Principal Accountant - Oglethorpe Power Corporation

Are you a proven and polished accounting professional looking for your next career home? Then we could use your talent and soft skills! You'd be joining an established team that is implementing new technology during an exciting time in the utility sector. While you'll own a specific niche, your thought leadership will streamline the department.

This position demands:

• An advanced understanding of general and utility-specific accounting principles
• Capability to take an analytical approach
• A definitive level of autonomy
• Advanced communication across a range of audiences

This position will have specific oversight around fixed assets, asset retirement obligations, inventory, project planning and new generation.

Job Duties:

• Prepare or oversee preparation of journal entries, accounting analyses and monthly account reconciliations in accordance with departmental standards. Review and analyze financial information, journal entries and accounting reports to ensure accuracy, timely processing, and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and regulatory guidelines. Review accounting staff work product and provide guidance and instruction to staff members.
• Lead effort to provide supplemental accounting support for activities such as routine and ad hoc financial analyses and reporting (including SEC reporting), implementation of new accounting processes, internal control and compliance activities, and special projects as required.
• Prepare financial statements, notes to financial statements and other reports for entities managed by Oglethorpe (e.g., Smarr EMC, GreenPower EMC) timely and accurately in compliance with (GAAP) and regulatory guidelines. Prepare and/or review variance analysis explanations.
• Prepare auditor (internal and external) required work papers and informational requests and participate in business process walk throughs.
• Create and maintain documentation of assigned significant business processes and related accounting policies and job position responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: BBA in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field.
• Experience: 6+ years of progressive general accounting experience required
• Equivalent Experience: 3+ years of public accounting experience
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (i.e., communication skills, systems knowledge, personal and professional characteristics): Ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the corporation. Proficient with Microsoft Office applications. Experience with general ledger accounting systems and reporting applications. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneous.
• Specialized Skills: Utilities industry experience with Power Plan, FERC accounting and or RUS reporting would be highly preferred.
• Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations: CPA required

Unusual hours: Unusual hours required of this position: Job may require extra hours and/or weekend hours at month-end and quarter-end closes with a heavier concentration of hours during the year-end close and audit. Additional hours may also be required for system conversions or upgrades.