Controller IV - Essential Utilities

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Essential Utilities?We have an exciting opportunity for a Controller IV to join our team.

The Controller IV oversees all accounting functions for assigned division. Provides accurate and timely budget forecast information to assist management in planning and decision making. Maximizes revenue through presented rate cases and other regulatory filings. Evaluates and makes improvements to accounting processes while ensuring methods comply with Aqua’s policies and local, state, and federal laws.

Duties:

• Develops and implements the company’s financial and accounting plans, policies and procedures.
• Manages input of data into the financial information systems including data entered by accounting staff and other personnel.
• Coordinates,  prepares and reviews detailed monthly and quarterly financial reports including the general ledger.
• Manages the monthly closing of books and the reconciliation/analysis of all accounts.
• Prepares and reviews  monthly financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, PUC rules, Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations.
• Prepares, reviews and updates the long-range financial plan and the Annual Operating Budget Package including variance reports.
• Ensures effective internal control processes and procedures are in place and followed for financial reporting.
• Assures protection of company assets with internal controls and audits.
• Prepares and reviews quarterly and year-end reports, PUC reports and compliance with bond indentures.
• Partners with business leaders. Negotiates and explains to gain acceptance of ideas and proposed actions.
• Coordinates, prepares and reviews the Company’s long-term Strategic Business Plan and Annual Operating Plan.
• Monitors performance against operating plans and standards, and reports and interprets the results of operations to all levels of management.  Makes recommendations and provides assessments for improving the operations based on financial metrics.
• Assists in the processing of rate applications, debt financings and other regulatory filings before the PUC, including expert witness testimony as the Chief Accounting Witness
• Provides input and support for financial analysis of acquisitions and operating contracts.
• Performs financial due diligence activities on planned acquisitions. Integral role in potential acquisitions, including financial projections, filings with the required regulatory commissions and integration into the existing operations.
• Supervises the accounting team for the assigned division. Interviews, hires, sets high performance standards and manages performance in accordance with all applicable HR policies and procedures.  Creates an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust and engagement.  Inspires confidence and motivates others to perform at their best.  Develops and coaches staff while effectively addressing performance issues.
• Performs other assignments as required.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS Degree in Accounting or Finance required
• 8-12 Years of related experience
• CPA and/or MBA Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced ability to use Microsoft Office suite: Word‚ PowerPoint‚ Excel and other technologies applicable to job.
• Experience using SAP a plus
• Utility or regulatory accounting experience a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally) with internal customers
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment    

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.                          
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.                                
• Operate standard office equipment.      
• Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable)
• Travel Requirements up to 10 % (for overnight travel is required)             

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.