Sr. Accountant

General Job Information

Job Summary

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission), a leading utility regulatory agency, is looking for a talented Senior Accountant with utility or regulatory experience, who can make a professional difference in the Nation's Capital. As a Senior Accountant, you will be involved in a challenging variety of utility regulatory projects, including ongoing financial analysis and monitoring efforts for electric and gas utility rate increase applications and infrastructure upgrades, electric and gas distribution strategic initiatives, long-term planning reviews, and distributed energy resource technologies. This position reports to the Chief of Accounting and Finance, and OFA members work closely with technical staff teams in utility economics and ratemaking, engineering, climate, and clean energy matters, as well as compliance and enforcement efforts.

The mission is to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially healthy electric, gas, and local telecommunications companies provide safe, reliable, and quality services at reasonable rates for District customers, while fostering progress towards the City's climate and clean energy objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, you will have an opportunity to interface with key stakeholders from federal and state agencies, including other state utility commissions, the FERC, and the federal DOE. Additionally, you will interface with other regulatory bodies, including NARUC, OPSI, PJM, as well as utility executives and professionals. You will have opportunities to gain significant industry exposure and unmatched professional experience as a member of a leading regulatory agency with a proud 100+ year history of regulatory excellence.

This position is in the Office of Accounting and Finance (OFA) within the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (OTRA). The Commission regulates the utilities and competitive companies that provide natural gas, electricity, and telecommunications services to District of Columbia ratepayers. The mission of the Commission is to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially healthy electric, natural gas and local telecommunications companies provide safe, reliable and quality utility services at reasonable rates for District of Columbia residential, business and government customers. OTRA advises the Commissioners on accounting, economic, engineering, and financial issues in formal cases that are before the Commission.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing authoritative advice to the Chief of OFA and the Commission on complex financial and accounting work associated with the examination and appraisal of utility companies. Reviews and evaluates documents filed in formal proceedings including testimony, briefs, commission orders, motions, public notices, rulemakings, for many mission-critical cases, including utility rate cases, major utility infrastructure projects, and utility climate business plans and clean energy initiatives.

Attends Commission hearings, public meetings, stakeholder working groups and technical conferences. Reviews and analyzes complex financial and accounting regulatory analysis, while also providing practical options for difficult or controversial issues. Reviews and analyzes utility revenue requirements and related cost data for reasonableness and prudency.

Evaluate the capital structure of regulated energy utilities, utility financing plans, utility cost of capital trends, and compliance with utility merger commitments. Participates in preparing Orders for rate cases and other regulatory orders involving complex accounting and financial issues. Prepares advisory memoranda and executive presentations.

The Commission offers a competitive salary range, a generous travel stipend for public transportation and parking, a bonus program, as well as an attractive benefits package. The Commission's benefits package encompasses a flexible menu of comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options, as well as a strong set of portable retirement benefits and savings options. The Commission also offers attractive vacation and sick leave time, as well as paid holidays.

The Commission also seeks to optimize work-life balance through an attractive set of work schedule options, including Flex time schedules, Teleworking options, and Alternative Work Schedules. As an organization dedicated to professional development and learning, the Commission encourages staff to participate in regulatory and industry association activities, as well as educational and professional training. Tuition reimbursement may also be available.

Qualifications and Education

Mastery knowledge of regulated utility finance, treasury, and accounting theory, concepts, and practices, as evidenced by degrees and significant work experience. Mastery knowledge of utility ratemaking practices, used to develop and present revenue requirements, costs of capital, rate base, rates of return, credit rating analysis and metrics.

Expert knowledge in regulated utility capital market and financial analysis, and financial reporting matters. Mastery knowledge of applicable District, federal, and adjacent state utility regulatory policy and practices, as well as federal SEC and FERC utility financial reporting matters. Mastery of problem-solving skills, planning and organizing skills; and skill in working collaboratively with other PSC professionals and outside energy stakeholders.

Ability to analyze complex financial and accounting analysis on regulated utilities. Ability to perform broad and complex research, and skilled in identifying problems and making recommendations for changes and revisions. Excellent skill in oral and written communications, develop cross-examination questions, prepare data requests, develop reports and comments on accounting and auditing matters, render advice to Commissioners, respond to inquiries, and make presentations.

Licenses and Certifications

CPA, CMA, Chartered Accountant highly preferred.

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed primarily in an office setting; however, a modest amount of travel to conferences and meetings both within and outside of the District may be necessary.

Other Significant Facts

Pay Plan, Series, Grade: CS-0510-14

Salary Range: $122,504 - $157,829 Per Annual,

Tour of Duty: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Duration of Appointment: Career Service Permanent

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME, District Council 20, and you may elect to join the union.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.