Accounting Policy and Research Accountant – Gulfport, MS
The position is located in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Summary of Position Duties
The responsibilities for the Accountant position include:
- Research, provide sound guidance on, and document technical accounting and reporting issues affecting the company
- Review of contracts and various proposed or completed transactions to determine and document the required technical accounting and financial statement disclosure impacts
- Evaluation of the impact of new accounting standards and participation in the adoption of the new standards
- Assistance in establishing accounting policies for Mississippi Power and the Southern Company system
- Participation in quarterly and annual financial reporting process
Job Experience and Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required, CPA or MBA is desired
- Two years of accounting or auditing experience is required
- Public accounting firm experience is preferred
- Research of FASB Codification experience is preferred
- Lease, software, and/or derivative accounting experience is preferred
-
Utility accounting experience is desired
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of FASB, SEC, and FERC accounting and reporting standards and requirements
- Ability to research technical/complex accounting issues
- Strong oral and written communications skills with the ability to understand and explain complex accounting issues to a varied audience
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with accounting, auditing, various functional areas and levels of management
-
Understanding of the regulatory rules and requirements unique to the utility industry (preferred)
Behavioral Attributes
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities
- Self-directed, proactive and able to handle multiple projects and competing deadlines
- Intellectual curiosity and rigor
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting
- Two years of accounting or auditing experience
- Knowledge of FASB, SEC, and FERC accounting and reporting standards and requirements
- Ability to research technical/complex accounting issues (FASB Codification experience preferred)
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills to interact with accounting, auditing and management
- CPA or MBA
- Public accounting firm experience
- Lease, software, and/or derivative accounting experience
- Utility accounting experience
- Understanding of regulatory rules and requirements unique to the utility industry
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
What We Do
Southern Company Services, Inc., headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the shared services division of Southern Company.







