Accounting Analyst

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to the SERVICE CENTER located in CITY, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Accounting Analyst is responsible for overseeing the provision of general and sub-ledgers, records, and financial reports, as well as preparing and analyzing various accounts and performing general accounting functions. This role involves assisting in maintaining regulatory accounting compliance through research, data review, and preparation of regulatory reports. The Accounting Analyst identifies and resolves variances between the company's system of record and sub-ledger and analyzes expenditures to validate the appropriateness of charges. Collaboration with other teams, including Shared Services, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Treasury, Operations, Rates, Internal Controls, external auditors, and regulatory staff, is essential. This position focuses on accounting for assets that support the gas utility, including reviewing construction project scope and charges, regulatory and financial reporting, and researching gas industry assets and accounting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of financial reports, such as financial statements and regulatory reports.
• Maintain and test internal controls, perform budgeting and forecasting, maintain master data, and perform revenue and cost accounting.
• Perform account reconciliations and balance sheet variance analysis for assigned accounts; contribute to the financial reporting process through the preparation of schedules supporting disclosures.
• Process month-end close to ensure accurate financial records and timely preparation of financial statements.
• Prepare ad hoc reporting as needed to support research, rate case support, studies, surveys, and other ad hoc requests.
• Process transactions to manage the lease process, overhead allocations, and other accounting transactions.
• Provide accounting guidance utilizing generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory resources to direct proper charging of expenditures.
• Record monthly and non-recurring general ledger entries.
• Review accounts for proper setup and analyzes expenditures to validate the appropriateness of charges.
• Review the general ledger (G/L) to ensure all activity is properly recorded and perform general account analysis and reconciliations.
• Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to obtain and use large data sets to analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while adhering to deadlines.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting software (e.g., SAP).
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting procedures and principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or a related discipline with two (2) or more years of experience in accounting, working with general ledgers and financial reports. OR
• OR Associate's degree in accounting, business administration, or a related discipline with four (4) or more years of experience in accounting, working with general ledgers and financial reports. OR
• OR High School Diploma/GED with six (6) or more years of experience in accounting, working with general ledgers and financial reports.

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Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.