Natural Gas Accountant 

Accounting Finance & Treasury – Southern Fuel Accounting Department

Position Summary

The Natural Gas Accounting team, part of Southern Fuel Accounting, manages key financial tasks related to natural gas consumption across Southern Company's fleet. The gas accountants ensure the accurate allocation of gas volumes and costs to each generating facility. The team settles commodity and hedging transactions with third parties and records journals for each Operating Company as well as Southern Company Services. The gas accountants collaborate closely with Gas Supply and Energy Trading and interface with a wide range of internal and external entities including various Plant Personnel, Accounting, Regulatory and SCS Treasury departments.

Primary Responsibilities

Validate and maintain data to support monthly settlement, OPCO close processes, analyses, and regulatory filings. Identify discrepancies in operational processes and data with attention to detail. Accurately perform calculations and allocations for unique gas contracts and provide clear explanations of the operations behind the accounting. Complete monthly gas journals per established controls to ensure financial integrity.  Reconcile counterparty and pipeline invoices with the gas management system, making necessary adjustments and retaining documentation. Manage settlement cycle of receipts and payments in Oracle Receivables, Oracle Payables, and General Ledger  Provide timely payment instructions and cash forecast information to SCS Treasury  Offer detailed analysis and timely responses to data requests from auditors, internal customers, and regulatory bodies. Establish and sustain positive relationships with customers in commodity and transportation sectors, as well as internal clients to deliver exceptional customer service. Perform peer reviews/approvals of journal entries and other work products for accuracy. Take the lead on Attache enhancements, function as a liaison between gas accounting and software developer. Master available technological resources, specifically the Attache Gas Management System 

Attributes:

Understand the end-to-end fuel process, from scheduling through settlement. Understand and articulate nuances in the gas operations and allocations processes. Develop and apply alternative approaches to reconcile data or complete calculations when standard tools are not readily available. Provide guidance to the Gas Operations team on transaction processing within the gas management system to ensure accurate volume and cost allocation. Identify the root cause when dollar/volume allocations are off and guide the team towards a resolution. Assess the potential impact of late or retroactive operational changes on settlement and reporting. Contribute to process improvements, controls and reporting automation.

Position Qualifications

Education:

BS/BA degree in Accounting or Finance required

Experience:

Must have at least 5 years of Accounting or Financial Analysis experience Preferred experience in natural gas settlement and/or gas accounting Proven experience in collecting, analyzing, and summarizing large volumes of data. Experience in Generation, Fuel, Finance, and/or Accounting is preferred. Familiarity with accounting principles and Oracle ERP is desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Strong understanding of the natural gas industry, including operational and financial aspects. Proficiency in Excel, including advanced features. Ability to collect and analyze detailed information effectively. Demonstrates creative analysis and an innovative mindset. Working knowledge of computer systems and Microsoft software applications. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively. Exceptional organizational skills with the capability to manage multiple assignments. Knowledge of GAAP, FERC, SEC, and other relevant regulations and reporting requirements. Understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements.

Behavioral Attributes:

Must consistently demonstrate the behavior of Our Values – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance. Must be a team player capable of multi-tasking. Maintains a strong customer focus, dedicated to meeting expectations and fostering effective relationships across the organization. Upholds a positive attitude and shows flexibility in a changing environment, including embracing technological advancements.