Supv, Utility Accounting

The responsibilities of the Utility Accounting Supervisor will include the coordination of monthly close and communicating with customers inside and outside of the close process.  Provide day to day direction of Staff Accountant work in conjunction with Utility Accounting Manager by answering questions as well as providing backup/support to other accounting team members as needed.  Review of the monthly Distribution Operations and individual Utility financial statements/reports and ensure they are delivered to management timely and are accurate and GAAP compliant, which includes review of the journal entries and account reconciliations of the Staff Accountants and provide guidance and correcting journal entries as required.  Assist with Regulatory data requests and reporting requirements.  Assist with preparation or review of internal and external auditors with information required to perform annual and quarterly audits.  Assist with preparation or review of any quarterly and year-end financial schedules required for our SEC filings.    This role must work well with strict deadlines.  This role will manage direct reports.

Job Responsibilities & Accountabilities by Competency

Criticality:

Functional Expertise:     

• Seasoned specialist in their field.       
• Help coordinate the Financial Close Process for Utility Accounting, including some oversight of the process, setting and communicating deadlines, defining responsibilities, as well as reacting to and developing solutions for close-related issues as they arise in the process         
• Manage and ensure the accuracy of financial statements for individual utilities and the Distribution Operations segment, including analytical reviews of financial statements and account reconciliations.        
• Review complex transactions via journal entries; determine and make appropriate adjustments.        
• Perform and/or reviews complex general ledger account reconciliations; analyze and research outstanding items/issues.
• Generate and/or review standard and non-standard reports; analyze data; test for reasonableness.  
• Prepare and/or review data requests, reports and schedules related to Southern Company Gas utilities data for regulatory agencies (ICC, FERC, etc.)
• Create and/or review supporting schedules for financial statements and footnotes included in SEC filings such as Form 10-K/10-Qs as well as, the subsidiary standalone financial statements. 
• Participate on special projects as requested. 

Business Acumen:           

• Calculate, review, and analyze financial information relating to specialty area (e.g., general ledger, plant accounting, gas accounting, revenue accounting); analyzes variances; use professional judgment and expertise to perform complex estimates and calculations.      
• Provide well-developed professional expertise and decision-making abilities. 
• Provide guidance and training to Staff Accountants regarding areas of functional expertise.
• Monitor and analyze expenditures and balance sheet variances.         
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize.      
• Independently and creatively solve problems.

Engagement:     

• Work with customers (internal and external) to resolve problems; answer questions and provide accounting guidance and recommendations.
• Assist internal customers with recommendations on recording transactions; explain the impact to the general ledger and financial statements.       
• Lead staff selection and development            
• Collaborate and build effective relationships with stakeholders          
• Assist internal customers with recommendations on recording transactions; explain the impact to the general ledger and financial statements.       

Driving Results: 

• Lead day-to-day functions of general ledger 
• Implement process and system changes as necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the general ledger, development of financial results and internal and external reports
• Responsible for monitoring progress against goals/deliverables; hold self and others accountable for results          
• Follow organizational policies and procedures            
• Provide continuous process improvement suggestions and assists with implementations necessary.  

Qualifications

Education, Certifications/Licenses: 

Required:

• BA/BS degree in Accounting

Preferred:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Master’s degree

Related Work Experience:

Required:

• 6+ years advanced accounting experience performing complex financial analysis and research

Preferred:

• Natural gas industry experience

Specific Skills & Knowledge: 

Required:

• Advance knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, including the ability to critically think and present new or creative solutions
• Common ERP (e.g. Oracle, SAP etc.) and reporting knowledge/abilities – advanced proficiency Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills
• Team player and with the ability to work independently 
• Ability to work in an organized, detailed manner under tight deadline

Preferred:

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

Travel Requirements: 

• Infrequent Traveler (0-5% travel): The incumbent may be required to travel on a very limited basis.  Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights.