Billing & Accounting Analyst

JOB FUNCTION:

Provides business analysis and system support related to operations and projects, including billing enhancements as well as ongoing system support for the Customer Information System (CIS) and billing issue resolution. Responsible for ensuring Business Unit satisfaction with system functionality, support, enhancements, status updates and training needs as required. Provides accurate and timely reporting. Analyzes special or complex rate and billing situations. Researches, assesses need, and gathers data to develop, coordinate and implement recommended solutions. Develops processes and guidelines for Revenue Management work practices and procedures. Recommends, leads, and implements department/division projects, initiatives, and assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Billing and System Support

Coordinates, monitors, and administers utility and non-utility billing function. Ensures policies related to the billing function in the Customer Information System are in accordance with the Company’s Tariff. Monitors and coordinates the monthly closing process to assure the closing schedule is met and adheres to established guidelines to ensure accurate and timely recording of revenues. Develops and recommends policy direction for billing solutions that support the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ initiatives. Organizes, plans, collaborates, participates with cross functional working groups in the Company to implement new pricing tariffs, processes, and procedures. Analyzes special or complex rate and billing situations. Researches, assesses need, and gathers data to develop, coordinate and implement recommended solutions. Develops and maintains database and spreadsheet applications to compute billing determinants for complex and specialized billing situations maintained outside of the Customer Information System and Meter Data Management systems. Assists Billing team with issues and problems as they arise. Assists with administering and creation of non-commodity invoices. Manages defects and new requirements. Investigates, analyzes, and resolves system application issues by applying knowledge of application functionality and associated business processes. Interacts effectively with business unit users and IT personnel to prepare change requests for system enhancement/modification and to ensure the design changes meet business/regulatory requirements. Approves technical designs, test plans, and various stages of systems development. Investigates, tests, and implements new software technologies in support of continuous improvement of the billing process, especially related to specialized billing situations. Coordinates, tests and implements feeder system interfaces (i.e. MV90, advanced metering and meter data management systems) collaborating with Information System personnel as required.

Reporting

Assists the Revenue Management team with managing the area’s Sarbanes-Oxley (“SOX”) Reports and General Ledger Reconciliation related to SOX controls. Coordinates audits with internal and external auditors. Provides support and manages documentation for the section’s forecast and budget related matters. Compiles data for balancing, reconciliation, and reporting requirements for internal and external parties. Analyzes large volume of data with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Prepares and reviews monthly account reconciliations and journal entries to submit to Finance and Accounting.

Process Improvement

Researches and analyzes current work practices and develops processes that will result in increased user effectiveness, improved system accuracy, cost containment as well as increased customer satisfaction. Organizes, facilitates, and performs financial, statistical and operational studies to support process improvement initiatives and interprets process documentation. Works closely with ITS support team to develop recommended policies, guidelines, and procedures related to process improvement initiatives. Supports initiatives and projects in new technology, customer options and services, and/or process improvement that cross multiple organizations. Participates in cross functional teams/projects, including system integration and package-based implementation projects. Participates in process design activities and workshops.

Training and Documentation

Researches, assembles, coordinates, and maintains Section’s training material and document all required Business and Regulatory requirements to enable understanding and resolution of system and/or process problems. Assists in identifying specialized training needs and coordinates training sessions for department/division/section personnel. Assists in training users by developing documentation of business policy and procedural changes, communicating changes, and performing informal and formal training. Coordinate the review, revision, and approval of procedures. Disseminate often complex information on a variety of related procedure issues and present it in a clear, concise form. Serves as subject matter expert to business unit on internal controls and accounting issues. Ensures documented procedures and controls are in compliance with SOX. As an SAP power user, provides support to department users, troubleshoots, and resolves general problems within the functional area of expertise, documents, and reports problems to the Help Desk, and helps department users learn how to problem solve independently. As a Meter Data Management power user, provides support to department users, troubleshoots, and resolves general problems within the functional area of expertise, documents, and reports problems to the Help Desk, and helps department users learn how to problem solve independently. Organizes, coordinates, maintains, and updates Customer Information System rate databases for all Companies in accordance with published Tariffs approved by the PUC. Updates include all price changes filed with the PUC on a monthly, quarterly, annually (i.e. Energy Cost Recovery Clause factors, DSM) as well as all base revenue and revenue adjustment unit pricing changes related to General Rate Increases approved by the PUC. Develops test data and performs test of rate changes prior to implementing new rates or change in rate structures. Collaborates and coordinates with other sections in the Company to implement new pricing structures/tariffs and validate accuracy of calculations to meet SOX compliance.

Special Projects

Provides assistance with rate case testimonies, information requests, and other special projects as requested. Prepares specialized reports and confidential documents as required. Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

Thorough knowledge of electric utility and non-utility billing, forecasting, budgeting methods and systems, payroll, and financial information systems; management theories and practices normally acquired through college level courses or equivalent experience. Working knowledge of other SAP modules and functionality as it relates to billing and revenue reporting. Working knowledge of MDMS as it relates to billing and revenue reporting. Working knowledge and proper interpretation and application of company’s tariff and rates, rules and regulations and collective bargaining agreement. Working knowledge of personal computers and/or mainframe systems. Demonstrated proficiency in using PC software programs (spreadsheets, word processing, database, presentation, and graphics) for fairly complex applications. Working knowledge of data processing and security concepts and techniques. Working knowledge of Customer Billing and Financial systems. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline preferred.

Skills Requirements

Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills to effectively collaborate with all levels in the company and external groups. Demonstrated effective presentation skills to present information in a professional manner. Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting and work collaboratively across functional areas, levels, and departments to develop and implement process improvement initiatives and solutions. Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement in handling confidential and sensitive information and maintain a high level of integrity and work ethic. Demonstrated analytical and computational skills for preparing, monitoring, and analyzing forecasts. Ability to apply innovative and creative problem-solving skills. Ability to learn quickly when facing new challenges. Demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism in a fast paced, multitasking work environment. Demonstrated leadership, flexible in interpersonal style, and ability to influence and persuade various groups or individuals, frequently dealing with sensitive, difficult, or confrontational issues. Strong commitment to teamwork and customer service.

Experience Requirements

Several years (3-5) of experience in billing and rate design. Several years (3-5) of experience in accounting, budgeting/forecasting, finance.

Role:  Professional 

Number of Vacancies:  1 

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