Staff Accountant II

This position supports the finance department of Nicor Gas Company.  The focus is on value creation by engaging in analysis, identification of issues, compilation of budgets and forecasts, and support of various financial regulatory filings.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 
Functional Expertise:
•Provides support for periodic regulatory filings, including data analysis, compilation of financial schedules, data validation and substantiation. 
•Assists with monthly rate of return and other regulatory driven analyses.
•Assists with the compilation of the Company’s annual regulatory financial report.
•Evaluates monthly ledger activity for accurate and consistent presentation of costs.  
•Assists in maintenance and preparation of the annual budget and forecasts.
•Preparation of intercompany cost studies and analyses.

Business Acumen:
•Analyzes and interprets accounting and financial data.
•Manages work independently.
•Consistently exhibits attention to detail and accuracy.
•Articulates information in a clear and concise fashion. 
•Requires an understanding of basic to intermediate accounting and financial principles.
•Flexibility to handle miscellaneous analytical ad-hoc requests.
•Develops recommendations and alternatives to meet objectives.
•Demonstrates knowledge of the business and utility industry.

Engagement:
•Collaborates with other areas of the company including accounting, financial planning & analysis, and operations in analyzing and resolving issues.
•Demonstrates independent work habits.
•Influences business decisions by sharing analyses and expertise.

Driving Results:
•Executes tasks accurately, timely and in a self-disciplined manner.
•Identifies and implements process improvements.
•Follows up with others to ensure resolution of pending issues.
•Ensures accuracy of work completed by self and initiates review of data from other sources to ensure accuracy.
•Responds to inquiries from internal departments in a timely and accurate manner.
•Ensures accuracy of work product through careful preparation and cross-referencing.
•Constructs reports to identify and monitor monthly activity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certifications/Licenses:

Required:
•BS/BA degree in Finance or Accounting 
Preferred:
•CPA

Related Work Experience:

Required:
•2+ years experience in accounting or financial analysis.
•Experience with financial models and data analytics (Excel or database-driven models).

Preferred:
•Understanding of utility accounting and finance.
•Experience with Oracle, Peoplesoft or similar accounting ledger and budgeting systems.
Applicant may possess a combination of equivalent education and work experience.

Specific Skills & Knowledge:

Required: 
•Intermediate proficiency in MS Excel and MS Word.
•Basic to intermediate knowledge of Oracle or similar financial system.
•Basic to intermediate knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
•Strong analytical and problem resolution skills. 
•Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities.
•Ability to work independently yet keep management informed as appropriate.

Preferred:
•Knowledge of utility accounting and rate-making process.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 
•4 days in the office / 1 day remote; conditions may change due to Company policy.

 

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clea