Accounting Policy & Research Lead

Job description

SDG&E is not just an energy company, we are the architects of a brighter, cleaner future. Our employees power everyday life for 3.7 million people – bringing the energy to support their passions, ambitions, and the heartbeat of our community. We call Southern California our home. It’s where we chase our dreams and raise our families. That’s why the people who live here deserve an energy company unlike any other, and that’s why every day, SDG&E employees strive to be at the forefront of innovations to reduce emissions, modernize the electric grid, and enable our customers to make the transition to clean technologies.

We’re redefining sustainability, advancing zero-emissions solutions, and driving the electric vehicle revolution. It takes the best to build the best – join us!

Career Level

P4 Primary Purpose: Leads research on emerging standards and designs processes to ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Advises on strategic transactions and drives improvements in policy governance, risk management, and application consistency. This position supports the Company’s SOX compliance program, accounting policy and research activities, and internal control framework. The role evaluates emerging accounting standards, provides accounting guidance on complex transactions, implements accounting policies, and partners with business, IT, and audit teams to maintain effective controls, support system implementations, assess financial reporting impacts, and ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Performs the critical assessment, education, and effective implementation of significant accounting guidance updates on a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and Statutory basis. Consults leadership in Finance areas across the various businesses and corporate departments regarding appropriate accounting treatment for significant, complex, and strategically important transactions. Adheres to standards regarding proper documentation, review and execution of all accounting policy decisions and conclusions related to significant transactions.

Conducts thorough research and analysis of new accounting standards, providing detailed insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new accounting policies into existing processes and systems. Negotiates with internal stakeholders to adopt new accounting practices and resolve conflicts. Oversees integration of new standards into financial systems and reporting processes.

Develops innovative solutions to address gaps in policy application and compliance monitoring. Manage and support the company-wide SOX compliance program, including risk and control documentation, annual scoping and planning, compliance tracking, deficiency remediation, and management reporting. Advise business units on SOX/ICFR compliance, internal control design, documentation requirements, and control enhancements while promoting internal control awareness and best practices.

Support quarterly financial reporting and disclosure activities, including the preparation of financial data, evaluation of accounting impacts related to significant projects and contracts, and implementation of new accounting guidance. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Typically requires a 4 year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Typically requires 8 years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to interpret evolving standards and assess potential organizational impact. Ability to mentor less-experienced professionals in accounting research practices. Ability to review and challenge accounting conclusions prepared by others. Knowledge of specialized or complex accounting areas requiring significant judgment. Knowledge of standard-setting processes and authoritative hierarchy of guidance. Skill in advising stakeholders on accounting policy implications of strategic decisions.

Skill in leading in-depth accounting research for complex or ambiguous transactions.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong knowledge of SOX, ICFR, COSO, business process controls, and financial reporting risks. Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications

CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and/or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.