CFO, Vice President of Finance and Accounting

Union Rural Electric Cooperative (URE) is seeking a forward-thinking, principled financial executive to join our leadership team as Chief Financial Officer. URE is a fast-growing member owned cooperative in Marysville, Ohio.

The ideal start date is on or before September 2, 2025, allowing for a thoughtful transition alongside our current CFO.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will serve as a strategic leader and key advisor, guiding all aspects of URE’s financial planning, accounting, budgeting, and risk management efforts. This position also provides leadership for the financial activities of URE’s natural gas division.

We are looking for a mission-aligned, people-first leader who can balance operational excellence with long-term strategic vision.

Candidates must bring demonstrated expertise in finance and accounting, preferably in the electric cooperative or utility sector, along with strong analytical and communication skills. A deep commitment to transparency, ethics, and accountability is non-negotiable, as is the emotional intelligence to foster trust and collaboration across teams.

Qualified candidates will possess significant experience in financial leadership roles, a track record of building resilient teams, and the integrity to serve our member-owners with care and competence.

Position Summary:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and controls the financial and accounting activities of the Cooperative, ensuring maximum utilization of accounting personnel. This includes financial reporting, modeling, budgeting, forecasting, purchasing, warehousing, and complying with regulations and industry standards. The CFO also plays a key role in long-term financial planning, risk management, and working with the CEO and Board of Trustees on financial strategy.

Reporting Relationships:

- Reports to: CEO/President

- Direct Supervision: Controller and Warehousing and Purchasing Coordinator

Job Responsibilities:

- Financial Management: Oversees all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

- Strategic Planning: Develops and implements financial strategies to support the cooperative's long-term goals and objectives.

- Financial Analysis: Provides financial analysis and insights to support decision-making by the CEO and Board of Trustees.

- Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates financial risks, ensuring the cooperative's financial stability.

- Regulatory Compliance: Maintains overall system standards by developing programs that comply with governmental regulations and industry reporting requirements.

- Debt and Equity Management: Maintains the overall financial condition of the Cooperative by managing an appropriate balance of equity and debt working capital, cash investments and the use of short-term lines of credit. Manages long-term debt with National Rural Utility Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and assures compliance with all loan covenants.

- Rate Setting: Assists in the development and modification of retail rate schedules for all services provided by the Cooperative.

- Internal Controls: Establishes and maintains strong internal controls to safeguard the cooperative's assets.

- Leadership and Management: Leads and mentors the finance and accounting team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

- Manages financial and control activities including material management, customer and general accounting, accounts payable, financial planning, banking, and taxes.

- Serves as the main contact for all audits of financial, tax and payroll records and prepares all reports required by lenders, taxing authorities, and governmental agencies.

- Oversees physical maintenance of the cooperative warehouse and pole-yard facilities.

- Communicates and interprets the Cooperative's Mission Statement, Strategic Goals, and policies to establish direction and to obtain understanding and commitment from employees.

- As a member of the management team, this person is responsible for the provision of a full range of supervisory activities including but not limited to the selection, training, and evaluation of departmental personnel.

- Actively participates in community and civic activities using every opportunity to promote support for the cooperative’s objectives, plan, and programs.

- Provides support during major outages by assisting in any manner necessary as prescribed in the Emergency Outage Plan.

- Exercises professional courteous conduct in dealing with the members, employees, and general public.

- Maintains a safe and clean working environment by adhering to policies, procedures, and regulations.

- Assists in achieving a greater degree of teamwork by performing all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

- A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Accounting or related subject is required. CPA designation preferred but may be waived with significant applicable experience.

- At least seven years’ experience in accounting and/or finance, with a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, preferably within the electric utility industry.

Abilities & Skills:

- Expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and accounting principles.

- Understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks and accounting practices, especially the RUS uniform system of accounts.

- Must have a curious nature in order to spot irregularities in financial reports and the ability to perform analyses to explain anomalies using tools such as Microsoft Excel.

- Must be able to plan, administer, and implement internal financial control procedures.

- Must have good computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

- Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- Must be able to interact effectively with employees, customers, and the general public in a variety of situations, exercising good judgment and maintaining a positive company image.

- Must have excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

- Must be thorough and accurate.

Working Conditions:

Normal office hours are 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Additional time outside of normal hours may be required for specific projects and service interruptions. Some travel by day and overnight stay for training may be required occasionally. Most of the activities are performed sitting at a desk.

Physical Effort:

Must be able to perform the activities listed in the position description.

Classification:

This position is classified as "exempt"

Benefits:

- Paid Time Off (PTO)

- 401K (Traditional and Roth)

- Retirement Pension Plan

- Major Medical, Dental and Vision

- Long Term Disability

- Life Insurance and AD&D

- 9 Paid Holidays

- Volunteer Time Off

- Paid Parental Leave