The State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeks an Energy Accountant/Auditor who has a passion for public service and an interest in regulating utilities that provide essential services such as energy and water to Virginians. The Division of Utility Accounting and Finance (UAF) provides the Commission with accounting and financial information to use when deliberating utility cases involving rates and services. Utility ratemaking is the formal regulatory process by which public utilities set the prices they will charge consumers. The Energy Accountant/Auditor performs audit work on electric, gas, water, and sewer utility companies to ensure compliance with the law and recovery of all prudent and reasonable costs necessary to provide utility service to Virginians, including the renewable energy facilities such as solar and wind projects, renewable natural gas, and other critical investments necessary to provide Virginians with safe and reliable energy service. These audits are generally performed within the context of a rate application filing that includes an audit period, written testimony of our findings, and oral testimony in a courtroom setting. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, professional development opportunities, and on-the-job training.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform audit work on electric, gas, water, and sewer utility companies to ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory accounting principles, and Commission decisions
- Review accounting transactions including financial reports, records, reserves, assets, revenues, expenditures, income statements, and balance sheets
- Verify revenues, expenses, and investments included in relevant rate adjustment clauses for fuel, safety, renewable energy, and other eligible projects
- Assist with written documentation of audit procedures, calculations, and methodologies
- Communicate with companies and other external contacts throughout the audit process
- Conduct audits of utility company base rate costs and develop projections of costs that are reasonably predicted to occur in a future period
- Prepare written testimony and participate in legal proceedings related to audits
- Travel to audits in or out of Virginia up to 10% of the time
- Attend utility and accounting-related conferences and training events
- Perform other tasks as assigned
Preferred Qualifications
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting or a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting from an accredited institution is a minimum requirement
- CPA designation or eligibility for the CPA exam in Virginia (120 semester hours of education with at least 24 semester hours of accounting courses) is preferred
- Strong knowledge of accounting and/or auditing
- Ability to analyze and interpret financial information
- Critical thinking skills, a curious nature, and strong initiative
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively prepare and present audit findings for work-papers, reports, and testimony
- Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with SCC staff and industry personnel
- Ability to travel in and out of Virginia for audits, trainings, and conferences up to 10% of the time
Virginia State Corporation Commission is an equal opportunity employer.
