Julia Seeley

Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region

• Provide support and advise on PP&E and CIP accounting policies and practices as the Regional SME; provide analysis and advise on capital versus expense decisions
• Utilize spreadsheets to track construction projects and ensure timely transfer to plant to facilitate timely entry into the power repayment study, inclusion in the annual rate calculation, commencement of repayment and assessment of interest on investment
• Utilize computer-based software (FIMS) to create, retire, and account for fixed assets/ projects; to research other financial accounting attributes; to create and submit project accounting journal entries and general journal entries; to record Aid to Irrigation and IOI for CVP & Washoe
• Prepare construction completion reports that include detailed project narrative
• Prepare other written documents and correspondence such as white papers, proposals, capital versus expense analysis explanations, responses to audit questions
• Analyze project accounting, perform reconciliation of active construction projects, analyze project manager status update comments, and make projections on estimated completion to prepare the quarterly plant in service accrual
• Utilize automated software (BOE) to collect data from FIMS to produce Excel spreadsheet for performing data analysis, cost accounting, and reconciliations
• Routinely use automated reports to collect data for calculating IDC adjustments
• Utilize processes to review customer bills to ensure proper charging and coding for electric power and transmission services
• Create and update presentations for annual project manager trainings and present to project managers in person and via Teams meeting
• Utilize a variety of communication and training techniques to assist internal Finance partners, external Maintenance and IT partners to comply with accounting policies and procedures for construction in progress
• Perform research of historical asset records to prepare Computation of Plant Retirements
• Review & approve accounting on capital PRs; backup PR review & approval of accounting for electric power purchases and sales
• Provide training and review monthly CME recon/clearing prepared by Contract Accountant
• Identify, research, and correct ROO errors, coordinating with Rates on issues that may affect rates; devise alternative solutions to mitigate impacts
• Review draft contracts/agreements to ensure sufficient WAPA property ownership language and identify potential contributed assets
• Utilize Word to create and update desk procedures, SOPs, white papers, and to review/update Annual A-123 Internal Control Memos
• Facilitate quarterly meetings between Environmental, Maintenance, and Finance to coordinate information regarding environmental liabilities to ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• Utilize FIMS and WPTBS to create invoices for electric power and transmission services, account for receivables, revenue, and other financial accounting attributes
• Utilize processes to review customer bills to ensure proper charging and coding for electric power and transmission services

Achievements:

• Analyzed Burns and McDonnell’s switchyard valuation estimate used for acquisition of Cottonwood Section G. Analyzed and compared PG&Es and SNR asset detail. Prepared cost analysis information in spreadsheets to affirm the estimate and support SNRs acquisition proposal
• Discovered, investigated, and resolved complex issue, a $500k error in historical asset costs. Coordinated with Rates on potential impacts of alternative methods of correcting the record. Devised and proposed creative alternative resolution that would not affect the annual rate calculations. Influenced management to approve the proposal
• Made improvements to the completion report process for cost analysis of additions and replacements in substation facilities and transmission lines
• Developed methodology to ensure correct asset category assignments that affect repayment on asset investments
• Streamlined CAISO Path 15 and improved value of data recorded: Worked closely with the Settlements Specialist to evaluate processes between Settlements and Finance. Analyzed alternatives and identified improvements
• Applied ingenuity and creativity to adapt asset cost allocation template to accommodate complex projects with multiple funds and many different assets. Met these challenges with enthusiasm as using ingenuity and creativity to solve cost accounting problems is gratifying and enjoyable
• Attained proficiency in computer-based spreadsheets and word processing software Utilized Excel for calculations, analysis, cost estimation and predictions to prepare an amortization schedule for SLTP repayment
• Developed comprehensive presentations of PP&E processes and presented to Auditors
• Participated in the negotiation with BOR to resolve historical IDC allocation issues; influenced decision on correction method

Contractor to Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region

• Prepared CAISO Invoice processing (costing sheets) and recording purchase and sale of electric power; capital movable equipment (CME) Recon, completion reports, backup Accounts Payable, assist with audit samples
• Utilized Oracle-based FIMS to create, retire, and account for fixed assets; to research other financial accounting attributes; to create and submit project accounting journal entries and general journal entries; to enter accounts payable, and research purchase orders

Achievements:

• Within 6 months of hire: Prepared completion report and closed out a $22M multi-funded project (Tracy Double Breaker Double Bus), developed detailed instructions with screenshots for preparing construction completion reports, asset creation, and project closeouts
• Independently analyzed historical asset costs recorded on Results of Operations, Schedule 1 to identify factors that may have affected rates
• Found building asset misclassified as equipment and corrected it by separating the building costs from equipment costs and reclassifying the costs in the correct category. Coordinated with Rates to mitigate any potential impact