Analyst II - Sr I, Business Support

Analyst II - Sr I, Business Support

Description

Southern Company is a leading producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, and we approach each day as a vital step in building the future of energy. At Southern Company we are always looking ahead, and our innovations in the industry-from new nuclear to deployment of electric transportation and renewables -help brighten the lives and businesses of millions of customers nationwide.

The Analyst Controls and Compliance position supports centralized coordination and internal control expertise to ensure Shared Services Support (SSS) effectively executes the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) for the SSS owned SOX controls, Operations Compliance and Separation Protocol requirements and Southern Company policies. This role reports to the central point of contact with the Internal Controls and Compliance (ICC), Internal Auditing and External auditors for SSS audits and controls testing, coordinating, and tracking all activities. Executing and performing quality reviews for all controls owned by SSS, assessing technology changes for financial control impacts, assist with design decisions for SSS related projects, upgrades, and releases. Responsibilities will also include supporting assessments of control failures, associated financial impacts, deficiency evaluations and remediation.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Education
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Technology, Audit, or related discipline is required.

Job Experience

• Minimum of three - five years' experience in financial applications, accounting, and compliance (financial controls, technology controls or audit). Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certifications desirable.
• Assist management and/or ownership of compliance or SOX related controls.
• Experience with assessing risk, controls and compliance requirements and aligning associated business and technical processes for effective and efficient risk mitigation.
• Demonstrate continuous process improvement in areas related to compliance/processes/systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Practical knowledge of financial and technology SOX controls and best practices.
• Practical knowledge of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and its application to the effective use of functional processes and technology to support the accuracy of financial statements.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of compliance policies, regulatory requirements, and segregation of duties.
• Fundamental knowledge of financial business processes e.g., accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, etc. and related technologies. Oracle ERP, Powerplant, and Maximo knowledge would be a plus.
• Ability to effectively apply business process, SOX, and technology knowledge to evaluate financial impact and risk to assist with decisions for identification of key financial applications (KFA).
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage, build credibility, and maintain strong relationships with Technology Organization management, Operations Compliance, Internal Controls and Compliance, Internal and External Audit, and business partners.
• Ability to make timely, effective decisions with appropriate consideration of facts, application constraints, stakeholder impacts, considerations of strategic and tactical implications and enterprise-wide strategies/goals.

Behavioral Attributes

• High degree of initiative and personal responsibility "ownership" for assignments.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work with a team, build superior relationships, and collaborate across AFT, Internal Audit and TO organizations.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize workload.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the company culture - Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance and Total Commitment.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Controls and Compliance Coordination and Support

• Subject matter expert and authority for SOX and compliance requirements.
• Provide management and oversight of SSS SOX controls scope including control population, processes, documentation, performance assessment, quarterly monitoring, and deficiency assessments and remediation.
• Authority and subject matter expert for SSS owned manual and automated controls.
• Subject matter expert for segregation of duties, logical access, and change management controls.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships/partnerships with TO, business organizations and Internal and External Audit to facilitate and influence effective and efficient control and audit processes.
• Single point of contact for internal and external audit processes and support including audit scoping, risk assessments, coordinating and tracking audit requests, resolution of audit findings and deficiency evaluation and remediation.
• Provide strategic direction for SSS controls process improvement opportunities.
• SSS controls and compliance representative on the Accounting Finance and Treasury Technology Leadership Team and other SSS related governance teams.
• Provide guidance and training for new SSS control owners and performers.
• Perform Quality Assessment Reviews for SSS SOX controls and Operations Compliance.
• Assist ICC with assessment of new SSS key financial applications (KFA).
• Assist with ICC Annual System-wide Segregation of Duties Control Assessment for SSS owned KFAs.
• SSS liaison with ICC and SSS BPAR for Enterprise Insights strategic use for effective and efficient control processes, reporting design and testing.

Special Projects

• Participate on various SSS project teams as needed, providing consulting for compliance, risk and SOX control requirements, processes, and best practices.
• Support SSS projects with controls and compliance related strategies and decisions, ensuring KFA related projects meet SOX requirements and have defined control processes, owners, performers, documentation, and appropriate evidence artifacts.

Disclaimer:

This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law. #LI

Job Field: Accounting & Auditing

Job Type: Standard

Primary Location: Alabama-Metro Birmingham/Eastern AL-Birmingham

Operating Company: Southern Company Services

Other Locations: Georgia-Metro Atlanta-Atlanta, Mississippi-Coastal Area-Gulfport

Job Type: Standard

Travel (Up to): Yes, 25 % of the Time

Work Location(s):

The Energy Center - 3535 Colonnade Parkway (3535Birmingham)

3535 Colonnade Parkway

Birmingham, 35243

Atlanta Region Office - 760 Ralph McGill Blvd (760ATLANTA)

760 Ralph McGill Blvd

Atlanta, 30312

MPC Corporate Headquarters - 2992 West Beach Blvd (2992GULFPORT)

2992 West Beach Blvd

Gulfport, 39501

Req ID: SCS2011275