Principal Technical Accounting & Financial Reporting Analyst

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 position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located 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

The Principal Financial Reporting Analyst researches and provides guidance on highly complex accounting matters, such as variable interest entity assessments, accounting for major acquisitions and dispositions, and regulatory accounting. This position consults with cross-functional teams, including strategy, risk, new business, tax, rates, and treasury teams, to advise on and ensure accurate accounting treatment of developing transactions and contracts. The Principal Financial Reporting Analyst reviews and contributes to financial statement disclosures in the company's quarterly and annual SEC filings and ensures the integrity and accuracy of reported information.

This role also facilitates the development of staff in various areas, including complex accounting concepts, accounting research, and business and industry transactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Research highly complex technical accounting issues with a minimal level of supervision and support needed. Provide support and coaching to analysts and senior analysts, including review of research on basic to moderately complex accounting questions. Ensure clear documentation to support accounting conclusions in a variety of forms (ranging from email to formal accounting position papers)
• Provide accounting consultation and advice to cross-functional internal partners in support of strategic business and developing transactions, with a minimal level of supervision needed. Serve as an owner of cross-functional relationships, with the ability to actively provide real-time accounting advice and, when needed, appropriately identify the need for additional specialist or director involvement
• Evaluate moderately to highly complex contracts for accounting issues and document conclusions, with a minimal level of supervision and support needed
• Monitor, evaluate, and communicate potential impacts of new and emerging accounting standards, working with other departments as needed. Develop and execute implementation plans for moderately to highly complex accounting standards, with minimal supervision and support.
• Review sections of the quarterly and annual SEC filings and evaluate the sufficiency and accuracy of disclosures and underlying support. Identify the need for and provide meaningful input to new or different disclosures based on transactions occurring at the company
• Prepare or review subject matter specific reporting documents to meet compliance and/or control needs of business stakeholders (i.e., debt compliance certificates, debt covenant calculations, dividend calculations, legal reports, and other government reports), with a minimal level of supervision or support needed
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and experience applying them to complex transactions
• Strong critical thinking skills, including ability to apply knowledge learned on one transaction to a new and different transaction
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficient with financial reporting software and accounting research tools
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office suite of software products, Adobe applications, and other general application software

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with 7 years of experience in a technical accounting role or public accounting environment

• [OR]Associate'sDegree in Accounting with 9 years…