I've been doing this for twelve years now and I'm starting to think about what comes next. The utility industry keeps consolidating, more companies are doing audits in-house, and artificial intelligence is handling some of the simpler reviews. My client base in southwest Ohio has shrunk by about 30% since 2015. I'm 48 years old and wondering if I should be looking at other career options or just doubling down on specialization. Anyone else having these thoughts? What's your long-term strategy for staying relevant in this business?
Retirement planning for auditors - anyone else worried about the future?
Kevin, I feel you on this. I'm seeing the same trends here in Oregon. PGE started using automated systems for basic rate verification and that used to be probably 40% of my income. The work that's left requires much deeper expertise - complex demand analysis, power factor corrections, renewable energy integration issues. I've had to become almost like a utility engineer rather than just an auditor. The good news is the remaining work pays better, but there's definitely less of it overall.
You both are hitting on something I've been thinking about too. The basic utility auditing work is disappearing, but there are new opportunities opening up. I've started specializing in solar interconnection disputes and net metering calculations. AEP Texas has been screwing up solar credits left and right, and there's good money in fixing their mistakes. Also seeing more work around electric vehicle charging rate optimization. Maybe the key is evolving with the technology rather than fighting it.
I took a completely different approach - went back to school for energy management certification. Idaho Power has been pushing demand response programs hard, and businesses need help navigating all the rebate programs and rate options. I'm doing less traditional auditing and more energy consulting. Last year I made more money helping companies optimize their load profiles than I did finding billing errors. The work is more complex but also more interesting.
Warren makes a good point about shifting into consulting. I've been adding energy procurement services to my offerings. Duke Energy keeps changing their commercial rate structures, and companies need help choosing between different supply options. I'm also doing more work with multi-state clients who need someone to understand rate differences across territories. The key is positioning yourself as the expert on utility complexity rather than just someone who checks math on bills.
All good points, but let's be realistic - this industry is shrinking for independent auditors. I've been building relationships with law firms that handle utility disputes. There's steady work as an expert witness in rate cases and regulatory hearings. Ameren Missouri just had a major rate case where I testified about demand charge calculations. One case like that pays more than six months of routine auditing work. Maybe the future is fewer clients but higher-value engagements.
Elmer, that's interesting about the expert witness work. I hadn't really considered that angle. How do you get connected with law firms that handle utility cases? I imagine there's a pretty specific skill set they're looking for. The testimony work sounds like it could be a good way to leverage all this experience we've built up over the years.
Kevin, it started through professional references actually. A client got into a big dispute with Ameren over a $400,000 demand ratchet charge and their attorney needed someone who understood the technical details. I wrote a detailed report explaining why the utility's calculations were wrong, and word spread from there. Now I get maybe 3-4 cases a year. The key is being able to explain complex utility concepts to judges and juries who don't understand how this stuff works.
This thread is really helpful - I'm newer to the business but already seeing some of these trends. MidAmerican Energy here in Iowa has automated a lot of their billing verification, so the easy catches are disappearing. I've been focusing on renewable energy integration issues and helping companies understand time-of-use rates. The work is more technical but clients are willing to pay more for expertise they can't get from software. Maybe the future is about becoming more specialized rather than broader.
Rosa brings up a good point about specialization. I think the successful auditors in 10 years will be the ones who become true subject matter experts in specific areas rather than generalists. Whether that's renewable integration, demand response, electric vehicle charging, or regulatory disputes - pick something and go deep. The days of making a living just by catching basic billing errors are probably numbered.
Great discussion everyone. I'm approaching this from a different angle - building partnerships with energy efficiency contractors and solar installers. Black Hills Energy has been pushing distributed energy programs, and there's opportunity to be the utility expert on installation teams. Instead of competing with technology, I'm trying to complement it. The audit skills translate well to helping optimize energy systems rather than just reviewing bills.