Accounting Policy Specialist

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
CNA seeks to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees that helps them - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.
For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, check out our Candidate's Guide .
Job Summary
The Accounting Policy team supports senior management and other functional areas in the interpretation and application of accounting and regulatory standards. The team is responsible for ensuring that the company's US GAAP, IFRS, and Statutory accounting policies are in compliance with current FASB, IASB, and NAIC standards and are consistent with SEC regulations and industry practice. The successful candidate will have a background in accounting policy research, or insurance accounting, with excellent communication skills.
This position reports to the Director of Accounting Policy and plays a critical role in researching and interpreting accounting guidance, monitoring and advising on emerging standards, consulting on complex transactions, and preparing technical accounting memos. The role collaborates with fellow Accounting Policy team members and corporate customers to form well-reasoned accounting conclusions and to develop appropriate accounting policies.
The role contributes to enterprise objectives through recurring and project based work, and involves close collaboration with other areas throughout the company, including GAAP Reporting, Statutory Reporting, Investments, Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, P&C and Corporate Accounting, Reinsurance, Tax, and Legal. This role provides significant opportunities to enhance and develop insurance accounting skills and high visibility to senior leadership, as well as a diverse set of business partners.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
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Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Acts as an advisor to the business and contributes to the accounting analysis of complex and non-routine transactions
• Contributes accounting policy expertise to large, cross-functional projects, ensuring that applicable accounting and regulatory guidance are applied appropriately. These projects may include: impact analysis and implementation of newly issued GAAP, IFRS, and statutory accounting guidance, benchmarking analysis of industry peers, and accounting evaluations of new enterprise initiatives.
• Monitors developments in accounting or other technical guidance from standard setters and regulatory agencies (e.g., FASB, SEC, NAIC, IASB) to ensure that the company is aware of emerging issues with a potential impact; provides regular reports on emerging standard setter activities to senior team members.
• Independently performs quarterly recurring processes (e.g., preparation of accounting memos, review of disclosure checklist).
• Acts as liaison between team and external auditors, ensuring that all audit support is provided timely, and all questions addressed.
• Leads or supports senior team members in providing stakeholder education to deliver key takeaways regarding emerging accounting issues to leadership and impacted business areas.
• Provides accounting analysis, interpretation and advice to leadership to resolve technical issues; drafts and reviews technical accounting memos.
• Continuously challenges policies and procedures and implements process improvements, as appropriate.
• Contribute to other accounting and finance special projects, as needed.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship
Director or above
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of USGAAP principles. Familiarity with IFRS, or Statutory accounting principles a plus.
• Excellent research skills and ability to interpret and apply accounting guidance.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and presentation skills.
• Ability to independently own processes start to finish.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with personnel at all levels, and explain complex technical accounting issues to stakeholders from broad range of functional areas.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills; ability to break down complex problems and drive to resolution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree, in accounting or finance, CPA desirable.
• Typically a minimum of 4 to 6 years of related work experience in accounting or audit.
• Previous experience in insurance industry, or in an accounting policy research role is a plus.

* We offer a hybrid work schedule of 1-2 days in the office per week for this role.
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CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] .