Job Details

Department Summary
The Budget/Financials Group is comprised of a reporting team and a client support team. The Reporting Team provides monthly internal and external financial reporting and variance analysis which enables leadership to financially manage the Distribution, Operations, Engineering and Transmission (DOET) and Customer Operations & Quality (CO&Q) organizations spending and cash flow. We are the primary group that interfaces with corporate financial personnel, providing regular and key ad hoc analysis of current and historical spend to assist the corporation in understanding financial positions and in obtaining balanced forecasts and budgets. The Client Support Team provides budget and financial analysis, reporting and recommendations enabling leadership to manage their business. We are the owners of the accounting structure for DOET & CO&Q, offering advisement on its continuous improvement to support the organization.

Job Description/Responsibilities
Responsibilities for the Reporting Team include: -*Creating DOET/CO&Q financial reports for DOET/CO&Q managers and Corporate o*Monthly/quarterly forecast and cash flows o*Variance analysis explanations o*Capital actual/closing projections o*Monthly financial & forecast packages o*Headcount Analysis o*Change log summaries o*Capital transfers between organizations -*Conducting accounting studies -*Tracking and allocating overheads -*Supporting the 5 year planning and budget/outlook processes (target setting, consolidation/reporting) -*Participating in the DOET effort for financial decision making and synchronization governance -*Providing financials for rate case input, chargeback alignment, benchmarking studies, storm estimates, mutual assistance billings, and other on demand analytics -*Account reconciliations and liaison with business services -*Providing contract administration information for advance bookings -*Monthly financial review meetings with senior and operating officers, managers and directors -*Facilitator of monthly target (forecast) changes with corporate departments Responsibilities for the Client Support Team include: -*Supporting DOET/CO&Q program managers in the development of the monthly forecast (in alignment with statewide analysts), monthly variance analysis and explanations, work order analysis where applicable, reporting cash flows to reporting team -*Conducting accounting studies (joint expense and electric/gas cost allocation) -*Supporting the 5 year planning and budget/outlook processes o*Develop zero base spend, meet with project managers and other stakeholders o*Work paper prep to include business expenses & non work order related expenses for planned programs o*Adjust and track program changes o*Input Budget into SAP -*Maintaining SAP cost center and program structures, internal order management -*Performing journal entries, pre-bookings, power plant reporting, storm & gas emergency estimating and other on demand analytics -*Collaboration with corporate and property accounting -*Quarterly & year-end reporting for the Michigan Public Service Commission & rate case support This position will be filled on either the Budget/Financial Reporting Team or Budget/Financial Client Support Team.

Requirements/Qualification
This successful candidate will have: -*A Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related fields -*7 or more years of experience in related fields -*Demonstrated strong data analytical skills including collecting, organizing data effectively to minimize work effort -*The ability to effectively and professionally communicate with business customers, managers & directors and members of the team on analytics, -*Diagnostic and PC skills, especially Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of Microsoft Access is a plus. -*Flexibility: to shift focus as necessary with a willingness to work overtime as needed to meet deadlines while balancing numerous tasks -*Worked as part of a team for achieving financial targets established for the DOET. -*Knowledge of SAP including accounting tasks such as work orders, purchase requisitions, payment requests and BI Reporting -*Knowledge of the month end close process, budgeting, and variance analysis -*Knowledge of the utility industry, DOET and CO&Q, and SharePoint is preferred but not required -*Interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as an effective team member and be a self-starter. -*A positive attitude and customer focus is essential. This position will be filled at the level commensurate with the skills, abilities and experience of the selected candidate. Essential Functions: Business Support Advisors and Consultants support the planning, business analysis, general management, budget preparations and analysis, negotiations, transactions, customer services and auditing of a wide variety of business functions and processes of specific operating and support areas throughout the Company. Duties and who this individual reports to will fluctuate between projects, departments and offices. Lead and/or assist with business analysis and support for the plans, reports, impacts, contracts, schedules, estimates, data collection, observations, and field investigations. Provide business analysis and support services with accuracy, on time and under budget. Use computer assisted applications software and equipment to prepare business analysis support documents. Understand and follow Company established standard procedures for file structure and standard procedures for projects. Become familiar with business and department and Company plans and related material for each project and be able to utilize the information appropriately. Assists in client contact and communication. Utilize effective communication skills to answer inquiries from coworkers, clients, or the public. Public involvement may include producing reports, graphics, presentations, and other visual material as well as occasional speaking or meeting with stakeholders. Attend internal and external meetings. Provide business analysis and support services in a legal and ethical manner. Hours and Travel: This position requires the individual work 40 hours per week with 90% of time spent in the office or specific field locations. This position may require the ability to travel between field locations. This position may include nights and weekend/holiday timeframes. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand and stoop, use hands to keyboard; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee will be using a computer and the associated keyboard and mouse. The employee must frequently lift and move up to ten pounds, i.e. a laptop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.