Utilities Analyst 1 - Public Service Commission - Kanawha Co.

State of West Virginia•Charleston, WV

35d

About The Position

This position is entry-level and, under more direct supervision, will aid higher level utility analysts, training in the following job duties: assignments requiring the analyst to be in full charge of audits of small to medium sized utilities. Assignments will also include audits of large utility companies where overall supervision of the audit may be under the control of a supervisor. Even in the case of large utility audits, the applicant is expected to perform the audit with minimum supervision after an audit program is developed by the applicant and approved by the supervisor. May be required to travel both in state and out-of-state. The applicant must have thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, techniques of economic and financial analyses and FASB procedures and statements. Ability to research FASB statements and drafts is required. Ability to research state and federal tax laws is required. The applicant must be familiar with preparation of audit programs and formulation of work plans. The applicant will be expected to have demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience to perform the following types of work assignments. Review utility formal case filings and utility financial statements; analyze the financial condition of utilities including such areas as capitalization ratios, cash flow, financing needs and plans and pro forma income statements; prepare work plans and/or audit programs to guide case review and/or audit steps and procedures; perform a field or desk audit of the utilities financial books and records; review and report on internal controls, compliance with accounting principles, compliance with the system of accounts and compliance with PSC rules and prior orders; conduct analysis of the management efficiency; write all or part of an audit report presenting an analysis of the utilities financial condition and/or financial issues to be considered by the Commission; make recommendation regarding the overall revenue requirements for a utility; make recommendations on the proper rate schedule(s) to recover recommended revenue requirements; perform desk or memorandum reviews of utility rate change requests not requiring a field audit; assist staff attorneys in becoming familiar with the accounting aspects of the case and in establishing methods of examination and cross-examination as part of the staff exhibit in the rate hearing; testify in the rate hearing before the Public Service Commission on the method and scope of the audit, on any adjustments made to the financial records of the utility and on the financial condition of the utility; assist the Legal Division in designing rates mandated by the Commission decision in the rate hearing; answer routine correspondence from utility customers on utility costs, municipal surcharges, fuel adjustment charges, etc.; perform related duties as required. See the special salary range for the Public Service Commission below.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or mathematics.
Full-time or equivalent part-time paid professional experience in utility financial analysis, accounting or auditing may substitute for the required training at a rate of one (1) year of experience for every thirty (30) semester hours of training.
Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, techniques of economic and financial analyses and FASB procedures and statements.
Ability to research FASB statements and drafts is required.
Ability to research state and federal tax laws is required.
Familiar with preparation of audit programs and formulation of work plans.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to those individuals with training in accounting such as a CPA, a master's degree in accounting, a bachelor's degree with a major in accounting or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of accounting and to those individuals having professional experience with a public utility, utility regulatory agency or a public accounting firm in the area of utility ratemaking or financial statement auditing.

Responsibilities

Review utility formal case filings and utility financial statements
Analyze the financial condition of utilities including such areas as capitalization ratios, cash flow, financing needs and plans and pro forma income statements
Prepare work plans and/or audit programs to guide case review and/or audit steps and procedures
Perform a field or desk audit of the utilities financial books and records
Review and report on internal controls, compliance with accounting principles, compliance with the system of accounts and compliance with PSC rules and prior orders
Conduct analysis of the management efficiency
Write all or part of an audit report presenting an analysis of the utilities financial condition and/or financial issues to be considered by the Commission
Make recommendation regarding the overall revenue requirements for a utility
Make recommendations on the proper rate schedule(s) to recover recommended revenue requirements
Perform desk or memorandum reviews of utility rate change requests not requiring a field audit
Assist staff attorneys in becoming familiar with the accounting aspects of the case and in establishing methods of examination and cross-examination as part of the staff exhibit in the rate hearing
Testify in the rate hearing before the Public Service Commission on the method and scope of the audit, on any adjustments made to the financial records of the utility and on the financial condition of the utility
Assist the Legal Division in designing rates mandated by the Commission decision in the rate hearing
Answer routine correspondence from utility customers on utility costs, municipal surcharges, fuel adjustment charges, etc.
Perform related duties as required.