Financial Analyst - Governance

Financial Analyst

JOB SUMMARY
The Financial Analyst will provide governance, compliance, allocation, and analytical support to Southern Company Services (SCS) organizations and Southern Company affiliates by ensuring the timely and accurate review of financial segments and the reporting of those segments for the budgeting organization. This position will help ensure chart of account and project segments are assigned accurately, consistently, transparently and in accordance with all applicable accounting policies, internal controls, affiliate requirements, and Southern Company policies. Key responsibilities include supporting allocation methodologies and governance, reviewing financial account setup, documenting decisions, monitoring compliance, coordinating affiliate segments, and recommending process and control improvements. The analyst will serve as a trusted partner to financial and non-financial managers by translating complex allocation and compliance requirements into clear, practical guidance.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead and support governance process for SCS Budgeting
Develop, maintain, and communicate allocation methodologies, procedures, decision criteria, and supporting documentation.
Evaluate allocation bases by determining which organizations, affiliates, customers, projects, or services benefit from the associated costs.
Promote consistent use of allocation drivers, POET, template maintenance, class categories, and other financial coding across business units.
Review financial transactions, cost assignments, and allocation results for accuracy, consistency, reasonableness, and policy compliance.
Provide guidance to managers regarding GAAP, Southern Company accounting policies, affiliate requirements, internal controls, and allocation practices.
Coordinate periodic allocation reviews, certifications, documentation updates, and stakeholder approvals.
Maintain audit-ready support for allocation methodologies, controls, assumptions, approvals, and key financial decisions.
Identify control gaps, compliance risks, inconsistent practices, and opportunities to improve governance, transparency, and efficiency.
Partner with Accounting, Internal Controls, Audit, Legal, Regulatory, Tax, HR, Supply Chain, and business-unit stakeholders as appropriate.
Coordinate affiliate rate case, audit, and regulatory support related to cost assignments, service company charges, and allocations.
Develop and deliver training, job aids, and communications for financial and non-financial users on allocation and compliance requirements.
Consolidate governance and compliance reporting for SCS management, including trends, exceptions, remediation items, and decision points.
Participate in special projects and system or process changes by assessing allocation, compliance, control, and documentation impacts.
Establish and maintain effective relationships and communications with business-unit and affiliate budget managers.
Demonstrate strong organization, documentation, facilitation, and communication skills
Ability to analyze data and effectively communicate SCS financial story
Coordinate annual budget preparation and communications
Prepare and communicate monthly variance reporting and comprehensive analysis for budget, actual, and projection information
Provide guidance to managers regarding GAAP and Southern Company accounting policies
Ensure compliance with internal controls and make recommendations regarding needed changes and efficiency improvements
Provide guidance on accounting policies and activities to non-financial managers
Consolidate reporting for roll up and management reporting for SCS
Gather data and analyze periodic cost projections and budget data
Participate in special projects by gathering information and providing analysis
Establish and maintain effective relationships and communications with business unit and affiliate budget managers
Strong organization and communication skills are a must
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related business field required
CPA, CMA or MBA/other advanced degree preferred
Experience:
Minimum of 3 months experience in accounting, finance, industrial engineering, or business administration required.
Utility accounting experience is preferred
Experience in accounting, allocations, shared services, accounting policy, or governance preferred
Experience documenting processes, controls, methodologies, decisions, and supporting evidence preferred.
Demonstrated experience with Oracle
Cloud ERP, OACS, Oracle Planning, and PowerPlan is preferred
Strong experience in Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Power Point, and Access) highly desired
Process or project management experience desired
Experience coordinating multiple business units’ requests and ensuring goals and objectives are met
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Detail-oriented with strong initiative-taking critical thinking skills and excellent follow-through
Working knowledge of governance, risk, compliance, internal controls, and documentation practices
Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills
Demonstrate organizational and planning skills
Knowledge of utility and regulatory accounting standards and GAAP principles desired
Knowledge of data management and retrieval techniques with strong technical skills
Ability to evaluate whether an allocation methodology is equitable, supportable, repeatable, and aligned with the beneficiaries of the cost or service
Ability to identify compliance risks, control gaps, inconsistencies, and root causes, and recommend practical corrective actions
Conceptual thinker and ability to quickly understand our Accounting System, POET Codes and be able to understand how segments are used
Ability to multi-task and adapt to a changing environment
Ability to coordinate project creation process for all project types, including capital and integration with PowerPlan
Detail-oriented with strong follow-through, documentation discipline, and personal ownership
Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with accounting, auditing, various non-financial functional areas, and varying levels of staff and management
Ability to operate in a matrix organization and communicate clearly
Effective oral and written communication skills
Demonstrate personal ownership and initiative
Anticipate and proactively communicate process decisions and bottlenecks
Demonstrate sound business judgment in decision making
Other attributes include proactive, team player, and strategic thinker
Knowledge of Enterprise Foundations principles preferred
Thorough understanding of techniques and methods for accounting, budgeting, cost tracking, financial projections, and interrelationships with affiliate accounting and budgeting functions

About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers and communities needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here

Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicants 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.

Southern Company Services