Financial Controller

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. We are committed to sustainable and renewable energy solutions and are 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 if the candidate resides within a commutable distance to one of Eagle Creek's corporate offices.

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.
• Project Finance and Development Accounting:
  • 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.
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cash Management:
  • Lead the annual budgeting process for corporate expenses and overhead, working closely with 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.
• Controls, Compliance, and Process:
  • 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.
• Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Experience:
  • 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.
• Technical Skills:
  • 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.
• Soft Skills and Attributes:
  • 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.