Job Overview

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will manage the Finance and IT teams, reporting directly to the CEO and will serve as the Treasurer for the organization.

The CFO will lead all finance-related reporting, data analysis, problem-solving and finance-related interactions with CEO and the executive staff. The CFO will partner with the IT Manager and outsourced IT provider to oversee the information technology function. The CFO will work with CEO and other members of the executive staff on strategic issues as they arise and provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.

The CFO oversees direct reports currently comprised of three internal members – the Controller, Senior Director of Operations, and an IT Manager, as well as the outsourced IT support contractors and consultants.   

Job Duties

Financial Accounting, Reporting and Compliance

• Ensure accuracy of accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards (GASB), legislative and state requirements;
• Oversee maintenance of general ledger, including recording of complex financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and GASB, including revenue recognition, leases, and equity investment activities;
• Monitor the use and compliance requirements of funds for all MassCEC entities, including the Wind Technology Testing Center and the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal;
• Oversee the preparation of financial statements, financial reports, and ad hoc analyses, including all tax and government filings, ensuring compliance with GAAP and GASB when applicable;
• Coordinate audit activities and assist the finance team to prepare and accumulate audit support and documentation (for state, federal and independent auditors) including coordination of responses to recommendations suggested by the auditors;
• Manage the Board Audit Committee meetings, including engaging members around issues, trends and changes impacting the finance and IT functions;
• Remain well-informed of emerging and current trends in finance and information technology, including new and proposed accounting standards, ensuring the organization is following best practices;

Financial Planning

• Oversee annual and long-term budgetary process in alignment with MassCEC strategic goals, including making presentations to the CEO and Board of Directors;
• Manage cash flow and forecasting, direct all financial, project-based and departmental accounting;
• Provide and present quarterly reforecast updates to the CEO and Board of Directors, working closely with these individuals to enable them to make prudent and timely decisions;

Internal Controls and Risk Management

• Oversee the adequacy and completeness of the MassCEC’s financial and information technology structure and administration, ensuring that all necessary internal controls and reporting requirements are implemented and adhered to;
• Develop and maintain systems of internal controls to safeguard assets of the organization;
• Develop policies and procedures, and ensure strict adherence to company policies and procedures in order to mitigate fraud;
• Ensure organizational risks including information security and cyber security are properly mitigated through internal controls, insurance and other means;
• Work with legal team to assess the risks and benefits of prospective contracts and advise the executive staff on programmatic design and implementation matters;
• Serve as the trustee of the organization's savings and retirement plans;
• Work with Human Resources to evaluate and oversee all employee benefits and compensation policies;
• Work with MassCEC’s investment adviser and investment committee to provide direction and oversee the investments of MassCEC’s trusts’ assets;
• Information Technology
• Supervise IT Manager and outsourced IT provider to oversee the information technology function, including internal controls and information security;

Other

• Supervise the Controller and Senior Director of Operations;
• Manage primary outside vendor relationships for accounting and tax, banking, insurance, investment adviser, and other consulting agreements; 
• Maintain effective working relationships with external partners; and
• Other tasks as directed by the CEO.

Position Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business, or related field.
• Advanced degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business, or related field is preferred, but not required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required.

Experience:

• Senior financial professional with twelve or more years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility, with experience in the clean energy industry preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Experience at an accounting firm coupled with experience as a senior financial professional at a venture capital/private equity firm with multiple funds is preferred;
• Applicants must have a strong foundation in accounting, and experience establishing financial reporting and systems, procedures and internal controls;
• Applicants must have experience building and managing both capital and operating budgets, and must possess excellent modeling and forecasting skills;
• Interest in clean energy, including investing in clean energy companies, and a demonstrated aptitude to understand complex technologies, innovations and business concepts as well as market opportunities and challenges is preferred;
• Desire to work in a dynamic and mission-driven environment;
• Demonstrated ability to obtain and review complex information and clearly articulate conclusions and associated recommendations;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Excellent problem-solving, relationship-building and negotiation skills;
• Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment;
• Strong leadership skills, including experience managing staff and a commitment to help develop team members;
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and act with the highest levels of integrity and ethics;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively; and
• Must be able to comply with MassCEC’s Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Policy (requiring either full vaccination or the grant of an exemption prior to commencement of employment) developed in response to Executive Order 595.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), as a quasi-public entity, plays a critical role in fostering the success of our state’s clean energy sector. MassCEC’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy and climate solution innovation that is critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals, advancing Massachusetts’ position as an international climate leader while growing the state’s clean energy economy.

MassCEC undertakes targeted programmatic initiatives to accelerate cost reductions in clean energy, help consumers diversify their energy choices and address evolving energy needs, leverage public and private funds to drive investment into this rapidly growing sector, and scale-up renewable energy deployment across the state.

MassCEC is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone is welcomed, supported, respected, and valued. We are committed to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice in all aspects of our work in order to promote the equitable distribution of the health and economic benefits of clean energy and support a diverse and inclusive clean energy industry. MassCEC strives to lead and innovate in equitable clean energy and climate solutions.