Accounting Consultant - General Accounting Lead

Accounting Consultant - General Accounting Lead 

Non-Union Position
General Accounting; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)  

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents. 
Regular FT 
Posting # 4917  

 

About Us:

 

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.  

 

In addition to environmental stewardship, We’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.
 

The Role:

 

This is a key position leading the General Accounting team. The position is responsible for overseeing the month end closing and internal reporting process. The position also oversees the General Accounting team and will work closely across the accounting department and various business departments, with internal and external auditors and upper management including Executives. This position is in charge of the accounting system software (SAP) and other accounting tools.

Day to Day:

 

• Direct and oversee the Company month-end general ledger closing and internal reporting processes.
• Lead the general accounting team including overseeing and training 3 team members; group is responsible for O&M, benefits accounting (Payroll overheads, worker’s compensation, bonus estimates, deferred compensation), vehicle accounting, misc. receivables, allocations, shared services and intercompany, P-card and travel.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable Supervisor and review and approve related journal entries, accounting, and reporting deliverables.
• Responsible for overseeing, owning, and maintaining the accounting system software (SAP) on behalf of the accounting team, including master file data and acting as the Accounting SAP subject matter expert.
• Responsible for owning other accounting tools including Blackline and Concur.
• Review monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and other work performed by the general accounting team.
• Analyze and present monthly financial results to management and senior executives.
• Collaborate with the Budgeting and Financial Planning team in development of the annual Income Statement and periodic forecast updates to the Income Statement.
• Collaborate with the Rates and Regulatory team on regulatory data requests and rate cases.
• Reviews the FERC Form 2 filing and assists in overseeing the process and other regulatory filings.
• Lead the development, documentation, and implementation of process improvements for the General Accounting team including providing solutions for issues and process improvements.
• Research and document accounting issues, providing recommendations to management for resolution.
• Participate in other ad hoc technical projects, as required.
• Perform financial analysis and prepare special reports, as required.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with outside industry contacts and businesses to stay current with developing trends and best practices in accounting systems and procedures.
• Lead Bargaining Unit employees and administer and promote the philosophies and directives of the Joint Accord.
• Complete internal control procedures to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
• Demonstrate appropriate leadership and decision-making behaviors.
• Support the Company’s commitment to a culture of safe work practices.

Come on your first day with:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and CPA certificate are required.
• Strong knowledge and experience in applying U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles is required. 
• 8 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a leadership role and at least 2 years in public accounting preferred.
• Ability to work independently.
• Must combine attention to detail with the ability to envision the big picture and proven critical thinker.
• Requires demonstrated leadership experience in directing and leading a department; delegating and coordinating employee activities; skill and commitment to coaching and developing employees.
• Experience with accounting software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) is required.