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Chief Accounting Officer

Bellevue, WA

 

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.”

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

 

 

Chief Account Officer (CAO)

TerraPower is seeking an accomplished Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) to lead the company's accounting, financial reporting, controllership, internal controls functions. CAO will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a world class accounting organization capable of supporting a rapidly growing, highly regulated, and capital-intensive business.

As TerraPower advances commercialization of its advanced nuclear technologies, the CAO will provide strategic leadership over financial reporting, accounting operations, and finance transformation initiatives. This role will ensure

the integrity of the company's financial information while building scalable infrastructure to support future growth, complex project execution, government-funded programs, and Finance uplift initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical accounting expertise, extensive SEC reporting experience, a strong internal controls background, and a proven track record leading accounting organizations within large, complex public companies or organizations preparing for public market requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Accounting Leadership

  • Lead all global accounting functions, including general ledger, consolidations, project accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial reporting.
  • Serve as the company's principal accounting executive and trusted advisor to the CFO, extended executive leadership team, and Board on accounting, reporting, and financial control matters.
  • Build and develop a high-performing accounting organization capable of supporting significant organizational growth and operational complexity.
  • Establish strategic priorities, operating metrics, and organizational goals for the accounting function. Financial Reporting & SEC Compliance
  • Oversee the preparation, review, and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
  • Lead all external financial reporting activities, including preparation and review of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, earnings support schedules, and other SEC filings.
  • Direct the preparation of Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A), footnote disclosures, and technical accounting position papers.
  • Ensure compliance with SEC regulations, FASB guidance, and evolving accounting standards.
  • Monitor emerging accounting and regulatory developments and assess organizational impact.
  • Serve as the executive sponsor for public company readiness initiatives and ongoing compliance requirements.

Technical Accounting & Corporate Transactions

  • Provide executive oversight of all technical accounting matters, including complex revenue recognition, equity compensation, capitalization, debt instruments, lease accounting, business combinations, joint ventures, government funding arrangements, and strategic transactions.
  • Lead accounting assessments and due diligence activities related to acquisitions, partnerships, financing activities, and capital projects.
  • Prepare and review technical accounting memoranda supporting significant accounting positions and judgments.
  • Partner closely with legal, tax, treasury, and external advisors on complex transactions.

Internal Controls & SOX Governance

  • Design, implement, and maintain a robust internal control environment supporting accurate financial reporting and operational effectiveness.
  • Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance programs.
  • Oversee risk assessments, control design, testing, remediation activities, and management certifications.
  • Partner with Internal Audit and external auditors to continuously improve the controls environment.
  • Drive a culture of accountability, transparency, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Project Accounting & Government Programs

  • Oversee accounting and reporting for large-scale engineering, construction, infrastructure, and development projects.
  • Ensure compliance with accounting requirements related to government grants, cooperative agreements, cost-share arrangements, and federal funding programs.
  • Partner with project controls, engineering, procurement, and operations leadership to enhance project financial visibility and performance reporting.
  • Develop scalable project accounting processes supporting long-duration capital programs.

Key Qualifications and Skills 

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • Active CPA license.
  • Minimum 18+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
  • Minimum 10+ years of leadership experience overseeing large accounting and financial reporting organizations.
  • Significant experience serving as Chief Accounting Officer, VP Accounting, Assistant Controller, Corporate Controller, or equivalent executive-level role within a public company environment.
  • Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, technical accounting, consolidations, and financial statement preparation.
  • Extensive experience preparing and reviewing SEC filings, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K.
  • Demonstrated experience leading Sarbanes-Oxley compliance programs and internal controls over financial reporting.
  • Proven success managing external audits and working directly with Big Four audit firms.
  • Strong executive presence with experience presenting to senior leadership, executive committees, and Boards of Directors.
  • Experience building scalable accounting infrastructure in rapidly growing organizations

Preferred

  • Experience within energy, utilities, nuclear, engineering, construction, aerospace, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, or other capital-intensive industries.
  • Experience supporting organizations with significant project accounting complexity and long-duration development programs.
  • Experience with government contracting, Department of Energy programs, federal grants, or cost-share agreements.
  • Experience supporting public company transformations, spin-offs, mergers, or large-scale corporate transactions.
  • Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP, enterprise consolidation systems, and advanced reporting technologies.
  • Experience leading global accounting organizations and multinational operations.

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic and forward-thinking executive leader.
  • Exceptional technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.
  • Strong business partnership and influencing skills.
  • Proven ability to lead through growth, transformation, and organizational change.
  • High degree of integrity, sound judgment, and professional credibility.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to build, mentor, and retain exceptional finance talent.

 

 

Job Functions:

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

  • Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
  • Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Repetitive work: Prolonged
  • Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
  • Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
  • Travel required 0-10%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job Details: 

Salary Range: $216,695 - $ 325,042

*We typically place offers in the lower to middle portion of the range to maintain internal equity and allow room for growth. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

  • Competitive Compensation
  • Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
  • Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
    •   Medical
    •   Vision
    • Dental
    • Life and Disability
    • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  • Parental Leave
  • 401k Plan
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
  • Generous Holiday Schedule
    • 10 paid holidays
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/

 

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