Mgr, Internal Control

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager, Internal Control & Accounting Systems is responsible for the management of the following accounting functions: internal controls compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX), assist management in evaluating the effectiveness of the control environment of the organization, general ledger and month-end closing, affiliate accounting and consolidations, allocations and financial system upgrades/maintenance, as well as project management and oversight of the accounting departments efforts on various projects and business process changes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages internal controls processes to ensure we are complying with SOX and executing the Company's strategic objectives.
• Manages the continuous improvement of the Internal Controls Program.
• Reviews risk assessment to confirm in scope cycles for SOX and potential risk areas.
• Manages internal control requests, financial statements, and templates with Fortis, Inc. in support of their reporting and SOX compliance.
• Presents on status of internal control effectiveness to the SOX Committee.
• Manages the month-end closing and consolidation process, including ensuring adherence to strict deadlines and oversight of financial system interface processes and identifying and correcting financial system issues.
• Manages the operation, maintenance and upgrades to financial systems and any data conversions or validations, including interfaces with other accounting systems and data.
  • Leads "Center of Excellence" for GL and other financial systems.
  • Partners with IT and other departments to implement system solutions to meet strategic objectives.
  • Manage SOX review for all system implementations or upgrades
  • Manage internal controls around systems access and segregation of duties risks.
• Manages a robust data governance process and ensures users of financial systems are trained in proper use of the financial system and processes.
• Manages the general ledger processes and assists in the design & implementation of internal controls over general ledger accounting and system processes. 
• Manages and implement process improvements for journal entry preparation and posting, account reconciliations, allocations, financial systems, month-end closing and general ledger reporting.
• Manages general ledger and internal control activities around the annual audit and quarterly reviews with external and internal auditors by aiding auditors to complete audits and reviews.
• Identifies and implements internal reporting metrics and benchmarking.
• Manages nVision reporting process, ad hoc reporting, G&A analysis, and support for regulatory requests 
• Analyzes data to support budgeting and financial analysis. 
• Provides direction and evaluates, hires, counsels and trains staff.  

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in either Accounting or Finance or relevant, equivalent experience and/or education; Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional level, broad-based experience in Accounting.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience required with financial systems and general ledger.
• Minimum of (3) three years of SEC/public accounting/internal control experience required.
• CPA preferred.
• Expert knowledge of financial systems, experience with ERP systems required including implementation of related technology solutions. 
• Experience with Sarbanes Oxley compliance required.
• PeopleSoft experience preferred.
• Utility accounting experience, including understanding of FERC accounting requirements, preferred.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly, concisely and effectively.
• Proven ability to drive and manage change.
• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet applications. 
• Sound analytical problem-solving and documentation skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, modify and implement processes.

• Significant project management and other organizational skills allowing the ability to multi-task as well as continually reprioritizing and balancing workload based on changing needs.