Assistant Divisional Controller – Reinsurance Accounting

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Divisional Controller – Reinsurance Accounting is accountable for the reinsurance accounting operations of the company, to include the production of periodic financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the company's reported reinsurance financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and statutory accounting principles (SAP).

This individual has extensive knowledge of GAAP, SAP, reinsurance accounting, monthly close, financial report preparation and daily reinsurance accounting activities and reconciliations, as well as valuable communication with various levels of clients and management.

This position includes supervisory responsibilities.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ensures month-end reinsurance accounting financial statements are completed using appropriate close procedures, accounting journal entries and reconciliation of general ledger accounts on a timely and accurate basis.
2. Ensures analysis of reinsurance account balances, unusual items and discrepancies, necessary adjustments and reconciliations of balance sheet accounts are appropriate.
3. Leads the monthly reinsurance accounting close cadence and monitors accountability.
4. Reviews ledger management of new entity acquisitions and organization chart changes.
5. Identifies manual processes for automation to improve efficiency. Identifies process improvement opportunities, including those related to automation using available technologies. Sponsors related projects for the reinsurance accounting team.
6. Understands Schedule F for funding and penalty impacts.
7. Works with brokers on collection initiatives as needed and relaying that information to management.
8. Ensures that reinsurance cessions are calculated correctly and billings and settlements with reinsurers are performed in accordance with contractual terms.
9. Leads the periodic funding request process for unauthorized and other credit risk reinsurers.
10. Serves as the subject matter expert on the implementation of a new reinsurance solution.
11. Ensures the design, documentation and implementation of processes and controls including key metrics.
12. Participates in the annual audit process and works closely with external auditors and state regulators to complete exams.
13. Manages the control process ensuring all significant reinsurance balance sheet and income statement accounts are reconciled and thoroughly reviewed.
14. Collaborates with other accounting team members and the broader accounting team on project goals.
15. Works with management to ensure all organization teams are working efficiently. 
16. Designs and maintains controls for accounting related ERM tasks.
17. Leads staff training on current technologies and transition to new systems and processes.
18. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, participating in professional societies.
19. Mentors accounting staff and business users on Microsoft GP, Prospero and accounting concepts, techniques, technology and processes.
20. Performs other activities, duties and assignments as needed or requested.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field or equivalent experience.

- 10+ years’ progressive accounting responsibility.

- 10+ years’ experience working with a general ledger package; transactional and subledger systems; month close and financial statement preparation.

- Experience in troubleshooting and resolving reconciliation, ledger and reporting issues.

- Experience in effectively managing staff of two or more.

- Insurance industry knowledge and a working knowledge of insurance systems (policy & claim) required.

- Experience in ceded reinsurance accounting required.

- Ability to multi-task and learn quickly.

- Ability to self-start and research independently.

- Ability to handle and resolve conflicts in a professional, tactful manner.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

- Attention to detail and organizational skills.

- Strong sense of accountability, comfortable making recommendations and taking accountability for outcomes.

- Working knowledge of transactional systems such as Microsoft GP and Prospero preferred.

- Knowledge of statutory preparation software such as Wings is helpful.

- Knowledge of best internal control practices and SAP and GAAP policies required.

- Ability to meet deadlines in a multi-priority, fast-paced environment both independently and within a team environ