Technical Accounting & External Reporting Manager

Summary

Spire is hiring a Technical Accounting & External Reporting Manager at its downtown St. Louis (MO) location.  This individual contributor will be an experienced member of the External Financial Reporting team and has the primary responsibility of managing all technical accounting research activities, including developing appropriate accounting policies, implementing new accounting standards, and completing special projects.  This position also assists in the preparation and review of external financial reports for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other external parties. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct accounting research and serve as technical resource to the business units and broader organization; stay current on developments and issues in the industry, assess impact of new FASB standards and SEC regulations and develop related implementation strategies, and prepare white papers and train staff on technical topics and emerging issues.
• Manage all technical accounting research activities: determining appropriate accounting treatment for new transactions, implementing new accounting pronouncements, evaluating existing accounting policies, and evaluating and structuring solutions to various financial reporting issues.
• Maintain accounting policy and procedures related to GAAP/FERC
• Research and resolve accounting issues. Prepare technical memorandums documenting issues in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner.
• Contribute to periodic financial filings with the SEC, MoPSC, FERC, and other external parties ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance with accounting and disclosure standards in a timely manner
• Assist in the preparation and review of the Quarterly/Annual Reports on Form 10-Q/K and supporting documentation.
• Assist with XBRL compliance, and with compliance with SEC filings on forms 8-K, 11-K, S-8, etc.
• Maintain integrity of external financial reporting process by ensuring controls in the external financial reporting department are operating effectively.
• Provide technical review of various presentations including Investor Relations, Treasury, and Board of Director materials, press releases, Proxy statements, and various ad-hoc presentations.
• Assist in preparation and distribution of reports/documentation to external auditors during annual audit and quarterly reviews.
• Communicate with external auditors on external financial statements, filings, accounting policies and related matters to ensure auditor agreement with decisions on accounting and disclosures.
• Review stock-based compensation, temporary equity, and lease accounting calculations to ensure compliance with US GAAP.
• Assist in M&A activity, including review of purchase accounting to ensure compliance with US GAAP.
• Promote process improvement activities, and lead next generation artificial intelligence initiative for external reporting
• All other duties as assigned

Essential Characteristics and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, including exposure to many (but not necessarily all) areas particularly relevant to the Company, such as pensions and other postretirement plans, stock-based compensation, derivative instruments and hedging, regulatory accounting, deferred income taxes, business combinations, segment reporting, asset retirement obligations, leases, and revenue recognition
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to evaluate abstract concepts to identify practical concrete applications and solutions  
• Good verbal and written communication skills, with ability to interact with (and communicate complex accounting standards to) all levels in the organization
• Knowledge of SEC reporting standards and (preferably) XBRL
• Knowledge of general business and financial concepts
• Attention to detail
• Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Excel and Word
• Ability to proficiently use the internet and accounting research databases to quickly locate accounting guidance

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role is an individual contributor and does not have direct reports, HOWEVER it coaches and mentors others in technical accounting principals

Required Education (certifications, licenses)

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent REQUIRED; Master’s degree preferred
• CPA  REQUIRED

Required knowledge, skill and abilities

• Minimum SIX (6+) years of experience in corporate accounting REQUIRED; preferably including two years in SEC reporting or auditing SEC clients in a public accounting firm
• Ability to write technical accounting memos to support Company accounting positions REQUIRED
• Excellent knowledge of US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations REQUIRED
• Experience presenting to leadership/senior leadership REQUIRED
• Experience writing disclosures/accounting policies included in the Company’s filings REQUIRED
• Experience performing accounting & reporting research and interpret findings for Company impact and disclosure REQUIRED

Physical demands, environment and schedule

• HYBRID work arrangement: 3 days/week in-office, 2 days/week remote.
• Work is performed in a shared, open-office environment.
• Requires work during nonstandard business hours with occasional travel.

Company Overview

At Spire, we believe energy exists to help people. To enrich their lives, grow their businesses, advance their communities. It’s a simple idea, but one that’s at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to understanding the needs of the homes and businesses we serve. That's why we're always looking for driven, collaborative people to join our team. Because we believe that offering our customers the best service means bringing together the best people.

And we find the best by hiring those who share our values of drive, safety, inclusion and integrity, and demonstrate our four essential behaviors that bring the Spire vision, mission and culture to life:

• We make it happen: We are a company of go-getters, acting on every opportunity to help our company advance
• We collaborate: We put teamwork first, bringing in everyone’s ideas, because our collective energy makes us stronger
• We seek out perspective: We challenge ourselves to be open to different ways of doing things, because learning from each other leads to breakthroughs
• We care: We treat people how we want to be treated, listening closely and doing what’s right, even when it’s hard

By living our values and behaviors every day, we strive to create an environment where every employee feels welcome, respected and valued.

Posting Requirements

• We accept online applications through our career site at jobs.spireenergy.com 

Disclaimer:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Spire Inc., and its subsidiaries are an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer