Senior General Accountant at Unitil Service Corporation

Unitil Corporation’s Accounting Function  

Unitil Corporation (Unitil or the Company) is a public utility holding company.  Unitil and its subsidiaries are subject to regulation as a holding company system by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  The following companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Unitil:  

• Unitil Energy Systems, Inc.,  
• Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company,  
• Northern Utilities, Inc.,  
• Bangor Natural Gas,  
• Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc.,  
• Unitil Power Corp.,  
• Unitil Realty Corp.,  
• Unitil Service Corp., and  
• Unitil Resources, Inc.  

The Company has regulated distribution and transmission operations in three states and is subject to regulation by utility departments and utility commissions in those states as well as the FERC.  

Accounting is responsible for the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ accounting activities as well as providing information to support internal and external financial reporting.  The accounting group’s primary responsibilities include:  

• Recording journal entries to appropriately capture all transactions and estimates necessary for complete and accurate financial information  
• Reconciling all of the Company’s balance sheet accounts  
• Preparing complete and accurate financial statements under US GAAP and other applicable standards, such as FERC guidelines, as well as providing financial information to support internal reporting for management  
• Designing, implementing, and executing internal controls over financial reporting  
• Supporting the Company’s regulatory activities and ensuring that the accounting consequences of all regulatory orders or actions are appropriately reflected in the Company’s accounting records  
• Supporting the Company’s strategic initiatives and providing accounting, financial, and business insights     
• Keeping current on all standard setting activities, including accounting, financial reporting, regulatory, and sustainability  

The Sr. General Accountant works across the accounting group as well as with other groups in the Company to ensure complete and accurate financial reporting.     The Sr. General Accountant demonstrates strong technical and interpersonal skills and enjoys working in a collaborative environment as a member of a high performing accounting team.     

Time %

End Results

50%

Accounting Operations - Perform accounting activities for Unitil and its subsidiaries including monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close activities and related journal entries, reconciliations, and rollforwards. Perform the timely, accurate and complete recording of financial information as required for external review and internal management decision making purposes. Provide accounting support to all functions within the Unitil companies to assist each function in meeting its goals by attending meetings, providing analytical information, or accounting expertise. Prepare reports, perform account analysis, write-up variance analysis on operating results, and perform Cash Flow analysis to satisfy the SEC, FERC, MDPU, MPUC, NHPUC, internal management, and external auditors.   Present results of operations as needed to other department managers and Controller for decision-making purposes. Support the compilation of the annual Operating and Capital budgets.  

25% 

Reporting - Prepare financial statements and other financial reports in accordance with various accounting and reporting standards, including US GAAP, FERC, and SEC.  

10%

Internal Controls - Monitor all aspects of the General Accounting systems including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and cost accounting to ensure that detailed transactions are properly recorded and reported. Act in a verification capacity by testing for reasonableness of the various feeds to the trial balance. Review and maintain current account reconciliations for all accounts under general accounting control and monitoring account reconciliation under subsystem control.     

10%

Systems Development - Identify and recommend ways to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of General Accounting systems and procedures, especially as it relates to the monthly closing process. The position has the responsibility for operating and maintaining the various accounting information systems and ensuring the integrity of the information being reported, such as from Excel, Flexi General Ledger, Renovo Financial Reporting, Powerplan and the USC Time & Billing System.  

5%

Regulatory Compliance - Prepare reports and provide evidentiary responses to data requests to satisfy FERC, MDPU, NHPUC, MPUC and other regulators.  

As Needed

Must be available to assist in the Company’s storm restoration efforts.  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. CPA or MBA preferred.  
• 4-6 years General Ledger accounting experience or equivalent. Utility accounting experience preferred.