Auditor/Internal Auditor

About US:

At Cogent Infotech, we believe in creating opportunities that empower individuals and transform organizations. With over 21 years of excellence in consulting and talent solutions, we pride ourselves on building inclusive workplaces and driving innovation in everything we do. Our diverse teams bring unique perspectives to help deliver cutting-edge solutions to global clients across both public and private sectors.

Job Title: Auditor (Utility Domain)

Contract Role: 3-4 Months (Working hours will be 275-300 hours)

Remote Role

Part Time position

Position Summary
The Independent Utility Operations Auditor will conduct a focused audit of utility companies regulated by the client. This role involves evaluating management practices, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and intercompany transactions to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness for ratepayers.
Key Responsibilities

Assess how the Companies ensure that personnel responsible for regulatory oversight are sufficiently qualified and have the appropriate level of knowledge regarding New York regulatory and ratemaking principles, including an assessment of the Companies reliance on parent and affiliated companies.

Review the Companies succession planning processes, including an assessment of the Companies reliance on parent and affiliated companies.

Assess the Companies role in decisions about equity infusions and dividend payments

Review the treasury service provided to the Companies by Liberty Utilities.

Review affiliate transactions to ensure the Companies follow the cost allocation manual and associated processes.

Assess the reasonableness and adequacy of the cost allocation manual to determine if it facilitates cost causative allocations where possible.

Determine if service level agreements are utilized and if they provide adequate protection for New York ratepayers.

Assess the adequacy of internal controls and frequency of audits of cost allocations to the Companies.

Determine if direct and indirect labor and benefits (e.g. pensions and OPEBs), and direct and indirect O&M expenses (e.g., indirect allocation intercompany) are calculated at the parent company level or at the regulated utility level, and if such calculations and allocations are reasonable and consistent with utilities of similar organizational structure

Assess the methodology for calculating and allocating direct and indirect labor and benefits (including pensions and OPEBs), corporate overheads (for capital projects), and direct and indirect O&M expenses to determine if amounts allocated to the Companies are accurate and reasonable and consistent with industry practices.

Review the Companies procurement policies and procedures to determine if they align with best practices

Determine if the Companies are utilizing the most cost-effective means to procure goods and services, assess the transparency of procurement processes, the level of competitively bid contracts, and associated internal controls and tracking mechanisms.

Assess how the Companies determine whether to use internal or contracted resources.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Bachelors or Master s degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field

Minimum 5 years of experience in utility auditing, regulatory compliance, or financial analysis

Strong understanding of public utility operations and regulatory frameworks

Experience with intercompany cost allocations and incentive compensation analysis

Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills

Ability to work independently and manage complex audit projects

Preferred Qualifications

CPA, CIA, or similar professional certification

Familiarity with New York State Public Service Law

Experience working with water, gas, or electric utilities

Knowledge of procurement and financial management systems

Cogent Infotech is a leading tech consulting firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, offering cutting-edge digital transformation solutions in Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and AI. ISO-certified and CMMI Level 3 appraised, we proudly partner with 70+ Fortune 500 companies and 150+ government agencies. Cogent is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any protected status under applicable law