RFP Analyst, Sr. jobs in Oakland, CA

About Ava Community Energy 

Ava Community Energy (Ava) is the Community Choice energy service provider for customer accounts across Alameda County and the City of Tracy. Ava’s charter is to provide its customers with low carbon, cost-effective electricity that integrates innovative energy products and maximizes local benefits through the development of local solutions, ranging from increasing access to rooftop solar to supporting the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Culture and Commitment to Diversity 

Ava believes in a vibrant culture that supports and nurtures a workplace that offers every individual the opportunity to attain professional goals and contribute to accomplishing our mission. We foster a culture of open communication, responsibility, curiosity, accountability, and teamwork. We want creative problem solvers that are excited to work in an entrepreneurial environment and grow our organization!  

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of our service area’s rich culture and communities. We welcome a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and skills. 

We strongly encourage people of all characteristics to apply and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type based on age, religion, color, gender identity or expression, race, ancestry, or national origin, religion or creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics, and those with a disability as protected by federal, state and local laws.

Position Summary

Ava is seeking to hire a full-time Finance Analyst II or Sr. Analyst, reporting to the Sr. Manager of Finance to manage the cash operations aspect of the organization. Ava is looking for candidates that can step up into a dynamic role that is at the heart of financial operations.  We need someone who can track collateral and accounts, knows their way around financial statements, understands a general ledger and chart of accounts, can verify data for financial models, thrives on ad-hoc requests, and wants to be in the room with financial operations of a leading organization making a difference for California electricity.  

Position Details

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Cash Management Operations: Oversee almost the entirety of Ava cash transactions, particularly in the areas of

• Collateral tracking, management, and scheduling

• Account monitoring, statement review, and AR/AP tracking

• Maintaining accurate transaction logs for credit card and bank accounts

• Invoice reconciliation, statement confirmations, and approval management

• Manage all aspects of direct payments

• Support finance leadership with financial forecasts and goals

• Analyze current and past trends of key financial performance indicators

• Prepare reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends

• Manage financial transactional performance reporting

• Accounts Payable and Financial Services:

• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of accounts payable: receive and verify accounts payable invoices were recorded into the accounting system

• Track accounts receivables and follow up with late payments as needed

• Manage the monthly bill pay system, ensuring continued operations at the office

• Receive and review purchase orders, check requests, and/or other related documentation for completeness and compliance with financial policies, procedures, and contractual requirements

• Assist with the execution of timely monthly, quarterly, half-year, and year-end financial close, including verifying mapping of assigned approvers, account reconciliations, accruals, and overall maintenance of all operational management accounts

• Comfortable reading contracts and identifying relevant financial terms

• Review, audit, and process employee expense reimbursements; verify the accuracy of expenses and adherence to agency policies

• Assist with the execution of general ledger account reconciliations, verifying the accuracy of data and reports, and identifying and correcting errors as appropriate

• Follow-up on account statements and other discrepancies regarding payment of accounts; serve as a liaison between departments and vendors in the resolution of administrative problems and inquiries

• Special projects: 

• Support staff with or take the lead on other projects related to Finance or similar areas

• Recommend areas for improvement and lead projects to enhance the reporting and analytical infrastructure

• Review current process documentation and draft missing task procedure checklists

• Other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in finance, energy, utilities, business, or similar field, or a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience without degree

• Experience with the Jira and Confluence software systems desired

• Strong analytical and tactical experience

• A broad understanding of both finance and business operations with knowledge of basic accounting principles

• Take responsibility, think critically, and act proactively

• Comfortable making cold calls to counter party vendors and banking partners

• Demonstrate patience, tact, and courtesy in interactions with internal staff and external parties

• Strong attention to detail

• Ability to prioritize and multitask

• Ability to adjust between working independently on projects with minimum supervision, and participate fully with a team with strong guidance

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, and Office 360

• Experience with Google Looker Studio or dashboard is highly desirable, but not essential

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $97,853-$108,617 with a total compensation of up to $103,725-$117,307 based on performance. The exact compensation package offered will be dependent on candidate experience.    

Ava offers a generous benefits package which includes: 

• Zero cost Individual, family, and domestic partner health insurance (medical, dental, vision) 

• Life and AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD 

• Retirement with Employer Matching

• Social Security deferment plan  

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Commuter Benefits

• Fertility & Adoption Benefits

• Pet Insurance

• Mental Health Support

• Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care accounts) 

• Paid Volunteer Days

• And More!

Location and Working Conditions 

This position will be based in Ava headquarters in Oakland, near BART. Ava's team has a hybrid approach inclusive of in-office and remote work. This role is expected to go into the office Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Wednesday of the month. We are not providing relocation or sponsorships currently.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ava is dedicated to reasonably accommodate an applicant for known physical or mental disabilities so that the applicant may participate in the application process.  We will engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with any employee with a known physical or mental disability to identify potential reasonable accommodations, if any, to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of their position. 

• General office environment is primarily sedentary work which requires the following physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, reaching, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. 

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

• The noise level is usually moderate. 

Licenses/Certificates 

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver’s license or the ability to provide alternate transportation and a safe driving record. 

Working at Ava Community Energy 

Ava is committed to complying with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disability Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. Ava prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), genetic information or characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.

The information contained herein has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The information also does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.