Principal Accountant

Summit Utilities, Inc.; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Job summary

Summit Utilities, Inc. seeks a Principal Accountant to lead the Shared Services & Operations Accounting team. This role reports to the Senior Accounting Manager and focuses on journal entries, reconciliations, analysis, and close processes for service and utility entities.

The ideal candidate has extensive GAAP expertise, strong analytical and leadership skills, and experience in regulated utilities. CPA or CPA candidate is preferred; advanced degree a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of accounting experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a regulated utility preferred, in regulatory or accounting staff.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required; CPA or CPA candidate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Shared Services & Operations Accounting team; review/approve journal entries and reconciliations.
• Research and apply GAAP; ensure month-end close accuracy for service, debt holding, and utility entities.
• Prepare/review balance sheet reconciliations; analyze monthly variance and financial statements.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Advanced degree preferred

CPA or CPA candidate preferred

Job description

Join our growing team and discover why Summit Utilities, Inc. continues to earn national and regional recognition as an employer of choice. Our recognitions include Best Places to Work in Maine (2019–2025); Best Places to Work in Arkansas (2020, 2023, 2025); Best Places to Work in Oklahoma (2022–2025); Best Places to Work in Missouri (2023 and 2026); Best Places to Work in Colorado (2025); Forbes America’s Best Small Employers (2023); and, most recently, Proud and Purposeful Employer (2026).

Summit is a growing natural gas utility providing safe, reliable, and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers, and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Accountant (SGL17). This role may be hybrid-based in one of our offices in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Maine; or remote in Texas.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Principal Accountant position is primarily focused on being the go-to person for the Shared Services and Operations Accounting team within the Accounting Department. This position will support the Senior Accounting Manager and team with reviewing/approving journal entries and reconciliations, as well as research and analysis and special projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead by example, providing guidance and support to the team, ensuring compliance with all company and accounting policies.
• Assist with research and compliance of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles rules.
• Prepare and/or review journal entries in accordance with policies and month-end close schedule to accurately reflect financial accounts in the general ledger for service companies, debt holding entities, and utility entities as applicable.
• Prepare and/or review reconciliations of balance sheet accounts monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Review monthly variance analysis, along with preparing or assisting in the preparations of the monthly financial statements package and other reporting as required.
• Support the successful completion of the interim and annual financial statement audits.
• Work with FP&A, Regulatory, Operations, Engineering and Program Management to research and resolve any issues with operating results.
• Assist with regulatory rate filings including data requests.
• Other Ad-hoc requests pertaining to the Shared Services & Operations Accounting team and their support to other departments.
• Become the primary person for systems knowledge. Lead resolution processes for system issues and enhancements.
• Assist with training of new employees and new systems when implemented.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 7 years of accounting experience
• Minimum 3 years in a regulated utility preferred, preferably in either the regulatory department or on the accounting staff
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required.
• Advanced degree preferred
• CPA or CPA candidate preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Analytical Capability – Strong analytical and processing skills. Sophisticated understanding of how to prepare and use financial information and metrics to model potential outcomes from regulatory processes.
• Leadership Skills – Ability to articulate clear business outcomes and enroll the organization in the achievement of extraordinary results.
• Communication Skills – Ability to clearly and credibly articulate complex information to a variety of internal and external constituencies.
• Personal Values – Demonstrated values consistent with the values of Summit Utilities. Well respected, solid reputation. High integrity and commitment to appropriate governance.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice, and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.