Lead Accountant

Are you an experienced Accountant with the ability to lead in a complex and dynamic environment? The utility industry is quickly advancing in a heavily regulated environment. We are looking for someone who adapts quickly to changes and looks forward to learning new processes.

What you will do:

• Responsible for accounting research, analysis, and compliance or consolidation projects.

•  Provide technical leadership, training and guidance to less experienced accountants.

•  Prepare complex financial statements and perform account reconciliations.

•  Participate in month and year end closing activities.

•  Ensure financial statement compliance with GAAP, FERC, and SEC requirements.

•  Deal with very complex accounting transactions and determines compliance requirements.

•  Complete/Review responses to regulatory data requests and reviews rate case adjustments.

What you bring:

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Accounting or related field.
• 8 years experience in accounting, including public accounting experience.
• CPA preferred.
• Experience with accounting systems and query tools, preferably Oracle and OneStream.

*Full job description

Position Description

This position is in the Financial Accounting department and their primary function is to maintain accounting records in accordance with applicable requirements and to prepare financial statements in a complex environment.  In addition to the Financial Accounting function, this position may support, as needed, the Controller’s Area, which is comprised of Financial Accounting, External Reporting, Accounting Systems, Plant Accounting, Energy Settlements, and Tax.  The position requires flexibility in adapting to new environments and job assignments and the ability to quickly learn new processes.   

Position-Related Responsibilities

Accountant Lead

• Maintain the accounting records and prepare financial statements in a very complex accounting environment:
• Prepares and/or reviews monthly journal entries for accuracy, compliance with applicable accounting and regulatory requirements, etc.  Analyzes the effects of transactions on various account relationships related to financial statements.
• Prepares and/or reviews account reconciliations.
• Prepares and/or reviews multi-level consolidating financial statements (income statement, indirect cash flow statement, and balance sheet), ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) guidelines, and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements.
• Participates in the preparation and review of monthly reports/analyses to Management, which includes graphs, charts and written analyses explaining financial statement fluctuations.
• Researches, recommends accounting treatment, and implements solutions on new or proposed transactions.
• Monitors activity of regulatory rule-making bodies such as FASB, SEC, FERC, etc. to identify new requirements.  Ensures timely notification to Accounting Dept., upper management, and implements procedures to comply with new requirements. 
• Develops and documents new accounting procedures and modifications to existing procedures to enhance efficiency/effectiveness and maintain internal controls.
• Provides customer service to other departments and management by advising on accounting matters and providing financial data and analysis to assist in business decisions and analysis of operating results. May include presentation of accounting concepts or operating results.
• Uses Oracle Financials accounting and query tools, Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint to develop reports and supporting accounting schedules, as necessary to aid in financial statement analysis and decision making.
• Assists in the preparation of various regulatory compliance reports, including FERC Form 1, ACC reports, SEC reports (Form 10-Q and Form 10-K-financial statements and related notes,), etc.  Ensures compliance with regulatory reporting requirements and timely completion.
• Provides services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Special Projects:

• Completes/Reviews responses to regulatory data requests (i.e. FERC and ACC) and prepares and/or reviews rate case adjustments assigned to the Financial Accounting area.  Assists in identifying rate case adjustments and regulatory issues.
• Performs additional assignments as requested such as due diligence work, systems testing, etc.
• Participates and/or leads special projects requiring accounting and financial analysis skills.

Training and Supervision:

• Designs training materials and provides training to others in a group setting or on an individual basis.
• Supervises and assigns responsibility to other accountants to enhance their professional development and provide them on-the-job training on technical issues.
• Provides timely performance feedback to employees and helps to create development plans.
• Assigns, directs and reviews the work of assigned accountants and/or other employees on projects.
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

(Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)

Lead Accountant

Has responsibility for accounting research, analysis, and compliance or consolidation projects of any size or complexity.  Effectively supervises multiple projects to successful completion.  Is a technical expert in evaluating accounting issues and is a primary source of advice/guidance; deals with very complex accounting transactions and determines compliance requirements.  Leads several complex projects at the same time and assists others on complex projects.  Provides technical leadership, training and guidance to less experienced accountants.  Exhibits leadership qualities to the entire department.  Proactively identifies accounting issues and unusual transactions in assigned areas and ensures team members focus on resolving in a timely manner. Helps team members identify significant items and prioritize workloads, and understand the impact of transactions on internal and external reporting.  Ensures team members and upper management are aware of issues.  May supervise one or more people. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting or related field with a minimum of 24 units of accounting from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Public accounting experience and CPA preferred.