Senior Staff Accountant

Search Location(s)

Chicago, IL

Employment duration

Full time

Job Brief

Day-to-day financial close leader including ensuring premium, reserving, reinsurance, and other sub processes report into the general ledger. Leader of statutory accounting team ensuring all reporting is accurate, timely, and reconciled.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review of footnotes to the GAAP and stat financial statements including

• Preparation of financial statement footnotes and support

• Review journal entries prepared by staff accountants and posting those to the general ledger

• Working with Finance systems to develop reports that eliminate manual feeds of data.

• Reviewing and writing review comments to improve documentation and support of financial statements.

• Assisting the financial reporting manager in researching accounting issues including documenting the relevant background, analyzing the issues at hand, analyzing which guidance is relevant, applying the applicable guidance to the facts of the situation, and drafting a proposed conclusion for the accounting manager and controller to consider.

• Assisting the financial reporting manager in the testing of internal controls

• Carrying out and documenting internal controls over financial reporting.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelors and or masters degree in accounting from a reputable not for profit university

• Active Certified Public Accountant

• Minimum of two years of experience, two of which must be from the Big Four or six years of accounting without Big-Four audit experience.

• Experience in auditing and or preparing statutory yellow books.

• Ability to learn and then train staff on using HFM, Oracle, or other tools

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to manage and train staff on using HFM, Oracle, or other tools in either in a direct or matrix reporting relationship
• Extensive experience with financial statement assertions and building support for auditors
• Extensive experience in internal controls including: control walk-throughs, designing internal controls, and testing the design and operating effectiveness of controls
• Ability to work beyond a normal work day schedule as and when necessary to hit financial reporting deadlines
• Strong desire to increase knowledge and expertise both as an accountant and a professional in the insurance industry
• Ability to learn how to research and document accounting policies, draft complex technical accounting memos, explain those positions in plain English to non-accountants, and assist the controller with building a consensus with senior executives and the external auditors

• Basic knowledge of commercial insurance concepts, coverage and underwriting

• Proficiency with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word or other data based applications

• The ability to work independently or in a team structured environment to meet common goals, objectives and deadlines

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and commitment to project ownership, accuracy and completion on a timely basis

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to collaborate with all levels of staff and management

• Ability to organize, prioritize and timely manage large volumes of work and meet deadlines with minimal supervision

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physical demands are considered to be that of an office environment, climate controlled, with minimal physical exertion.This position requires prolonged sitting, ability to utilize a computer and interactions with others meetings or via phone.

• Ability to travel as necessary for business reasons.

BENEFITS

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, education assistance and paid time off.

IFG Companies is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. M/F/D/V

PM16

PI101114764