Planning Analysis & Reporting Lead

American Electric Power; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 137,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Planning Analysis & Reporting Lead in Columbus, OH to oversee budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and management reporting for multiple corporate and operating units. This role drives financial performance, supports senior management reporting, and leads improvement initiatives across finance and accounting processes.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, 7+ years of experience (3–5 years in budgeting/cost control), and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or Engineering.
• MBA, CPA, CMA or PE preferred.
• Minimum 7 years experience including 3-5 years in budgeting / cost control.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate budgets, forecasts, and variance explanations for each Customer; prepare related financial and project reports.
• Perform key financial and accounting analyses as needed.
• Develop new budgeting procedures with Accounting; assist in implementing improvements.
• Provide leadership and direction for process improvements; coordinate IT resources to implement enhancements.
• Coordinate forecasting, budgeting, accounting policies with corporate financial groups.
• Oversee transaction detail analysis for proper accounting classifications and SOX compliance.
• Provide training to department personnel; establish cross-training for backup.
• Ensure optimization and streamlining of planning and analysis processes; drive continuous improvement.
• Investigate irregularities and resolve noted conditions.
• Conduct special studies and analyses; assist in regulatory data requests.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Leadership

Communication

Planning/Organizing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance/Engineering

MBA or CPA/CMA/PE preferred

Tools

UI Budgets

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office

Business Objects

Job description

Job Posting End Date

11-07-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

The Planning Analysis & Reporting Lead position oversees and coordinates the budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial analysis, improvement requisition process and management reporting of operating and financial results for each Customer [Corporate groups (Finance, Shared Services, Legal, etc), Generation Business Services, Transmission Finance, Customer and Distribution Services, and the Operating Companies] or the AEP System consolidation of O&M/Capital related processes, governance and incentive related measures. Additionally, oversight is provided by this position for any senior and executive management reporting associated with these functional areas or consolidated reporting for AEP earnings call/press release/SEC filings and the AEP Board. This position manages the coordination and development of financial forecasts, reporting of performance/incentive measures and is involved in special projects and analyses to support senior management and business operations. This position is responsible for the preparation and integrity of budgets, forecasts, and the underlying accounting for financial results; and the efficiency and effectiveness of the related processes. This position is responsible for the managerial reporting process and analysis of monthly accounting activity for accuracy. This position has the overall accountability for the accuracy and timeliness of managerial and project financial reports and the data contained therein. Additional duties include coordinating the improvement requisition process in adherence with the Corporate Authorization Policy and Improvement Requisition procedures.

Note: We are looking to hire 2 Planning Analysis & Reporting Lead positions.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

• Coordinate the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and variance explanations for each Customer supported. Coordinate the preparation of associated financial, managerial and project reports and supporting analyses as needed.

• Perform key financial and/or accounting analysis and procedures as necessary.

• Develop new financial/budgeting procedures and work with Accounting to develop new accounting procedures when needed.

• Provide direction, leadership, and support as necessary for improvement initiatives to the financial and accounting processes and/or tools used in these functional areas. Provide direction or oversight to the company's IT resources (internal or contractors) to implement these enhancements as necessary.

• Coordinate and establish policies, procedures, and systems in concert with corporate financial groups for forecasting, budgeting, accounting, and other financial services.

• Oversee the management of transaction detail analysis to ensure proper accounting classifications, recommend reclassification as required to ensure integrity of financial reports and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.

• Provide training to department personnel in the financial and accounting work processes and tools needed. Utilize a cross training program to ensure that adequate backup is available for all activities. Provide resources to assist in the utilization of system software as necessary.

• Ensure that the work processes and procedures of the Business Operations Planning and Analysis group as well as those involving other AEP departments are optimized and streamlined. Oversee a continuous improvement process that works to maintain these processes at an optimized state.

• Follow up on irregularities and abnormal conditions to assure that the noted conditions are properly resolved.

• Perform special studies, analysis, investigations, and assignments as may be required.

• Provide assistance in regulatory proceedings related to financial matters including information for data requests, special studies for Commissions, etc.

What We’re Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelors in Business, Accounting, Finance or Engineering with related experience. MBA, PE, CPA, or CMA is preferred.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• A minimum of 7 years experience including 3-5 years in budgeting / cost control.

Other:

• Prior experience in a functional Business Unit (Generation, Transmission, or Distribution), and/or Corporate Finance and/or Operating Company finance, and/or engineering related field is preferred.

• Proficiency in UI Budgets, PeopleSoft, Microsoft Office, and Business Objects relational database reporting desired. Familiarity with AEP accounting and use of Chartfields desired. Prior leadership experience a plus.

• Key Competencies: Communication, Teamwork, Initiative, Adaptability/Flexibility, Client Focus, Creativity, Planning/Organizing and Understanding the Business and Competition.

What You’ll Get:

• In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-010

Compensation Range:

$136,539.00 - $177,503.00

Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.