Director, Accounting & Financial Reporting

What you can expect as the Director, Accounting & Financial Reporting:

Provide strategic direction for team with responsibility for preparation and analysis of internal and external financial statements, footnotes and related analytical reports; implementation of technology. Lead team in utilizing technology and drive projects in support of team objectives. Provide direction and support to other business units on financial related matters. Hold team accountable to both technical work standards and service levels, but also to expected interpersonal and professional work demeanor.

• Ability to direct all activities related to statutory financial reporting including all regulatory reporting, external audits, regulatory exams, rating agency requirements and implementation and maintenance of accounting policy.
• Ability to direct all activities related to GAAP and non-GAAP financial reporting including all internal reporting, external audits, implementation and maintenance of accounting guidance, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring team successfully executes on the timely and accurate completion of the monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and footnotes of the Sammons Financial Group (SFG) member companies.
• Provide value-added evaluation of the need for financial reinsurance, pricing of reinsurance, the negotiation of treaty terms and treaty review prior to execution.
• Ensure all internal controls related to the preparation of financial statements are well designed, well documented and effectively implemented.
• Effectively communicate meaningful and actionable information to meet the business needs of SFG leadership as it relates to the financial results, capital management, investments, pricing, etc.
• Provide support to staff in order to develop and maintain a high performance culture that encompasses the SFG member company core values.
• Participate in a number of management committees such as the Model Governance Working Group, Capital management group, etc.
• Work directly with and support external auditors and regulatory examiners in areas of responsibility applicable to the external audits and exams. Monitor staff interactions with auditors and provide coaching and guidance to build staff skills.
• Apply knowledge of the SFG entities, business units, chart of accounts, profit centers, hierarchies, processes and controls in order to evaluate the team's ability to effectively implement changes in the organization that impact Financial Reporting.
• Apply knowledge of SFG technology platforms or new technology in order to effectively anticipate and utilize staff to implement changes in the organization that impact Financial Reporting.
• Responsible for setting the financial plans.
• Partner in identifying, prioritizing and assigning special assignments and projects; drive and monitor execution of projects to meet departmental goals.
• Oversee the documentation and maintenance of all written job duties, procedures and internal control functions related to Financial Reporting.
• Communicate effectively professionally, and positively with areas outside of Corporate Accounting to proactively, identify and implement projects that impact Financial Reporting.
• Develop and maintain effective positive, and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels across the organization including several geographic locations.
• Maintain a high performance culture that encompasses the SFG member company core values of Accountability, Openness, Respect and Integrity.
• The workload may occasionally demand additional work outside of the company's standard 40-hour work week.
• Drive and reinforce commitment to internal controls processes such as those under Model Audit Rule and Record Information Management.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Openness)
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required
• Master's Degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years' accounting and financial reporting experience in the insurance industry required
• Demonstrated leadership through developing, coaching, and mentoring of others within and beyond team
• Collaborative team skills within and outside of Corporate Accounting and the ability to work in a positive fashion toward common organization goals
• Extensive knowledge of complex accounting and financial reporting requirements unique to the life insurance industry
• Possess an understanding of the various processes required to prepare and support of the annual audited financial statements
• Possess a fundamental understanding of policy administration systems and the accounting processes within those systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively discuss complex topics with senior leaders outside of Corporate Accounting and external auditors
• High degree of analytical and critical thinking skills and a professional judgement disposition
• Ability to identify and resolve complex issues and direct resources across teams to achieve results
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, delegate and allocate time and resources effectively; ability to meet strict deadlines is necessary
• High degree of professionalism, motivation and intellectual curiosity; courage to address challenging issues in a professional and positive fashion
• Ability to adapt to change and quickly identify, comprehend and react to complex topics that impact the business
• Demonstrated understanding of insurance-industry specific skills beyond accounting and finance
• Ability to direct individuals within and beyond team to identify and apply appropriate software to efficiently achieve objectives
• Demonstrated ability to research and implement the most complex existing and emerging insurance industry GAAP and stat accounting concepts
• Strong knowledge of insurance products and how the economics of those products are reflected in accounting results
• Ability to research and understand new accounting and financial reporting requirements including in-depth knowledge of how to apply the existing Statutory Codification guidelines and the unique aspects of GAAP insurance accounting
• In-depth knowledge of general ledger system processing, and back-office systems that drive the accounting processes
• Overall knowledge of internal controls and how to document and maintain those controls
• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work-related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records.

Sammons® Financial Group (SFG) Member Companies offer some of today's most sought after life insurance, annuity, and retirement planning products. Unlike most financial organizations, our companies are not publicly traded, which means we're focused on long-term value rather than short-term earnings pressures. As a privately held company, our leaders and employees remain consistently focused on long-term growth, making decisions that allow us to deliver on our commitments to customers, distribution partners, our employees, and our communities. Individually, our companies provide value in the products and services they offer. Together we represent a history of strength and longevity.

What you can expect when you join SFG:

• A casual dress code including jeans
• A rich company culture driven by private ownership and intentional leadership inspiring employees to engage in our healthy, high-performing and values based culture.
• Healthy balance between work and personal lives. Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO and generous number of paid holidays
• Great benefits including medical, dental, vision, wellness plan, charitable giving programs, education assistance... to name a few ESOP-A generous 100% company funded retirement plan