Mgr Accounting at Consumers Energy in JACKSON, MI

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 One Energy Plazalocated in Jackson, 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

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Manager of Accounting to oversee the analysis, review, and reporting of gross margin for our electric and gas utility operations. The successful candidate will oversee a team of 4-6 analysts, ensuring accurate and timely accounting for the revenue and fuel cost. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy of gross margin reporting and providing insights that support strategic decision-making. The Manager of Accounting will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, finance, and regulatory affairs, to analyze key drivers of revenue and cost of goods sold, ensure compliance with industry standards, and support the company in regulatory and rate-making activities. This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking and expertise in forecasting electric and gas margins.

The Manager, Accounting determines Organization Financial Status by developing and implementing systems for collecting, verifying, analyzing, reporting, and controlling financial information; developing internal accounting controls; monitoring financial status; interpreting accounting policy; applying observations and recommendations to operational issues; monitoring and continuously improving processes; managing and developing staff.

The Manger, Accounting analyzes highly complex expenditures to validate appropriateness of charges and provides internal analysis, regulatory recommendations, projections and variance explanations on utility business issues to both senior management (including the CFO, Treasurer, and the Corporate Controller) business operational areas. The incumbent works closely with other teams, including: Shared Service, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Treasury, Operations, Rates, Internal Controls external auditors and regulatory staff. The manager interfaces regularly with project managers, account managers and business area directors, executive directors and vice presidents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Achieve accounting operational objectives by contributing information and analysis to strategic plans and reviews; prepare and completing action plans and visual management; implementing production, productivity, quality, customer-service, safety, security, and health standards; identify and resolve problems; complete audits; identify, develop, and implement system improvements.
Confirm financial status and performance by monitoring revenue and expenses; capital spending; coordinate the collection, consolidation, and evaluation of financial data; prepare special reports and data analytics and reporting. Additionally, the incumbent must review and provide recommendations regarding any new programs or strategies that the Company is considering. Ensuring that these new items will benefit the Company financially without any potentially accounting pitfalls so we can insure that they will be successful in helping the Company achieve our financial goals.
Maintain and supervise regulatory (FERC, MPSC, other) reporting requirements. Responsible for accounting perspective of the regulatory process, framework, and accounting requirements related to rate cases and regulatory requirements (including but not limited too PSCR, GCR, EWR, DR, renewable reconditions, decoupling, and reg assets/liabilities). Must take an active role in Regulatory related work including; filing testimony/exhibits in various cases, reviewing rate case testimony and exhibits, assisting in the writing or preparation of such exhibits of others to ensure accurate preparation as well to make sure the request will support the outcome desired and defending the Company's position through intervenor questions and direct and rebuttal testimony as an accounting expert.
Maintain financial stability and sustainability by establishing internal controls and monitors and continuously improves processes. Evaluate end to end processes and perform problem solving on identified performance gaps.
Manage employee outcomes by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; communicate job expectations; plan, monitor, appraise, and review job contributions; plan and review compensation actions; enforce policies and procedures. Hold operating reviews to improve communication, team affinity and performance.
Meets accounting financial objectives by estimating requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions; assessing and communicating risks and opportunities; making recommendations on cost savings measures to support the business operations, partnering with various departments across the organization including many managers, directors, executive directions and Vice Presidents. Additionally, includes items such as preparing, implementing, and communicating complex annual cost allocations to internal customers for billing and cost analysis or reviewing complex marginal revenue projections and providing recommendation of adjustments to the annual budget or monthly forecasts.
Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to analyze, consolidate, and interpret accounting and related operational data
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form
Ability to improve job knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional and technical publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies
Customer service mindset
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office programs and financial / analytical systems
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting procedures and principles
Strong, comprehensive knowledge of industry and regulatory accounting principles
Strong, comprehensive knowledge of US GAAP principles

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or related discipline with four (4) or more years of progressive experience in an accounting role
- (OR) Associate's degree in Accounting, Business, or related discipline with six (6) or more years of progressive experience in an accounting role
- (OR) High School Diploma/GED with eight (8) or more years of progressive experience in an accounting role

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other professional accounting designation

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.