The job of chief public utilities accountant is a position that exists in all state governments and in the municipal government of larger cities. This is a senior position for which you need to have at least three years of work experience in the area of professional accounting, fiscal management or work in the general area of public utilities accounting. Most of the professionals who hold these positions have worked their way up through the ranks and apply for a transfer to the position when a vacancy occurs.
Some of the duties you will have to perform in the position of chief public utilities accountant include collection of financial data from public utility offices and other sources. You will have to organize this data and analyze and interpret it to prepare financial evaluations of the services. You may have to act as an expert witness before the Public Service Commission with the results of your interpretation of the data you collect. This means you must really understand the data because you may be questioned and cross-examined about your conclusions. At the same time, you may have to critique and analyze the testimony of accountants or witnesses called by the attorney representing the utility company.
You will have a staff of accountants and accounting technicians and clerks in your office for which you will have to provide supervision and training. Part of the responsibility of this position will be to provide financial and economic advice to the legal professionals in your department. Providing technical accounting information also falls within the scope of this job, so you will have to supervise your staff members in preparing the information after which you must review it to ensure that it is accurate and complete. When the public utility companies change their accounting procedures, it will be your responsibility to review these changes and make reports on their propriety.
To perform well in the position of chief public utilities accountant, you will need extensive knowledge of the practices of accounting as it relates to public utility companies. You will need to have an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field and be a certified public accountant licensed by the state. Financial auditing of the various records will be one of the tasks you perform on a regular basis, which means that you need to have knowledge and experience as an internal auditor. The certification for internal auditors would be beneficial to help you obtain this type of position.
Skill in analyzing financial data is essential for the position of chief public utilities accountant. In addition to the educational qualifications and knowledge specific to the job, you also need to have excellent interpersonal skills in order to develop the effective working relationships with your colleagues that will keep the office running smoothly. You also need excellent oral and written communication skills top prepare and deliver the financial reports and information. Good organizational skills, the ability to multi-task and the ability to prioritize are also good qualities that will help you succeed.