Senior, Accountant

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued. People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals. We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey. About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities. American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indexfor the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Important Information Posted range is $70,690-$95,000 The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more! American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally! In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k),Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more! American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally! Primary Role Individual will be part of the Controller’s Department. Responsible for the accounting, documentation, reporting and analysis of more complex financial transactions, including in the areas of acquisitions and plant / fixed asset accounting for American Water and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). Responsibilities include but are not limited to reviewing and accounting for acquisition purchase agreements, analysis and reporting for capital projects, reconciling various account balances, preparing journal entries, general ledger review and maintenance, supporting month-end close and cross department collaborating.Key Accountabilities

• Prepares journal entries and execute on all assigned monthly close activities
• Analyzes financial results and produce variance analysis, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the subsidiary and general ledgers.
• For assigned areas, assist in the preparation and communication of monthly financial results to management.
• Performs account analyses and reconciliations, including the timely investigation and resolution of discrepancies and reconciling items.
• Acquire an understanding of the transaction flows within the business process related to assigned general ledger accounts.
• Prepare and provide required schedules and reporting information and analysis for the Company’s quarterly and annual SEC reporting requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance financial models for budgeting and forecasting.
• Analyze actual financial results vs budget/forecast, investigate variances, and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support and coordinate with external auditors for annual audits (both the consolidated and subsidiary audits).
• Interfaces/liaises with other departments including FP&A, Rates & Regulatory, Cash/Treasury, and Tax, providing information for accounting and reporting matters.
• Provide required information to Rates & Regulatory teams to fulfill rate case requests and analyses for filings and/or other reporting requirement reports.Key Accountabilities Cont'd
• Create and/or update detailed process documentation.
• Prepare and present clear, concise financial reports, dashboards, and presentations for management.
• Identify and implement automation, new tools, and streamlined financial processes.
• Suggest process improvements and assist with initiatives to optimize the effectiveness of existing business applications, technologies and systems and to build efficiencies/improvements into current business processes.
• Maintain accounting/financial policies, practices, internal controls and operating procedures for assigned areas to ensure the integrity of the Company’s internal control structure. Identify and remediate control weaknesses in respective areas.
• Identify issues independently. Lead efforts to research issues, develop recommendations, resolve complex issues, and implement changes.
• Coach and provide training to team members to ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks.
• Consistently deliver clean, quality work.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assignedKnowledge/Skills
• Knowledge and prior experience working with SAP, PowerPlan, Hyperion, Blackline, SharePoint a plus.
• Strong proficiency in financial concepts, excel and analytic process automation such as alteryx.
• Strong technical and analytical accounting skills.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively with different levels of employees.
• Proven problem-solving and dispute resolution capabilities; Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to apply these principles and practices to accounting matters.
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral, with proven ability to interact effectively with internal customers, management and external professionals (i.e. auditors).
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on initiative, knowledge sharing, team building and decision making; and High level of organizational skills, time management and accountability.Experience/Education
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required. CPA or advanced degree preferred.
• 3-5+ years of Accounting or Finance experience required
• Full cycle accounting experience a plus.
• Prior public accounting, corporate and/or multi-subsidiary company experience a strong preference.
• Prior experience working in the utility industry and knowledge of regulatory accounting a plus.Work Environment
• Standard office environment working a 3/2 hybrid schedule
• Active State Driver's License required with the ability to pass a motor vehicle report. CompetenciesChampions safetyCustomer obsessedCultivates innovationNimble learningDrives ResultsCollaborates