Lead Corporate Accountant - Hawaii Island

hawaiianel•Hilo, HI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The P AC CORPORATE ACCOUNTING Department of the P GENERAL ACCOUNTING Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional) Leads the department in reasonable evaluations of journal entries and assists the Manager of Corporate Accounting in coordinating the daily activities of the Corporate Accounting staff. Ensures timely financial reporting, develops and maintains ERP system, and provides guidance to the Corporate Accounting staff and Operations. Assists in ad-hoc special projects related to financial transactions, system implementations, provides financial accounting advice to Utilities.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge/understanding of: Accounting standards (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
Thorough understanding of financial statements (i.e. balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, consolidations)
Able to relate/interpret working knowledge of Process Area functions (including operations & maintenance and capital areas) to ensure the related transactions are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principle.
Thorough knowledge/understanding of: Personal computers and/or ERP systems and related software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Thorough knowledge/understanding of: Internal control concepts and procedures.
Working knowledge of: Regulatory accounting and ratemaking concepts.
Working knowledge of: Regulatory accounting practices and decisions by the PUC, normally acquired through courses, self-education, and dealings with PUC-related matters.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate and work with all levels of the organization, both verbally and in written communication. Ability to provide actionable and corrective suggestions to others in a positive manner.
Excellent analytical skills to determine reasonableness of transactions
Demonstrate in-depth analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to manage various projects and programs.
Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
Excellent ability to lead (analyze, propose, and execute) process improvement recommendations within Corporate Accounting and the areas of responsibilities.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: The financial closing process is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: The analysis and application of generally accepted accounting principles, preferably with respect to the electric utility industry is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Reasonable understanding of regulatory accounting and ratemaking practices and procedures is desirable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: The evaluation and application of accounting internal controls is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Cash flow statement preparation is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Variance analysis experience is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: CPA designation public accounting experience and/or accounting experience in consolidations preferable but not required.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Accounting experience in the electric utility industry is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Previous supervisory or training staff is preferable.
Several years (8+) of experience in such areas as: Experience in regulatory matters before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission or equivalent agency with ratemaking jurisdiction for electric utilities is desirable.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the timely financial closing process for Hawaiian Electric and, its subsidiaries, including the outreach to other process areas to obtain required information for the preparation of various required internal and external financial reports.
Gathers, interprets, and summarizes various transactions and information, and prepares and enters journal entries which reflect that information in accordance with GAAP in the general ledger.
Treats information received in the course of performing these responsibilities as confidential.
Prepares and maintains process documentation on internal controls for the department in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Coordinates the timely completion of the reconciliations of general ledger accounts (before the end of the month following) and analyzes the reconciliations to ensure that the accounts at each month-end are properly stated.
Analyzes recorded information for financial reporting and disclosures. Meet financial and statistical information needs of various users, both internal and external to the Company (HEI, Department Managers, Project Managers, Engineers, Board of Directors, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), legislators, etc.) through data obtained from various accounting and other sources. This may include ad hoc reports, data access, and database queries. Ensures that those reports reflect GAAP.
Serves as an expert resource for the Company by maintaining an elevated level of knowledge of utility accounting concepts and principles.
Maintains the Company’s financial reporting system and recommends improvements to the overall policies and procedures.
Provides analytical information of recorded information for rate cases and other regulatory proceedings.
Provides guidance and assistance to the Corporate Accounting staff as necessary, including Operational areas requesting assistance with financial accounting treatment.
Assists the Manager with evaluating the effectiveness of internal accounting controls for existing or new systems and procedures and recommends changes, as necessary.
Collaborate directly with internal/external customer requests for financial/statistical information to ensure timely delivery; provides advice on proper recordation of transactions; may serve as a lead on project teams to provide accounting guidance and input.
Provides technical financial accounting guidance to Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Electric Light and Maui Electric employees, for significant agreements, and special projects as appropriate, drafts testimony on behalf of the manager and others for such things as rate case dockets, IRs and other regulatory proceedings.
Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.