Financial Analyst Capital Compliance

Primary Role:

Develop and drive consistency in methodology and application of the company's capitalization policy across the region. Serve as a liaison between regional finance and Service Delivery by implementing critical accounting decisions related to fixed assets and working with management and Compliance Manager to ensure policies, practices, and strategies are in compliance. Review data integrity and assumptions related to the capital plan, support rate case preparation and compliance with regulatory requirements, and provide reporting and recommendations to regional management in support of the region's capital goals and objectives.


Key Accountabilities:

- Communicates and administers the company's capitalization policy, serves on the regional Capital Investment Management committee (a component of the capital project approval process). Reviews and approves capital work orders (upon creation), identifies capital asset retirements associated with new, "replacement- process. Educates the Service Delivery group with regard to expense classification (capital expenditure vs. operating expense). Reviews capital expenditure postings to the general ledger.
- Reviews depreciation expense calculations and postings to the general ledger (verifying rates and participating in depreciation studies, when applicable). Examines CWIP aging reports and facilitates the timely capitalization of assets (in the proper periods) and write-offs as assets associated with shelved/abandoned capital projects. Assigns capital asset owners within the region and periodically confirms asset existence (via the distribution of capital asset listings and the monitoring of high-level metrics).
- Reviews and approves Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC), capitalized overhead, net negative salvage and FASB 143 ARO calculations and journal entries. Monitors the activity within the Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC) account and promotes the timely recognition of customer advances and contribution transactions. Examines the materials and supplies inventory records and the physical inventory/ cycle count results (review for proper approval of adjustments to perpetual inventory balances). Educates the inventory/warehouse personnel with regard to physical inventory/cycle count procedures.
- Performs assessments of the accuracy and completeness of the capital expenditure accrual. Educates the Service Delivery group with regard to the capital expenditure accrual/re-forecast process. Functions as a Power Plant "specialist- and a liaison to the Service Delivery group for system guidance and instruction.
- Provides support to the Financial Planning and Analysis group through review of capital plan assumptions and assuring the integrity of the core data. Works with the Rates and Regulation group in support of rate case preparation and compliance with regulatory requirements. Provides timely and accurate capital reporting and recommendations to regional management in support of the region's capital goals and objectives.
- Performs other duties as assigned.


Skills:

- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Ability to translate financial issues into meaningful information for non-financial managers.
- Excellent analytical, systemic skills.
- Strong management skills for planning, organizing and communicating.
- Ability to handle confidential or sensitive information according to American Water's applicable policies.
- Be viewed as a credible source of Accounting/Finance related to capital planning and reporting.


Knowledge:

- General Accounting, financial analysis, budgeting/forecasting.
- Good Microsoft Office Skills (Excel, PowerPoint). Hyperion Enterprise and/or JD Edwards would be an advantage.
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance.
- MBA in Accounting or Finance preferred.
- Five to eight years plus professional experience.
- Prior corporate and/or multi-subsidiary experience desired.
- Two to five plus years prior experience in the utility, shared service or multi-company corporation industry plus.
CPA, CMA, or CFA.

To apply, please visit our web site at www.amwater.com and click on Careers at American Water.

EOE