Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America's Best Small Employers.Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.We have an exciting opportunity open for a Principal Regulatory Accountant with the ability to work remote from any of the following states: AR, OK, MO, ME, TX, SC, TN, KS, FL, NJ, NY or LA.POSITION SUMMARY:This position will assume a lead role in the Regulatory Accounting department reporting to the Manager of Regulatory Accounting and will work closely with other groups including Regulatory, Legal, other Accounting areas, Gas Supply, and FP&A. The position will be responsible for the compiling and analyzing the financial data to support all monthly and annual regulatory filings for the utility companies at Summit Utilities, Inc. This role will assist accounting teams with the proper coding of transactions according to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission uniform system of accounts and support the Regulatory departments.PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Review financials to assess the proper recording of utility company accounting transactions
- Partner with the Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Finance & Rates departments to support company initiatives for regulatory processes and rate setting
- Review data prepared by other Analysts in response to rate case data requests
- Comply with all FERC accounting requirements, guidance, policies, procedures and applicable laws
- Partner with Accounting staff to ensure the correct application of FERC accounting classifications and guidelines
- Complies with federal, state and local legal requirements by staying current with existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation and advising senior management on needed actions
- Support the implementation of financial and ancillary software systems pertaining to responsible areas
- Provide leadership and guidance to co-workers ensuring that all deliverables are completed in accordance with associated deadlines
- Analyze and correct ERP system errors related to FERC
- Prepare all required journal entries in accordance with the deadlines per the close calendar
- Prepare and/or review all monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations
- Complete assigned external reports
- Prepare the jurisdictional annual financial statements
- Accurately apply tariff rules and contract terms to financial calculations
- Recognize trends and identify material errors in accounts or financial reports
- Identify and coordinate data and system issues working closely with the Information Systems department on problem resolution, enhancements, testing, and data verification
- Work collaboratively with Regulatory Affairs to provide support for regulatory requests
- Respond to data requests and assist with data collection and organization for rate cases
- Assist in the preparation and review of rate cases, annual cost of gas adjustments, and other regulatory commission requests.
- Support the successful completion of the interim and annual financial statement audits
- Other Ad-hoc requests pertaining to regulatory accounts and filings
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's Degree in accounting or finance required
- Advance degree preferred
- 7+ years of similar, progressive experience required
- 3+ years Regulated utility or Public Service Commission experience required
- Prior natural gas utility Accounting or Regulatory experience preferred
- Proficiency in the use of Excel required
- CPA, CIA, or Paralegal certification is a plus
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Excellent understanding of the workings of a utility company including the effects regulatory agencies exhibit on the company
- Must demonstrate a strong grasp of regulated utility accounting
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles (GAAP)
- Strong analytical skills, with ability to analyze data and historical trends to determine reasonableness and accuracy of entries and financial results
- Ability to maintain motivation and focus to complete tasks within required timelines
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks within tight timeframes
- Possesses strong organizational and project-planning skills
- Work requires professional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well remotely in a team and independently
- Ability to negotiate with varied individuals among the staff of the various commissions and other governmental groups that regulate the company
- Ability to clearly and credibly articulate complex information to a variety of internal and external constituencies.
Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home. Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.