Manager, Accounting

Requisition ID: *[[id]] * 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 Index for 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. * Do you have a passion for Accounting?! Do you have 8-10 years relevant accounting related job experience, including experience with full cycle accounting processes and 2-4 years supervisory experience or equivalent (required) then this role is for YOU! Apply TODAY for immediate consideration!* _ Primary Role _ Manage the Company’s accounting teams and daily accounting activities, related to Utility Plant (Fixed Assets), and other accounting functions, as necessary, in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), SOX and other regulatory and legal requirements and policies and procedures. _ Key Accountabilities _ * Ensures financial transactions are properly evaluated, accurately recorded and accounted for in compliance with accounting standards and regulations, primarily in utility plant. * Executes on and improves the monthly and annual close processes related to respective accounting areas. Activities include review of journal entries, and reconciliations of general ledger accounts. Manage or prepare detailed analysis of financial data and resolve and communicate discrepancies. * Oversees and reviews the preparation of financial information, supporting schedules and reports supporting external reporting, subsidiary reporting, audits and regulatory reporting activities. * Supports rate cases and requests for accounting related items. * Manages job responsibilities and staff for utility plant accounting to ensure transactions are recorded according to GAAP while recognizing state specific regulatory requirements and adhering to SOX controls by implementing processes, effective communication strategies, and developing and executing plans and performance metrics. * Builds and leverages working relationships and centralized processes by partnering with key stakeholders, including, Regulatory and Rates, Budgeting and Internal Reporting, Tax, and Capital Planning, providing information on accounting and reporting matters related to acquisition. * Participates in the development of critical accounting related policies and procedures and internal controls. * Communicates and collaborates effectively with other functions with the Company on accounting related issues. * Identifies actions that lead to operational efficiencies and process improvements. * Responsible for the quality of the team’s work and their attainment of the overall team-level performance measured goals. Provides guidance, leadership and expertise in analyzing financial data to resolve discrepancies and provide timely reconciliations of accounting information. * Recruits, mentors and develops staff, as well as establishes, measures, and manages associate workforce to cultivate a "customer service" focus and culture. Ensures that all team members’ training and career development needs are met by establishing career development plans by identifying development goals, milestones and metrics. * Undertake other department tasks or projects as needed and assigned. _ Knowledge/Skills _ * Utility industry experience a plus. * Advanced knowledge of US GAAP and regulatory practices and technical expertise required in rates or accounting/finance. * Knowledge and prior working experience with SAP, PowerPlan, and Hyperion, a plus. * Must foster teamwork and show work commitment through a focus on results. * Proven ability to lead projects. _ Experience/Education _ * 4-year Bachelor Degree required in Accounting CPA or MBA desire. * 8-10 years relevant accounting related job experience, including experience with full cycle accounting processes. * 2-4 years supervisory experience or equivalent required. * Demonstrated experience in identifying process improvement opportunities and results in implementing improvements. * Demonstrated proficiency in multiple functions as well as a proven ability to provide technical advice to others in an accurate and timely manner. * Demonstrated experience in managing and coaching direct reports and establishing career development plans by identifying development goals, milestones and measures. _ Work Environment _ * Standard office environment _ Travel Requirements _ * Approximately 10% travel. _ Competencies _ Prioritizes & Role Models Safety Self-Awareness Develops Talent Plans, Aligns, & Directs Drives Engagement Decision Quality * Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing ™ * American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.