Principal Accounting Analyst-NorthStar Clean Energy

NorthStar Clean Energy decarbonizes the economy by providing clean energy and carbon management solutions to utility, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers enabling them to meet their sustainability and business goals. Additionally, we own and operate natural gas assets throughout the United States. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit www.northstarcleanenergy.com.

This position is with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy company, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.   

The Principal Accounting Analyst – NorthStar oversees provision of general/sub ledgers, records, and financial reports, reviews the preparation and analysis of different projects, accounts and financial statements, and oversees the performance of NorthStar accounting functions. Prepares financial statements, related disclosures, and analysis for NorthStar projects and consolidated results.  Performs technical accounting reviews and analysis, with the ability to work with Technical Accounting and business leaders and items such as leases, derivatives, financing transactions, and M&A. The Principal Accounting Analyst will provide audit support for NorthStar, including various operating project and projects under construction.  Take the lead at providing accurate and timely financial reporting under the direction of the Director of Accounting – NorthStar.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares financial statements, related disclosures and analysis across NorthStar and related project companies.  Prepare complex ad hoc reporting as needed to support audits, stakeholder requests, studies, surveys and other supporting requests.  Makes presentations to Sr. Leadership at NorthStar and CMS.  Present financial statements and results to outside stakeholders to NorthStar, including but not limited to auditors, tax equity, equity owners, lenders, customers, and suppliers.  
• Provides accounting guidance utilizing general accepted accounting principles and regulatory resources to direct proper charging of expenditures partnering with various departments across the organization including leadership inside and outside of NorthStar.  Work with Technical Accounting and business leaders on technical matters, including but not limited to derivatives, taxes, leases, consolidations, HLBV, financing and M&A transactions.   
• Review the processing of month end close to ensure accurate financial records and timely preparation of the financial statements. Provides highly complex data and financial analysis in support of external/internal customer requirements and audit requests and to ensure all activity is properly recorded in accordance with financial policies and procedures (including O&M vs. capital).    
• Delivers reliable and highly precise execution of day-to-day Business Operations by review of the general ledger to ensure all activity is properly recorded including such items as: cost accounting activities (including journal entries and managing overheads and allocations), forecast development, complex variance analysis, risk and opportunity coordination and cash flow management (to include timely analysis/reconciliations).   
• Provides complex data and financial analysis in support of external/internal customer requirements and audit requests. Reviews for completeness, accuracy and compliance with company standards. Additionally, analyzes highly complex data and expenditures to validate the appropriateness of charging.   
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Financial Statement preparation and analysis experience 
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting procedures and principles 
• Able to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while adhering to deadlines    
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office programs 
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting software    
• Excellent written and oral communication skills     
• Strong analytical skills and problem solving 

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required
• Master's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• CPA license preferred
• 7+ year's experience in roles with responsibility for Accounting analysis
   

Why should you join our team?

At NorthStar Clean Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at NorthStar Clean Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women’s Advisory Panel (WAP), Women’s in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.