Accounting Consultant

Non-Union Position
Business Controls; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)
Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.
Regular FT
Posting # 4728 About Us:
At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.
In addition to environmental stewardship, We're also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility. The Role:
This is a key position leading the SOX Compliance Team, reporting directly to the Technical Accounting & SOX Manager. The position is responsible for overseeing the Company's internal controls and control environment for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), including Section 404. This position is a member of a Center of Excellence for Accounting policies and procedures. This position oversees the SOX Compliance Team and will work closely with other accounting team members, various business departments, internal and external auditors, and upper management including Executives. Day to Day:
Direct and oversee the Company's SOX compliance program including supervising the SOX Compliance Senior Analyst
Serves as contact point for SOX process owners and updates process documentation upon changes in business practices.
Lead and monitor SOX efforts to ensure that design and operational effectiveness are maintained.
Lead the development, documentation and implementation of controls and processes.
Researches, interprets and implements requirement of new audit standards for internal control over financial reporting.
Responsible for owning the SOX tool (AuditBoard SOXHub) including supporting documentation.
Prepares deficiency evaluations and assists business owners with remediation.
Monitors and prepares reports on the status of quarterly compliance requirements.
Coordinates requests from internal and external auditors for client prepared work papers and oversees annual audit schedule.
Prepares reports on Section 404 compliance to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Performs risk analysis and monitoring of risks including segregation of duties and access reviews.
Performs ongoing SOX scoping and implementation for changes in the business including acquisitions, company changes and systems, and changing standards and guidance.
Participates in a Center of Excellence for Accounting policies and procedures, including automation advancements.
Prepares and leads company-wide SOX trainings and promotes SOX compliance.
Performs financial analysis and prepares special reports, as required.
Establishes and maintains working relationships with outside industry contacts and businesses to stay current with developing trends and leading practices in accounting and financial reporting.
Supports Company's commitment to a culture of safe work practices.
Assists in special projects as assigned. Come on your first day with:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting and CPA certificate preferred.
8 years of progressively responsible accounting experience required, with a minimum of 3 years experience in a leadership role.
Public accounting experience is preferred.
Experience in a public company is preferred.
Requires demonstrated leadership experience in directing and leading a department; delegating and coordinating employee activities; skill and commitment to coaching and developing employees.
Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and a working knowledge of SOX compliance and remediation requirements.
Understands business processes, process controls and its impact on financial reporting.
Proven analytical skills with a focus on technical accounting rules and experience in researching accounting issues.
Strong conflict resolution skills; ability to mediate and resolve problems between internal and external stakeholders.
Must combine attention to detail with the ability to envision the big picture and proven critical thinker.
Ability to work independently.
Must have a high degree of proficiency in organization, planning and project management.
Requires outstanding ethical standards consistent with company policies, procedures and practices, etc.
Proven ability to function in a team environment and act as a technical resource and provide information and training to others.
Strong PC Skills for word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
Demonstrated background in applying analytical/accounting research skills.
Excellent verbal skills, ability to apply group facilitation techniques and make group presentations.
Strong writing skills, including task documentation and report writing.
Proven ability to meet deadlines, including strong time management and organizational skills.
Ability to facilitate and coordinate projects.
Ability to work and interact cross-functionally.
Experience with accounting software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) is required. What we offer:
Health & Wellness –
Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
Free access to an online wellness resources platform
Work Life Balance -
Up to 23 Vacation Days
80 Hours of Sick Time
10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
Flexible work arrangements
3 weeks paid parental leave
Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women's Network and many other Employee Resource Groups
1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room
Financial -
Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
Competitive 401K company contribution and match
15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
Wellness incentive program
Discounts -
20% off natural gas service
Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless Base salary range: $104,250.00 - $148,550.00 per year, depending on qualifications
Annual Target Incentive: Grade 22 , 12.0% target
Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout. Deadline: 6/9/24 Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations.
All applications must be submitted through NW Natural's Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.
NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates' diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at or .
NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.