Lead Accounting Analyst

Duke Energy Corporation•Charlotte, NC

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Accounting Analyst will report to the Finance Governance Manager and will support the Finance Governance team and ensure governance of transactional and information technology Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) controls across the Company. Additionally, the role offers meaningful professional development through extensive interaction with cross-functional business partners, internal and external auditors, and leaders at all levels of the organization including senior management and executives. Employees at this level solve both structured and unstructured complex problems and interpret internal or external business issues and recommend solutions. Incumbents provide leadership (advising and providing direction) to others in financial areas of specialization and may coordinate daily work activities or review the work of other teammates. Employee may also regularly lead projects of focus on the team or represent SOX Finance Governance on other project teams. Employee works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations. Incumbent has specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with major in Accounting/Finance or related discipline
Five (5) plus years of increasingly diverse or complex experience in related field in addition to degree
Possesses and applies fundamental accounting and finance concepts, practices, and procedures
Experience with financial applications (i.e. PeopleSoft, OneStream, PowerPlan, etc.) and query tools (WebI, PowerBI, cubes)
Experience using Microsoft products such as Excel, Word and Power Point

Nice To Haves

CPA or working toward CPA
Advanced degree, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Eight (8) years or more of professional work-related experience
Prior experience working as an internal or external auditor or experience leading discussions with business partners and auditors that require explaining, defending, and influencing outcomes through well-reasoned analysis
Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills – including data analytics
Demonstrated ability to apply sound professional judgement when assessing risk and determining appropriate conclusions in ambiguous or complex situations
Ability to challenge assumptions, legacy practices, and control designs using data, logic, and risk-based reasoning
Comfort making recommendations without clear precedent and defending conclusions
Self-motivated and able to work independently with proactive recommendations and limited supervision
Demonstrated project management skills (planning, timelines, dependencies)
Demonstrated experience providing leadership through oversight, review, and guidance of other accounting or audit professionals.
Experience with SOX and internal control compliance within the COSO Framework
Understanding of IT General Controls or experience with evaluating IT applications for SOX scope and impact to financials
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and accurately with various levels of management using oral and written communications
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and foster good relationships with teammates and business partners
Ability to assess and determine risk impacts
Previous experience in utility, utility asset or regulatory accounting environment
Possesses and applies fundamental accounting and finance concepts, practices, and procedures
Proficient with using Microsoft products such as Excel, Word and Power Point
Proficient using Microsoft products such as Excel, Word, and Power Point
Possesses and applies fundamental accounting and finance concepts, practices, and procedures.
Experience with financial applications (i.e. PeopleSoft FMIS, Power Plant, etc.) and query tool (Business Objects)
Masters in Accounting or MBA
CPA, CIA, MBA, CFA or CMA is strongly encouraged for achieving the Lead Analyst or higher position.
Must have 5+ years (8+ desired) of increasingly diverse or complex experience in related field in addition to degree
Years of prior equivalent work related experience in lieu of a degree is N/A unless grandfathered in and requires CFO Staff approval.

Responsibilities

Ensure governance for the company’s internal control compliance program through various methods including reviews of internal processes, systems and policies
Foster and maintain business partner relationships with business units and corporate areas and consult on the internal control environment and identify and address risk exposures
Partner with project teams for SOX considerations and recommendations, serving as the SOX SME
Leading and executing the company’s annual internal control planning process, risk assessment and selection of internal controls for testing
Independently assess financial statement risks, evaluate downstream implications, and apply an inquisitive mindset to ask difficult questions, influence outcomes, and execute well-reasoned recommendations to advance the SOX program based on materiality and exposure
Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of financial related company policies and assist with policy interpretations where guidance is not explicit and support conclusions to advise business partners
Cycle Lead for assigned SOX control areas, including process improvement suggestions, quality review of documentation and testing evidence, and partnership for issue resolution
Interact with external auditors to communicate the company’s assessment of identified or potential internal control issues or weaknesses
Consult with business units and corporate areas to lead completion of root cause analysis and remediation efforts of deficiencies/issues
Maintain general knowledge of IT Controls, SOX regulatory matters, policies, Risk Assessment and IT systems and applications
Review and support annual financial statement filings including signature coordination, certifications, year-end assertions and internal and external representation letters along with Appendix A preparation
Support and implement a continuous improvement discipline that promotes long term sustainable solutions that provide efficiencies and value
Coordinate with Corporate Audit Services on audit scopes and audit results