Accounting Policy & Research Lead

SDG&E•San Diego, CA

About The Position

SDG&E is an energy company focused on building a brighter, cleaner future for Southern California. We power everyday life for 3.7 million people and are committed to innovation in reducing emissions, modernizing the electric grid, and enabling customer transitions to clean technologies. We are redefining sustainability, advancing zero-emissions solutions, and driving the electric vehicle revolution. This role is crucial in supporting the Company’s SOX compliance program, accounting policy and research activities, and internal control framework. The position evaluates emerging accounting standards, provides accounting guidance on complex transactions, implements accounting policies, and partners with business, IT, and audit teams to maintain effective controls, support system implementations, assess financial reporting impacts, and ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.

Requirements

Typically requires a 4 year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Typically requires 8 years of related experience.
Ability to interpret evolving standards and assess potential organizational impact.
Ability to mentor less-experienced professionals in accounting research practices.
Ability to review and challenge accounting conclusions prepared by others.
Knowledge of specialized or complex accounting areas requiring significant judgment.
Knowledge of standard-setting processes and authoritative hierarchy of guidance.
Skill in advising stakeholders on accounting policy implications of strategic decisions.
Skill in leading in-depth accounting research for complex or ambiguous transactions.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of SOX, ICFR, COSO, business process controls, and financial reporting risks.
Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and/or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).

Responsibilities

Performs the critical assessment, education, and effective implementation of significant accounting guidance updates on a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and Statutory basis.
Consults leadership in Finance areas across the various businesses and corporate departments regarding appropriate accounting treatment for significant, complex, and strategically important transactions.
Adheres to standards regarding proper documentation, review and execution of all accounting policy decisions and conclusions related to significant transactions.
Conducts thorough research and analysis of new accounting standards, providing detailed insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new accounting policies into existing processes and systems.
Negotiates with internal stakeholders to adopt new accounting practices and resolve conflicts.
Oversees integration of new standards into financial systems and reporting processes.
Develops innovative solutions to address gaps in policy application and compliance monitoring.
Manage and support the company-wide SOX compliance program, including risk and control documentation, annual scoping and planning, compliance tracking, deficiency remediation, and management reporting.
Advise business units on SOX/ICFR compliance, internal control design, documentation requirements, and control enhancements while promoting internal control awareness and best practices.
Support quarterly financial reporting and disclosure activities, including the preparation of financial data, evaluation of accounting impacts related to significant projects and contracts, and implementation of new accounting guidance.
Performs other duties as assigned.