Financial Analyst at Southern Company in Atlanta, GA

Financial Analyst

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Analyst will provide budgeting and analytical support to Southern Company Services (SCS) organizations and Southern Company affiliates by ensuring the timely and accurate review of financial transactions and the reporting of those transactions to various levels of management. This position will coordinate the timely and accurate data gathering and analysis of the periodic cost projections of the organization and projects they support and provide counsel and planning to various levels of management regarding the findings of various analyses as needed, will assist organization in meeting corporate and business unit goals and objectives, and will establish and maintain effective relationships and communication both within SCS Budgeting and Reporting and with our business partners.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and communicate budgets and financial reporting for SCS Affiliate Support and Regulatory Requests
Analyze data and effectively communicate SCS financial story to stakeholders and varying levels of leadership
Coordinate annual budget preparation and communications
Prepare and communicate monthly variance reporting and comprehensive analysis for budget, actual, and projection information
Provide guidance to managers regarding GAAP and Southern Company accounting policies
Ensure compliance with internal controls and make recommendations regarding needed changes and efficiency improvements
Provide guidance on accounting policies and activities to non-financial managers
Consolidate reporting for roll up and management reporting for SCS
Gather data and analyze periodic cost projections and budget data
Participate in special projects by gathering information and providing analysis
Establish and maintain effective relationships and communications with business unit and affiliate budget managers.
Strong organization, analysis and communication skills are a must.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related business field required

CPA, CMA or MBA/other advanced degree preferred

Experience:

1 year experience in accounting, finance, or business administration preferred

Will consider early career candidates

Utility accounting experience is preferred

Experience in accounting, cost management and reporting

Demonstrated experience with Oracle Cloud ERP, OACS, Oracle Planning, and PowerPlan is preferred

Strong experience in Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Power Point, and Access) highly desired

Capital and O&M budgeting experience desired

Project cost tracking experience desired

Experience coordinating multiple business units’ requests and ensure goals and objectives are met

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Detail-oriented with strong initiative-taking critical thinking skills and excellent follow through

Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills

Demonstrate organizational and planning skills

Knowledge of utility and regulatory accounting standards and GAAP principles desired

Knowledge of data management and retrieval techniques with strong technical skills

Conceptual thinker and ability to quickly understand our Accounting System, POET Codes and be able to understand and report cost drivers

Ability to multi-task and adapt to a changing environment

Ability to coordinate activities of multiple people and pull the end result together as one deliverable

Ability to pull disparate pieces of information together to form one consolidated and concise report

Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with accounting, auditing, various non-financial functional areas, and varying levels of staff and management

Ability to operate in a matrix organization and communicate clearly with people at various levels including upper management

Effective oral and written communication skills

Demonstrate personal ownership and initiative

Anticipate and proactively communicate financial impacts of business unit decisions

Demonstrate sound business judgment in decision making

Other attributes include proactive, team player, and strategic thinker

Knowledge of Enterprise Foundations principles preferred

Understanding various views of SCS data and ability to translate and communicate appropriately to various audiences

Thorough understanding of techniques and methods for accounting, budgeting, cost tracking, financial projections, and interrelationships with affiliate accounting and budgeting functions