Auditor Iii - Boston, United States - Dept of Public Utilities

Dept of Public Utilities
Dept of Public Utilities
Verified Company
Boston, United States

2 weeks ago

Mark Lane

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Mark Lane

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Description
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is an adjudicatory agency overseen by a three-member Commission. It is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth.

In addition, the DPU is charged with developing alternatives to traditional regulation, monitoring service quality, regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas, and the siting of energy facilities.

The mission of the DPU is to ensure that consumers' rights are protected, and that utility companies are providing the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost.

The DPU oversees the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline-related accidents, and the energy facilities siting process. The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

***Incumbent analyzes financial reports, documents and records; audits financial records of utility companies; prepares various reports; provides technical assistance to agency staff and public and private agencies and companies; develops information for preparing regulations, rate cases, report forms, and procedures; and performs related work as required.


Incumbent will work both individually and as a team member with other economists, auditors, accountants, regional planners, and attorneys on a wide range of cases, including reviewing electric, gas, and water utility filings for changes in base rate revenue requirements and rate structures, other surcharges, and financing petitions.

The position requires competency in cross-examining company and intervention witnesses.

Reviewing, analyzing, and preparing oral and written recommendations for the Commission on utility requests for changes in base rate revenue requirements, base revenue allocations, rate design, other surcharges, as well as financing agreements.

The Auditor also participates in all facets of assigned cases, including developing information requests, questioning expert witnesses during hearings, drafting memoranda and policy recommendations, as well as writing sections of DPU orders.

Additionally, the Accountant will examine accounting data submitted annually in Annual Returns to the DPU.


The purpose of this role is to examine, analyze, audit, and interpret accounting records of gas, electric, and water utilities for the purpose of providing recommendations and writing draft decisions for the DPU.

The incumbent analyzes financial reports, documents, and records; audits financial records of utility companies; performs audit control functions; and provides technical assistance to agency staff.


DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Investigate rate changes, audit petitions, and audit reconciliation filings from the utility companies on matters where professional accounting expertise is needed by researching the Department's precedent, generally accepted accounting principles, regulatory accounting principles, and where applicable, tax law:

  • Analyzes rate requests and finance petitions from utility companies, financial reports and records, documents, and costs studies to determine if they are consistent and compliant with regulations, Uniform System of Accounts, and policy goals. Makes recommendations.
  • Issues data requests, crossexamines witnesses, drafts memoranda and sections of DPU orders, and applies mathematical techniques of accounting research.
  • Draft sections of DPU's decisions that consist of (i) company proposal, (ii) positions of the parties, and (iii) analysis and findings for the issues assigned.
  • Audits financial records by reconciling financial transactions and statements; verifying the accuracy of accounting entries and financial records; and reviewing the financial policies and procedures of companies audited to ensure compliance with standard accounting practices and applicable laws, rules and regulations, Uniform System of Accounts, and DPU precedent.
  • Provides technical assistance to agency staff by advising them on such matters as cost recording systems and fiscal and financial compliance with established procedures; by interpreting applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and by explaining agency reports, regulations and procedures.
  • Develops information for preparing regulations, report forms, and procedural manuals by analyzing fiscal objectives and requirements and conferring with agency personnel to obtain statistical data and supportive documentation to conduct effective and comprehensive examinations of financial records.
  • Install accounting procedures consistent with the requirements of law, the Uniform System of Accounts, and DPU precedent.
  • Check utility records used to support development of proposed utility rates.
  • Plan, organize and implement audits of utility company concerns by deciding the scope and format to be used in conducting audits and examinations and by reviewing audit procedures.
  • Prepare various stat
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