Southern Company Gas is seeking a strong Utility Regulatory Accountant to support our four state-regulated natural gas utilities, also referred to as local distribution companies (Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas, Nicor Gas, and Virginia Natural Gas). The successful candidate will gain valuable experience accounting for the effects of ratemaking, responding to regulatory data requests, and addressing the accounting impacts resulting from state regulatory commission orders. In addition to regulatory accounting experience, this role will support the ongoing accounting and reporting activities of our regulated natural gas utilities through month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and compliance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Uniform System of Accounts, and Southern Company Gas accounting policies. This role will be partnered with other Southern Company Gas accounting teams, Regulatory Accounting, shared services, and auditors to deliver accurate reporting and timely financial information.
Key Responsibilities:
Utility Regulatory Accounting:
- Perform month-end close activities, including journal entries, account analysis, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
- Review utility accounting activity for coding accuracy, unusual variances, accruals, prepaid expenses, reclassifications, and compliance issues.
- Prepare financial reports, analyses, schedules, and documentation to support management reporting, regulated utility financial reporting, and internal controls.
- Support system enhancements, process improvements, automation, and documentation for assigned utility accounting responsibilities.
Regulatory Accounting and Compliance:
- Account for the effects of ratemaking, including the impacts of regulatory riders and other rate mechanisms, as well as the corresponding regulatory assets and liabilities.
- Support rate cases, regulatory data requests, and other commission-related schedules and filings.
- Apply the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Uniform System of Accounts and regulatory accounting requirements to support financial reporting, account analysis, regulatory filings, and audit support.
- Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Regulatory Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Plant Accounting, Financial Planning, Operations, and auditors to ensure analyses reflect business activity and compliance requirements.
Controls, Collaboration, and Process Improvement:
- Research and resolve reconciling items while maintaining strong internal controls and audit-ready documentation.
- Collaborate with internal customers and cross-functional partners to resolve issues, improve data quality, and meet reporting deadlines.
- Support knowledge sharing, process improvement, and automation initiatives across the Utility Accounting department.
- Seek to understand the business and take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
Education and Experience:
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
- Three or more years of progressive accounting experience.
- Experience with journal entries, account reconciliations, variance analysis, financial reporting support, and internal controls.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Public Accountant designation or progress toward certification preferred. Experience with Oracle General Ledger, utility, energy, or regulated industries, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reporting, rate cases, regulatory data requests, or process improvement is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, financial reporting, account reconciliations, and internal controls.
- Analytical problem solver with strong attention to detail and ability to research variances, identify root causes, and recommend action.
- Sound professional judgment, ownership, and ability to communicate financial information clearly across organizational levels.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, financial reporting tools, and strong time-management skills.
- Ability to collaborate across departments and organizations.
Success Factors:
- Executes accurate, timely work with accountability and sound judgment.
- Build trust through collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusive teamwork.
- Demonstrates business and regulatory acumen and proactively communicates status, risks, and issues.
Travel Requirements:
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 clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 20264
Job Category: Accounting & Auditing
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: AGL Services Company
