention policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Skills:

• Ability to learn RUS specifications for underground and overhead construction standards, including ability to interpret construction drawings/maps.
• Comprehension of basic accounting skills, such as capitalization vs. expensing, journal entry-ing, account reconciliations, etc.
• Detail oriented, analytical thinking, problem solving, professional attitude, and reliable.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

Abilities:

• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel and/or other data analysis tools
• Ability to work effectively with employees and the public.
• Project management skills for managing daily, monthly, and annual job processes/projects.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position requires indoor office working conditions. Normal working hours will be scheduled Monday through Friday between the limits of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

4 years of accounting/cost analysis-related experience

Knowledge of basic accounting principles