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Regulatory Accountant

Public Utility Commission of Texas
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Perform routine to highly complex accounting work that includes reviews of rate change and other applications filed with the Commission.  Work involves analyzing utility reports, accounting records, contracts, and other pertinent information for compliance with accounting standards, state laws and Commission regulations, and reasonableness of costs.  Work involves preparing written recommendations with attention to mathematical accuracy of financial calculations, wording precision, and correct grammar usage.  Work under moderate to limited supervision with limited to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Review and analyze rate applications, earnings monitoring reports, and other cost, revenue, and sales information for regulated electric, telephone, and water and wastewater utilities and unregulated providers to determine appropriate accounting treatment, consistency with Commission rules, and reasonableness of costs. 
  • Prepare written and oral expert testimony for use in contested proceedings including utility rate cases, cost of service appeals, formal complaints, Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCN), and Sale, Transfer, Mergers (STMs), and defend position under cross-examination.  Work closely with attorneys and other professional staff in the pre-hearing and post-hearing stages for contested cases.
  • Evaluate financial issues related to public utility companies, recommend fair rates of return on regulated utilities’ invested capital, recommend a cost of service, and determine financial integrity sufficiency for regulated electric, telephone, and water and wastewater utilities.
  • Review and make recommendations on accounting and cost-recovery issues in other Commission dockets and projects including tariff revisions, registrations and certifications, performance measures, and code of conduct compliance.
  • Conduct investigations of compliance with Commission rules and audits of expenses and revenues of utilities and unregulated service providers.
  • At the request of the Legal Division, participate in negotiations with representatives of electric, telephone, and water and wastewater utilities.
  • Participate in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) work groups or committees addressing issues relating to accounting, reasonableness of costs, and mechanisms for recovery of costs.
  • Participate in and lead rulemaking and other policymaking activities, in coordination with other divisions and with the Commissioners’ offices.
  • Respond to inquiries from utilities, legislative representatives, other government agencies, and the general public regarding utility rate and cost-recovery issues.
  • Prepare, in conjunction with other staff as necessary, reports as required by the legislature, Commission action, or as described by supervisors.
  • Work with the Compliance and Enforcement and Legal divisions to manage the enforcement of rules relating to electric, telephone, and water and wastewater utilities and the competitive markets.
  • Continue professional development and maintain knowledge of contemporary issues affecting electric, telephone, and water and wastewater utility rates and electric utility restructuring, including maintaining current knowledge of Texas laws and rules, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accounting rules, National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners (NARUC) accounting guidelines, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accounting guidelines, IRS rules, generally accepted accounting and auditing procedures, and accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
  • Demonstrate a spirit of teamwork, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement, support to other members of the staff and team, and respond professionally to constructive feedback from others, while upholding the PUC’s mission and core values.
  • Adhere to all agency personnel policies and division procedures and perform other work as assigned.

 

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Financial Examiner II: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or economics.
  • Financial Examiner III: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or economics, and a minimum of one (1) year of experience in utility accounting or finance, or public accounting.
  • Financial Examiner IV: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or economics, and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in utility accounting or finance, or public accounting.
  • Financial Examiner V: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, economics; and a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in utility accounting or finance, or public accounting; and an active Certified Public Accountant license.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).