Utilities Analyst

This position is full‑performance and, under general supervision, will perform assignments requiring the analyst to be in full charge of audits of utilities. Assignments may also include audits of larger utility companies where overall supervision of the audit may be under the control of a supervisor. The applicant may be required to travel both in‑state and out‑of‑state.

• Review utility formal case filings and utility financial statements.
• Analyze the financial condition of utilities, including capitalization ratios, cash flow, financing needs and plans, and pro forma income statements.
• Prepare work plans and/or audit programs to guide case review and/or audit steps and procedures.
• Perform a field or desk audit of the utilities’ financial books and records.
• Review and report on internal controls, compliance with accounting principles, compliance with the system of accounts and compliance with PSC rules and prior orders.
• Conduct analysis of the management efficiency.
• Write all or part of an audit report presenting an analysis of the utilities’ financial condition and/or financial issues to be considered by the Commission.
• Make recommendations regarding the overall revenue requirements for a utility.
• Make recommendations on the proper rate schedule(s) to recover recommended revenue requirements.
• Perform desk or memorandum reviews of utility rate change requests not requiring a field audit.
• Assist staff attorneys in becoming familiar with the accounting aspects of the case and establishing methods of examination and cross‑examination as part of the staff exhibit in the rate hearing.
• Testify in the rate hearing before the Public Service Commission on the methods and scope of the audit, on any adjustments made to the financial records of the utility, and on the financial condition of the utility.
• Assist the Legal Division in designing rates mandated by the Commission decision in the rate hearing.
• Answer routine correspondence from utility customers on utility costs, municipal surcharges, fuel adjustment charges, etc.
• Perform related duties as required.

Training: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a major in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or mathematics.

Substitution: Experience as described below may substitute for the required training on a year‑for‑year basis.

Experience: Two years of full‑time or equivalent part‑time paid employment in utility accounting, utility auditing, or financial and economic analysis with a public utility, regulatory agency or private accounting firm; or three years of full‑time or equivalent part‑time paid employment in other areas of accounting or auditing.

Substitution: A Master’s Degree in accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or mathematics or approval as a Certified Public Accountant may be substituted for the required experience.

Preference will be given to those individuals with training in accounting such as a CPA, a master’s degree in accounting, a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting or a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of accounting and to those individuals having professional experience with a public utility, utility regulatory agency or a public accounting firm in the area of utility rate making or financial statement auditing.

Special salary range for the Public Service Commission:
The Public Service Commission has established a salary range of $56,559 to $90,364 for this classification.