Lead Accounting Analyst - Regulatory (Carolinas Accounting & Reporting)

Duke Energy Corporation•Charlotte, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Carolinas Accounting & Reporting is within the Controller’s Department and provides accounting, financial analysis, and reporting support for Duke Energy. The Lead Accounting position requires strong technical knowledge and research capabilities to ensure reporting compliance within GAAP and FERC rules. The role interacts with various departments while leading projects, setting priorities, and working on special projects. The role includes responsibility for complex analysis and research of ad-hoc requests to develop reporting and effectively present results for management review and decision making. This is the fifth level of the financial analysis classification hierarchy. Progression to this level is typically restricted based on business need. Employees at this level solve complex problems and interpret internal or external business issues and recommend solutions. The role requires specialized depth and breadth of expertise to provide leadership (advising and providing direction) to others in financial areas of specialization including coordination of daily work activities or review the work of other teammates. Employee may also regularly lead projects. Employee works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or Other Related Degree
Must have 5+ years of increasingly diverse or complex experience in related field in addition to degree
Experience with financial systems including, but not limited to, Wdesk, OneStream, PeopleSoft, CAPS Online, and advanced Microsoft Office product skills (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI)
Years of prior equivalent work-related experience in lieu of a degree is N/A unless grandfathered in and requires CFO Staff approval.

Nice To Haves

Eight (8) or more years of increasingly diverse or complex experience in related field in addition to degree
Possesses and applies comprehensive and strategic knowledge of accounting and finance principles, practices, and procedures to complete complex assignments
CPA or CPA candidate
Graduate degree in Accounting, Business, or related fields
Possesses and applies fundamental accounting and finance concepts, practices, and procedures
Previous experience in utility or regulatory accounting environment
Familiarity with rate making revenue requirements principles
Effective written and oral communication and collaboration skills
Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, including data analytics
Demonstrated ability to effectively perform at the experienced analyst level, including ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and adhere to strict deadlines and schedules
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and foster good relationships with teammates and business partners
Highly organized with attention to detail and ability to efficiently multi-task within tight deadlines
Experience with FERC form preparation and other regulatory filings
Public accounting or auditing experience

Responsibilities

Solve complex regulatory accounting issues with critical thinking and sound judgment, ensuring all tasks align with GAAP, FERC, and other regulatory requirements, while meeting internal deadlines and external reporting obligations (including Form 10-Q/K disclosures).
Effectively manage multiple fast-paced projects, including rate cases and data requests, with an emphasis on task prioritization, organization, and coordination across various teams and stakeholders.
Drive continuous process improvement efforts across regulatory accounting functions, identifying and implementing innovative solutions that streamline processes, increase efficiencies, and reduce redundancies in both DEC and DEP regulatory activities.
Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams (Finance, Legal, Treasury, Rates & Regulatory, Tax, etc.), external auditors, and regulatory bodies (NCUC, PSCSC, FERC) to address inquiries, respond to data requests, and ensure consistent accounting treatment across various filings and projects.
Provide leadership oversight and direction for regulatory deferrals, ensuring proper documentation, accurate accounting treatment, and timely reporting.
Own the end-to-end process for storm cost deferrals, including coordinating accounting entries, maintaining support for regulatory asset balances, monitoring recovery activity, and ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready.
Lead accounting and reporting support for the Energy Efficiency Rider, partnering with Rates & Regulatory and other business partners to support filings, validate balances, respond to inquiries, and ensure consistent treatment of rider-related activity.
Evaluate and establish emerging regulatory deferrals by researching applicable accounting and regulatory guidance, documenting conclusions, aligning with cross-functional stakeholders, and supporting timely implementation of approved accounting treatment.
Manage regulatory asset and liability reporting for FERC Form pages, ensuring balances are complete, appropriately classified, and supported by clear explanations that align with underlying accounting records and regulatory filings.
Provide rate case accounting support through preparation and review of regulatory asset and liability schedules, data request responses, testimony support, and other analysis needed to support jurisdictional filings and regulatory proceedings.
Take ownership of high-priority regulatory matters, such as rate cases and compliance with evolving accounting standards, coordinating efforts and ensuring accurate and timely completion of deliverables.
Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment, encouraging teamwork, accountability, and development. Be a leader in solving complex problems, developing regulatory accounting expertise, and project management skills.
Conduct detailed research and analysis on regulatory and accounting matters, documenting findings and implementing practical solutions to address challenges in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Provide clear, effective communication with leadership and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment on goals, expectations, and outcomes while proactively managing issues and escalating as necessary.