Accountant III​/Temp

Accountant III - Contract/Temp (Aqua)

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Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status – including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package and a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

The Accountant III maintains the general ledger, analyzes expense accounts, balances sheet accounts and recommends accruals and adjustments as needed. Reviews input of accounts payable and payroll prior to entry into the financial systems. Reviews financial results with state management to ensure their understanding of the reported financial results. Assists in other accounting duties including property record accounting, forecasting, planning and other specific analysis as required.

Assists the Controller with financial reporting and assignments as needed. Accountable for selected areas of the company's internal and external financial reports and has specific areas of budget accountability.

• Reviews and analyzes monthly results to ensure accuracy of financial statements.
• Prepares and posts journal entries to record and/or make accruals and adjustments as needed.
• Ensures the accuracy of general ledgers for subsidiary companies.
• Assists in the monthly, quarterly and annual close of the financial books and records.
• Adheres to closing schedules and participates in its development.
• Reconciles and analyzes balance sheet accounts to ensure proper recording of cash, receivables, payables, current costs, revenues, financial commitments, accruals and obligations.
• Assists in the preparation and analysis of support data used to support critical accounting accruals. Prepares various ad‑hoc reports as needed.
• Works with state management on CPR (property records), reviews capital spending and projects completion status.
• Clearly communicates all changes made to financial statements and works with accounting personnel to reduce or eliminate future errors.
• Understands internal control systems and policies/procedures to ensure appropriate accounting and disclosure of financial transactions.
• Manages one or more key internal controls in support of the Company’s financial reporting process, the proper functionality of which play an important role in determining whether the Company’s overall internal controls are functioning effectively.
• Performs financial analysis of business as assigned by the Controller.
• Prepares operating budget.
• Monitors performance against budget on a regular basis and communicates status to appropriate personnel and makes recommendations as necessary, including monthly budget variance review.
• Completes sales tax, business privilege tax filings and assists in the preparation of tax work papers.
• Prepares various non‑tax governmental reporting forms, such as census and other economic surveys. Report preparation often requires judgement in the use of estimates and a broad understanding of the overall Company’s financial data.
• Acts as liaison with managers, payroll and others to produce accurate and timely monthly expense summaries.
• Performs other assignments as required.

• BA/BS Degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 4–6 Years of related experience.
• CPA preferred.

• Advanced ability to use Microsoft Office suite:
  Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other technologies applicable to job.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally) with internal customers.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work on…