Posted: 10-Jun-25
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Type: Full Time
Salary: $55,000-$90,000
Energy Accountant/Auditor
Anticipated Salary Range: $55,000-$90,000
Salary Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeks an Energy Accountant/Auditor who has a passion for public service and an interest in regulating utilities that provide essential services such as energy and water to Virginians. The Division of Utility Accounting and Finance (UAF) provides the Commission with accounting and financial information to use when deliberating utility cases involving rates and services. Utility ratemaking is the formal regulatory process by which public utilities set the prices they will charge consumers. The Energy Accountant/Auditor performs audit work on electric, gas, water, and sewer utility companies to ensure compliance with the law and recovery of all prudent and reasonable costs necessary to provide utility service to Virginians, including the renewable energy facilities such as solar and wind projects, renewable natural gas, and other critical investments necessary to provide Virginians with safe and reliable energy service. These audits are generally performed within the context of a rate application filing that includes an audit period, written testimony of our findings, and oral testimony in a courtroom setting. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, professional development opportunities, and on-the-job training.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform audit work on electric, gas, water, and sewer utility companies to ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory accounting principles, and Commission decisions
- Review accounting transactions including financial reports, records, reserves, assets, revenues, expenditures, income statements, and balance sheets
- Verify revenues, expenses, and investments included in relevant rate adjustment clauses for fuel, safety, renewable energy, and other eligible projects
- Assist with written documentation of audit procedures, calculations, and methodologies
- Communicate with companies and other external contacts throughout the audit process
- Conduct audits of utility company base rate costs and develop projections of costs that are reasonably predicted to occur in a future period
- Prepare written testimony and participate in legal proceedings related to audits
- Travel to audits in or out of Virginia up to 10% of the time
- Attend utility and accounting-related conferences and training events
- Perform other tasks as assigned
Preferred Qualifications
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting or a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting from an accredited institution is a minimum requirement
- CPA designation or eligibility for the CPA exam in Virginia (120 semester hours of education with at least 24 semester hours of accounting courses) is preferred
- Strong knowledge of accounting and/or auditing
- Ability to analyze and interpret financial information
- Critical thinking skills, a curious nature, and strong initiative
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively prepare and present audit findings for work-papers, reports, and testimony
- Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with SCC staff and industry personnel
- Ability to travel in and out of Virginia for audits, trainings, and conferences up to 10% of the time
To be eligible for an experienced Energy Accountant/Auditor (P-10 or P-12), the candidate must have professional experience in accounting, auditing, and/or financial analysis. Related utility regulatory experience is considered a plus. The anticipated salary range for an experienced Energy Accountant/Auditor is $63,000-$90,000. With limited or no prior professional experience, the anticipated salary range for an entry-level Energy Accountant/Auditor (P-8) is $55,000-$60,000.
SCC Information
Located in downtown Richmond, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) is an independent state agency with regulatory authority over public utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, investment securities, retail franchising, and utility and railroad safety, as well as serving as the state’s central filing office for businesses. The SCC is also charged with administering Virginia’s health insurance marketplace. The SCC’s structure is unique. No other state has a single agency with such a broad array of regulatory responsibility.
The SCC offers its employees rewarding, impactful public service work; flexible telework options and work-life balance; and professional development opportunities. We foster a high-performing workforce with a commitment to diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and alignment with the SCC’s mission and strategic goals. Core benefits include competitive health and life insurance programs, pre-tax spending accounts, leave programs, and paid state holidays. Employees participate in a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. The state funds a short and long-term disability program. As a state agency, SCC employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The SCC regulates various companies and industries in Virginia; therefore, to avoid any conflict, employees are required to sign a Conflict of Interest Form and must dispose of any stock they hold in a regulated company or dispose of any licenses or certificates they hold in any industry regulated by the SCC unless otherwise permitted. Employees also shall report employment of household members by a regulated company.
The SCC does not provide employer sponsorship. We use the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
The SCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer, we value and encourage veterans and members of the Reserves and National Guard to apply.
The information you submit must clearly demonstrate your experience and qualifications as they relate to this position. Interview consideration is based on the information submitted online. If requested, the SCC will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation to provide access to the application and interview process. A background investigation is conducted on the selected candidate as a condition of employment.
This position is classified in the SCC Salary Structure as P-8, P-10, or P-12 and will be non-exempt or exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
How to Apply
This position will remain open until filled; however, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by June 30, 2025.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply on the SCC Career Center website at https://careercenter.scc.virginia.gov.