Financial Analyst II, III or Sr. - S&BP

Financial Analyst II, III or Senior - Strategy and Business Planning (S&BP)

Job Summary: 

This position provides financial and operational support to achieve the goals and objectives of the Southern Operations businesses of Southern Company GAS which includes Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas.  The focus is on value creation by engaging in analysis, identification of issues, support of the Financial Plan and implementation of strategy with timely and accurate management reporting. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be a collaborator with strong attention to detail, able to manage multiple competing priorities and possess effective communication skills at various levels of leadership.

Please note, this position is part of a job family. 

The position may be filled at the Financial Analyst II (Level 3). Financial Analyst III (Level 4) or Financial Analyst, Senior (Level 5). Individuals who demonstrate advanced skills in terms of work experience, education and certifications may be eligible for the advanced grade. 

This role reports into Director, Utility Planning and Analysis, has 0 direct reports, and is based at Southern Company Gas Headquarters in a (hybrid) work environment which requires being onsite 3 days per week.  Traveler (10%-25% travel):  The incumbent may be required to travel to field operations service centers within Georgia and Tennessee.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operating Expense & Capital Expenditure Forecasting and Reporting

• Partner with leadership to produce annual operating and capital budgets. Serve as a business partner guiding them through best practices aimed at high levels of accuracy.
• Align planning processes to the corporate planning calendar to ensure all forecasts are submitted timely and accurately.
• Consolidate and submit annual budgets to corporate Financial Planning and Analysis as part of the annual budget process.
• Assist in producing quarterly forecasts incorporating actual results and updated assumptions.
• Assist in the preparation of budget templates, reports and presentations for directors, VPs, President, and other corporate leadership.
• Perform ad hoc analysis and provide recommendations for process improvements resulting in reduction of expenditures and/or increased non-regulated revenues.
• Track risks and opportunities to forecast with transparency to finance leadership to mitigate surprises.
• Own preparation of various presentations to the Executive Team

Monthly Closing and Reporting

• Month-end close responsibilities: review accrual reports, prepare and submit journal entries, corporate submissions, expense management, budgetary support for cost centers and ad hoc analysis.
• Gather data and perform analytical reviews of actual results versus budget, forecast, and prior year at varying levels of the organization and across different information systems; prepare and present monthly financial reporting packages including detailed variance explanations.
• Tracks and reports on Capital Expenditure spend across the organization and meets with business leaders to understand the initiatives regarding month-to-month changes.

Business Process Management

• Participate in special projects as required, including process improvement and financial tools development and implementation.
• Support regulatory data requests and audit requests.
• Create, update and/or maintain dashboards with key performance metrics.

Education, Certifications/Licenses:    

        Required: 

• BS/BA degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a similar degree requiring application of analytical techniques

Financial Analyst II

Related Work Experience:

Required:

2-5 years of financial analysis experience

2-5 years of budgeting, forecasting planning, and management reporting experience

Financial Analyst III: 

Related Work Experience:

Required:

5-7 years of financial analysis experience

5-7 years of budgeting, forecasting planning, and management reporting experience

Experience collaborating with senior executives on an individual and team basis 

Financial Analyst, Senior: 

Related Work Experience:

Required:

7+ years of financial analysis experience

7+ years of budgeting, forecasting planning, and management reporting experience

Ability to lead and drive strategic initiatives during meetings with senior executives, both individually and within team settings 

Applicant may possess a combination of equivalent education and work experience.  

Specific Skills & Knowledge: 

Required:

• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to convert data into meaningful and actionable reports and presentations that successfully communicate information to management.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments along with good organization and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced Microsoft office skills (MS Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Power-BI)
• Working knowledge of Oracle ERP or similar ERP systems
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Preferred:

Utility, natural gas or other energy industry experience

This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job.  The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.