Start Your Accounting Career Where Your Work Makes an Impact

Are you an accounting graduate ready to turn what you've learned into real-world experience? Do you enjoy working with numbers, analyzing information, solving problems, and understanding the story behind financial results?

Peoples Gas is looking for an Accountant I to join our Utility Accounting team. This is an excellent opportunity to build a strong accounting foundation while gaining hands-on experience with general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reporting, regulatory reporting, budgeting, forecasting, audits, and financial analysis.

No prior financial work experience is required. If you're detail-oriented, analytical, comfortable with Excel, and ready to learn, this could be a great opportunity to begin your accounting career in the energy and utility industry. 

What You'll Do

As an Accountant I, you'll work alongside experienced accounting and finance professionals while supporting financial accounting and reporting activities.

Support Day-to-Day Accounting

You'll:

• Prepare journal entries.
• Reconcile and maintain general ledger accounts.
• Research account variances and help identify the reasons behind financial differences.
• Prepare account analyses that support accurate financial reporting.

Contribute to Month-End Close

You'll help the team successfully complete monthly accounting activities by:

• Supporting month-end close responsibilities.
• Ensuring financial information is complete and accurate.
• Researching and resolving accounting discrepancies.
• Collaborating with accounting and finance partners to meet reporting deadlines. 

Gain Exposure to Utility & Regulatory Accounting

You'll have an opportunity to develop specialized utility accounting expertise by:

• Preparing reports filed with regulatory agencies, including FERC and the FPSC.
• Assisting with data requests associated with audits and utility rate cases.
• Learning how accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory requirements come together within the energy industry. 

Support Budgets, Forecasts & Financial Analysis

You'll:

• Contribute to the development of financial budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze accounts and research financial variances.
• Assist with ad hoc financial reporting.
• Participate in special projects that support the needs of the department and business. 

Collaborate Across the Business

You'll gain exposure to a variety of business areas, including Finance, Regulatory Accounting, Fuels & Marketing, Resource Planning, Internal Audit, Accounting, Customer Experience, operating divisions, and other internal partners. The team also interacts with external auditors and regulatory organizations. 

What Success Looks Like

You don't need to arrive knowing everything about utility accounting. We're looking for someone with a strong accounting foundation who is ready to learn and grow.

You'll be successful if you:

• Take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Enjoy investigating numbers and understanding why financial results change.
• Ask thoughtful questions and are eager to learn.
• Stay organized while managing multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Take ownership of your responsibilities and follow through on commitments.
• Collaborate effectively with teammates and business partners.
• Look for opportunities to grow your accounting and analytical skills.

Required Qualifications

Education

You must have one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting from a regionally accredited college or university, or
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a financially related field in lieu of the bachelor's degree in Accounting.

Experience

• No previous financial work experience is required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP; Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with proficiency in Microsoft Excel; Self-motivated and detail oriented; strong analytical skills; organized

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of financial work experience with regulated utility accounting experience

• Knowledge of software/systems such as SAP, Power Plant and Allegro

Grow Your Career With Us

The Accountant I role is the first level of an accounting career progression that includes:

Accountant I → Accounting Analyst → Senior Accounting Analyst → Accounting Lead 

Career advancement isn't based simply on time in the role. Progression is based on increased responsibilities, accomplishments, performance, qualifications, value contributed to the company, and the technical needs of the department. 

For someone early in their accounting career, that means an opportunity to continue building technical knowledge, take on increasingly complex responsibilities, and grow professionally.

Ready to Start Your Accounting Career?

If you're an accounting graduate who enjoys working with numbers, solving problems, learning new things, and collaborating with others, we encourage you to apply.

Bring your accounting foundation, curiosity, and attention to detail. We'll give you the opportunity to put those skills to work and build experience in utility accounting.