What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Accountant position at Unitil Service Corporation?
Our Company
More than a utility company, Unitil provides energy for life.
Our work helps keep homes comfortable, businesses thriving and communities connected. Unitil is an investor-owned public utility proudly serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are dedicated to delivering energy to our customers safely and reliably.
Unitil is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success of Unitil is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity and value our employees.
Take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package.
Unitil offers competitive salaries, a consumer-driven health plan, dental and vision coverage, flexible work, company-paid holidays, a, robust, highly competitive retirement plan and educational assistance.
- Note: Benefit offerings may differ between union and non-union employee groups
Position Purpose
Unitil Corporation’s Accounting Function
Unitil Corporation (Unitil or the Company) is a public utility holding company. Unitil and its subsidiaries are subject to regulation as a holding company system by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The following companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Unitil:
- Unitil Energy Systems, Inc.,
- Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company,
- Northern Utilities, Inc.,
- Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc.,
- Unitil Power Corp.,
- Unitil Realty Corp.,
- Unitil Service Corp.,
- Unitil Resources, Inc.,
- Bangor Natural Gas
The Company has regulated distribution and transmission operations in three states and is subject to regulation by utility departments and utility commissions in those states as well as the FERC.
Accounting is responsible for the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ accounting activities as well as providing information to support internal and external financial reporting. The accounting group’s primary responsibilities include:
- Recording journal entries to appropriately capture all transactions and estimates necessary for complete and accurate financial information
- Reconciling all of the Company’s balance sheet accounts
- Preparing complete and accurate financial statements under US GAAP and other applicable standards, such as FERC guidelines, as well as providing financial information to support internal reporting for management
- Designing, implementing, and executing internal controls over financial reporting
- Supporting the Company’s regulatory activities and ensuring that the accounting consequences of all regulatory orders or actions are appropriately reflected in the Company’s accounting records
- Supporting the Company’s strategic initiatives and providing accounting, financial, and business insights
- Keeping current on all standard setting activities, including accounting, financial reporting, regulatory, and sustainability
The General Accountant works across the accounting group as well as with other groups in the Company to ensure complete and accurate financial reporting. The General Accountant will demonstrate strong technical and interpersonal skills and enjoy working in a collaborative environment as a member of a high performing accounting team.
Principal Responsibilities
Time %
Responsibilities
55%
Accounting operations:
- Perform accounting activities for Unitil and its subsidiaries including monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close activities and related journal entries, reconciliations, and roll forwards
- Ensure transactions are recorded completely and accurately and in a timely manner to facilitate financial reporting for external publication as well as internal management decision making and analysis
- Provide financial and accounting information in a timely manner to support the Company’s ongoing regulatory activities
- Responsible for the Company’s inter-company billing process, including monthly service company invoices
- Work closely with other departments, including finance and regulatory, to ensure that all relevant information has been considered in the financial statements and general ledger
- Provide timely information and insight related to the accounting consequences of regulatory initiatives or strategic investments
- Work with the Company’s external auditors during quarterly reviews and annual audits
- Provide support for regulatory reviews and audits
- May be asked to work an extended schedule to meet deadlines
35%
Reporting:
- Prepare financial statements and other financial reports in accordance with various accounting and reporting standards, including US GAAP, FERC, and SEC
- Prepare reports and provide evidentiary responses to data requests related to the requirements of or proceedings with the Company’s regulators including FERC, MDPU, NHPUC, MPUC and other regulators
- Support the Company’s sustainability reporting efforts, through preparation and review of information included in internal and external reports
- Prepare internal reports analyze actual results as well as budget comparisons
- Provide support for the Company’s annual operating and capital budgets
10%
Internal controls:
- Perform internal control activities and ensure that key controls are operating effectively and that any identified deficiencies are remediated in a timely manner
- Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls
- Develop a solid understanding of the Company’s accounting systems and leverage that understanding to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in processes, controls, and/or interaction with other groups
N/A
Storm Assignment:
- Support operations during storm restoration efforts and other system emergencies including; on-call duties to staff EOCs, outage coordination and support for customer service as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field required
- Professional certification / designation desired
- 2-4 years of accounting experience or equivalent
- Excellent attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills
Unitil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Last Updated; 03/19/25
