The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission), a leading utility regulatory agency, is looking for a talented Sr. Auditor with utility or regulatory experience, who can make a professional difference in the Nation’s Capital. As a Sr. Auditor, you will be involved in a challenging variety of utility regulatory projects, including ongoing financial audits and monitoring efforts for electric and gas utility rate increase applications and infrastructure upgrades, electric and gas distribution strategic initiatives, long-term planning reviews, and distributed energy resource technologies. This position reports to the Chief of Accounting and Finance and works closely with technical staff teams in utility economics and ratemaking, engineering, climate, and clean energy matters, as well as compliance and enforcement efforts.

In this role, you will have an opportunity to interface with key stakeholders from federal and state agencies, including other state utility commissions, the FERC, and the federal DOE. Additionally, you will interface with other regulatory bodies, including NARUC, OPSI, PJM, as well as utility executives and professionals. You will have opportunities to gain significant industry exposure and unmatched professional experience as a member of a leading regulatory agency with a proud 100+ year history of regulatory excellence.

The Commission offers a competitive salary range, a generous travel stipend for public transportation and parking, a bonus program, as well as an attractive benefits package.  The Commission's benefits package encompasses a flexible menu of comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options, as well as a strong set of portable retirement benefits and savings options.  The Commission also offers attractive vacation and sick leave time, as well as paid holidays.

The Commission also seeks to optimize work-life balance through an attractive set of work schedule options, including Flex time schedules, Teleworking options, and Alternative Work Schedules.  As an organization dedicated to professional development and learning, the Commission encourages staff to participate in regulatory and industry association activities, as well as educational and professional training. Tuition reimbursement may also be available. 

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is in the Office of Finance and Accounting (OFA) within the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (OTRA). The Commission regulates the utilities and competitive companies that provide natural gas, electricity, and telecommunications services to District of Columbia ratepayers. The mission of the Commission is to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially healthy electric, natural gas and local telecommunications companies provide safe, reliable, and quality utility services at reasonable rates for District of Columbia residential, business and government customers. OTRA advises the Commissioners on accounting, economic, engineering, financial issues, and climate and clean energy issues in formal cases that are before the Commission.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing authoritative advice to the Chief of OFA and the Commission on complex financial and accounting work associated with the examination and appraisal of utility companies. Reviews and evaluates documents filed in formal proceedings including testimony, briefs, commission orders, motions, public notices, rulemakings, for many mission-critical cases, including utility rate cases, major utility infrastructure projects, and utility climate business plans and clean energy initiatives.   Attends Commission hearings, public meetings, stakeholder working groups and technical conferences. Reviews and analyzes complex financial and accounting regulatory analysis, while also providing practical options for difficult or controversial issues. Reviews and analyzes utility revenue requirements and related cost data for reasonableness and prudency. Evaluate the capital structure of regulated energy utilities, utility financing plans, utility cost of capital trends, and compliance with utility merger commitments. Participates in preparing Orders for rate cases and other regulatory orders involving complex accounting and financial issues. Prepares advisory memoranda and executive presentations.

Qualifications and Education

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.  To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (CS-13) in the normal line of progression, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector.

Advanced knowledge of the theory, concepts, principles, and practices of utility finance, accounting, and auditing to serve as a senior authority in technical and regulatory matters, relating to regulated energy and telecommunication entities in the District of Columbia.  Expert knowledge of accounting and auditing principles applicable to cost of service, revenue requirements, rate base, rates, depreciation, operating expenses, and revenues.  Advanced knowledge of utility ratemaking theory used to develop and present costs of capital, rates of return, and credit ratings analysis.  Knowledge of industry trends and practices, as well as Commission orders, FERC, DOE, SEC, and other industry developments.  Expert knowledge of the sources of financial and other data specifically related to regulated utilities including the rules and statutes under which the Commission functions.  Expert knowledge of the rate-making process, including revenue requirement and rate design and their application to regulated energy and telecommunications entities.  Expertise of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to studies and issues.  Ability to perform broad and complex research tasks, and skill in identifying problems and making recommendations for changes and revisions.  Excellent skill in oral and written communications to develop cross-examination questions, prepare data requests, develop reports and comments on accounting and auditing matters, render advice to Commissioners, respond to inquiries, and make presentations.  Knowledge of the applicable laws, regulations, and practices of the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia.  

A.  Applicant must have a degree in accounting, auditing; or a degree including auditing courses in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.

or

• B.   Applicant must have a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge.

The applicant's background must also include one of the following:

1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a concentration in business/accounting/auditing.

Licensures, Certifications and Other Requirements

CPA, CMA, Chartered Accountant highly preferred.

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed primarily in an office setting; however, a modest amount of travel to conferences and meetings both within and outside of the District may be necessary.

Other Significant Facts

Pay Plan, Series, Grade:  CS-0511-14.

Salary Range:  $122,504 - $157,829 Per Annum, based on funding.

Tour of Duty:  8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Promotion Potential:  No known promotion potential.

Duration of Appointment:  Career Service Permanent.

Collective Bargaining Unit:  This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME, District Council 20, and you may elect to join the union.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residence in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement:  The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.