Accounting Research Manager

FirstEnergy Corp.; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy Corp. in Akron, Ohio, seeks an Accounting Research Manager to lead the accounting research function, provide GAAP and SEC guidance on complex transactions, and partner with senior leaders to ensure accurate financial reporting.

Reporting to the Vice President, Controller, you will supervise a small team, monitor new accounting standards, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive policy development and compliant disclosures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• CPA designation, or other similar certification, preferred
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive accounting experience, including significant technical accounting and financial reporting responsibilities
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements
• Demonstrated experience researching and resolving complex accounting issues and applying practical solutions to technical accounting matters
• Significant experience with SEC financial statements, reporting requirements, and related disclosures
• Strong understanding of internal controls, financial reporting processes, and accounting policy development
• Proven experience managing accounting projects, implementing accounting standards, and leading process improvements
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supervising accounting professionals and managing cross-functional initiatives
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex accounting concepts to diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative accounting guidance and recommendations on complex business transactions and accounting matters
• Research, analyze, and document technical accounting conclusions in accordance with GAAP and SEC requirements
• Develop actionable alternatives and recommendations for management consideration, ensuring decisions are supported by sound analysis and business rationale
• Serve as a subject matter expert on technical accounting issues and accounting policy interpretation
• Monitor, evaluate, and interpret emerging accounting standards, regulatory developments, and SEC reporting requirements
• Assess the potential impact of new accounting pronouncements on the organization and communicate implications to leadership and key stakeholders
• Coordinate the implementation of new accounting standards, interpretations, and reporting requirements across the Company
• Prepare responses and position papers related to proposed accounting standards that may significantly impact the organization
• Partner with the Financial Reporting team to review and prepare disclosures for SEC filings and other external reporting requirements
• Support the preparation and review of technical accounting memorandums and accounting position papers
• Assist in evaluating the accounting implications of strategic initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, financing activities, and other significant transactions
• Communicate technical accounting guidance and recommendations to senior leadership and business partners
• Prepare and deliver presentations regarding accounting developments, policies, and complex accounting issues to various levels of management
• Collaborate with external auditors to support technical accounting conclusions and ensure appropriate documentation of accounting positions
• Research, develop, and maintain Company accounting policies and procedures
• Lead, develop, and mentor a small team of accounting professionals
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while ensuring timely completion of deliverables

Skills

GAAP knowledge

SEC reporting

Accounting research

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA designation

Job description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

Job Description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About The Opportunity

This is an open position within FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

The reporting location for this onsite position will be FirstEnergy's corporate headquarters, located in Akron, OH, 44320.

The Accounting Research Manager is responsible for leading the Company's accounting research function and providing technical accounting guidance on complex business transactions, emerging accounting issues, and financial reporting matters. This role serves as a key advisor to senior leadership, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting requirements, and evolving accounting standards.

Reporting to the Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, the Accounting Research Manager evaluates complex accounting matters, develops practical recommendations, and coordinates the implementation of new accounting standards across the organization. The role also partners closely with Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, business leaders, and external auditors to support accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and informed business decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting Leadership

• Provide authoritative accounting guidance and recommendations on complex business transactions and accounting matters
• Research, analyze, and document technical accounting conclusions in accordance with GAAP and SEC requirements
• Develop actionable alternatives and recommendations for management consideration, ensuring decisions are supported by sound analysis and business rationale
• Serve as a subject matter expert on technical accounting issues and accounting policy interpretation

Accounting Standards and Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor, evaluate, and interpret emerging accounting standards, regulatory developments, and SEC reporting requirements
• Assess the potential impact of new accounting pronouncements on the organization and communicate implications to leadership and key stakeholders
• Coordinate the implementation of new accounting standards, interpretations, and reporting requirements across the Company
• Prepare responses and position papers related to proposed accounting standards that may significantly impact the organization

Financial Reporting Support

• Partner with the Financial Reporting team to review and prepare disclosures for SEC filings and other external reporting requirements
• Support the preparation and review of technical accounting memorandums and accounting position papers
• Assist in evaluating the accounting implications of strategic initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, financing activities, and other significant transactions

Stakeholder and Audit Support

• Communicate technical accounting guidance and recommendations to senior leadership and business partners
• Prepare and deliver presentations regarding accounting developments, policies, and complex accounting issues to various levels of management
• Collaborate with external auditors to support technical accounting conclusions and ensure appropriate documentation of accounting positions
• Research, develop, and maintain Company accounting policies and procedures

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a small team of accounting professionals
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence
• Manage multiple projects and priorities while ensuring timely completion of deliverables

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, or other similar certification, preferred
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive accounting experience, including significant technical accounting and financial reporting responsibilities
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements
• Demonstrated experience researching and resolving complex accounting issues and applying practical solutions to technical accounting matters
• Significant experience with SEC financial statements, reporting requirements, and related disclosures
• Strong understanding of internal controls, financial reporting processes, and accounting policy development
• Proven experience managing accounting projects, implementing accounting standards, and leading process improvements
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supervising accounting professionals and managing cross-functional initiatives
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex accounting concepts to diverse audiences

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas currently.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.