Capital & Project Accounting Mgr

Northwest Natural Gas • Portland, OR

123d • $120,450 - $171,650

About The Position

This is a key position responsible for overseeing all aspects of capital accounting, including the accurate recording, reporting, and compliance of capital expenditures and fixed assets. This includes the day-to-day oversight of the Capital Accounting Team, including planning and coordination, detailed task review and coaching team members. This role ensures adherence to Regulatory Accounting ASC 980 and supports audits and financial reporting related to capital projects. The Accounting Consultant serves as a subject matter expert and is skilled in problem solving and collaboration across departments. This position has overall responsibility for the accounting for $3.7Billion in Plant Assets.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent experience is required, CPA strongly preferred
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible accounting experience, with a minimum of three years' experience in a leadership role
• In-depth understanding of the day-to-day plant and lease accounting processes and procedures and knowledge of PowerPlan and SAP configurations and related modules
• Ability to work independently with IT&S personnel to recommend, configure, and test any necessary changes to system configurations affecting plant accounting
• Experience with a monthly general ledger process is required
• Knowledge and experience in applying U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• In-depth knowledge of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Accounting regulations, as well as Oregon and Washington Regulatory policies affecting Plant Accounting is highly desired
• Experience with the preparation and review of responses to inquiries from external stakeholders such as regulators
• Experience with Depreciation Studies
• Demonstrated leadership experience in directing and leading a team; delegating and coordinating employee activities; skill and commitment to coaching and developing employees and processes
• Excellent verbal communication skills; proficient in facilitating group processes and giving presentations
• Written communication skills including experience with process documentation and report generation
• Conflict resolution skills; ability to mediate and resolve problems between internal and external stakeholders
• Must combine attention to detail with the ability to envision the big picture
• Analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Requires outstanding ethical standards and values consistent with those of the Company
• Proven ability to function in a team environment, provide information and training to users while treating them with respect and dignity

Responsibilities

• Manages the Capital, Lease and Project Accounting functions, including direct oversight of three senior accounting analysts
• Reviews and approves all month-end close processes for Capital Accounting, ensuring the timeliness of plant additions and retirements for the natural gas and water businesses
• Manages the Lease Accounting processes including review of new and amended agreements and routine accounting and financial reporting of lease transactions
• Analyzes plant and lease results in the financial statements and participates in monthly Finance Committee Meetings
• Oversees timely preparation of Account Reconciliations and Sarbanes Oxley Internal Control procedures, including review and approval
• Assists with internal and external audits of Plant and Lease balances and records
• Maintains the Capital Asset Policy and procedures and serves as the primary contact for Engineering, Operations, IT&S and other departments for guidance on treatment of transactions as capital or O&M expense
• Oversees construction overhead calculations and updates in the General Ledger
• Performs financial analyses and prepares ad hoc reports, as required, including assignment and support of team members for completing such analyses and reports
• Researches and documents complex accounting issues, providing recommendations to Management for resolution and prepares Accounting Memos to document decisions
• Partners with Technical Accounting to ensure appropriate accounting for complex lease transactions
• Collaborates with Finance, Business Analytics, Business Systems, and the Project Management Office regarding budgeting, cost tracking, project reporting and maintenance of various SAP Modules for Plant Accounting
• Provides timely guidance to team members regarding Projects that are managed by Project Managers in the Project Management Office
• Coordinates team resources to support Rates and Regulatory Affairs in General Rate Cases and other regulatory reports or inquiries
• Assists with periodic regulatory Depreciation Studies performed by a third-party consultant and reviewed and approved by Utility Commissions
• Trains and coaches team members, providing timely feedback as well as routine performance reviews
• Ensures the team's task documentation is complete and current
• Identifies and implements process improvements as well as encourages team members to do the same
• Participates in system implementations and enhancements as a subject matter expert including testing and roll-out
• Provides regular team status and non-payroll budget updates to the Senior Accounting Manager
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with industry contacts and businesses to stay current with developing trends and best practices in Capital Accounting systems and procedures
• Support the Company's commitment to a culture of safe work practices

Benefits

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform
• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women's Network and many other Employee Resource Groups
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room
• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program
• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Utilities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees