Director - Accounting Automation

Assurant has an exciting opportunity for a Director, Accounting Automation! Overview of Position Assurant is sponsoring a multi-year, multi-phase financial systems and process transformation program. This role will be critical for application design, process transformation, and making recommendations to enhance current state activities related to the Accounting Automation component of a broader financial systems and process strategy. Specifically, the Director of Accounting Automation will be a key Finance and Accounting resource leading select workstreams to support Assurant’s implementation of a market-leading cloud ERP solution and associated financial systems architecture. The individual in this role will use their deep accounting skills, knowledge and prior experiences to lead the design and implementation of key accounting functions/processes in a new accounting subledger and ERP platform. This individual will also identify, make recommendations to senior finance stakeholders, and lead efforts to migrate current accounting processes to the leading practices facilitated by having a modern financial systems platform. Initially, the individual in this role will be responsible for providing functional and financial process leadership to the design and implementation of the new platform and best practice processes. In the future, the role will assume responsibility for the ongoing system/applications management, support, and enhancement of the accounting subledger and related functions, with a focus on continuously identifying, recommending, and executing on opportunities to better streamline and gain efficiencies in the Finance function through leveraging the investment we have made in a new systems platform. As new functionality and capabilities are added to the financial systems platform, this role will have responsibility for ensuring smooth integration onto the platform and will proactively identify and mitigate any potential risks. What will be my duties and responsibilities in this job? Strategic: Lead efforts within Finance and Accounting to design and implement best practice for automated accounting solutions as part of an overall financial systems platform Identify, recommend, champion, and execute on opportunities to enhance existing accounting processes taking into consideration the requirements of the overall Global Finance organization Leverage prior Accounting and Finance experiences and expertise to identify, propose, and implement automated solutions and reduce reliance on manual processes, with a focus on prioritizing the remediation of those processes that currently have the most risk and/or inefficiency Actively engage and educate business process owners on solution optimization, simplification and standardization capabilities within the new platform through the reference of prior experiences and other relevant use cases Serve as a change agent for the Global Finance organization in designing and implementing best/leading practices across Assurant Champion efforts to adopt delivered functionality and established practices and resist the need for customizations and off-system work arounds Clearly and effectively demonstrate to stakeholders how proposed solutions and workflows will help move the Finance and Accounting function forward towards achieving its goals Tactical: Work closely and collaborate with key Finance and Accounting stakeholders, IT, and third-party consulting resources across various locations to design, test, implement, and support a global financial systems platform, with overall responsibility for leading the Accounting Automation workstream component of the overall program Work with stakeholders to understand functional requirements for each area and then develop functional and process solutions in the new tool, while ensuring those requirements are properly understood and communicated to overall program team Determine how to best implement functional requirements in financial systems architecture Develop creative solutions to effectively meet complex business requirements using delivered functionality Work with internal and external auditors to ensure proposed system design, configuration and functionality complies with core control and audit requirements Create, deliver, and/or support communication and training activities associated with areas of responsibility Ensure program deliverables are completed in accordance with established timelines Escalate issues and open items to program management, as appropriate Effectively collaborate with workstream leads, program team members, Human Resources, Change Management, Corporate Communications, and other key resources supporting the program Responsible for the continuous improvement of accounting processes with automation and procedural enhancements Leadership Lead cross-functional teams responsible for the design, implementation and support of the accounting subledger related functionality Provide thought leadership and direction to team Ensure team members have appropriate performance goals and provide ongoing feedback and hold performance discussions on a regular basis Effectively, prioritize and assign task and deliverables. Leverage appropriate resources across the Enterprise ensuring collaborative decision making consistent with strategic goals of the Enterprise. What are the requirements needed for this position? Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent area of study CPA and/or MBA Preferred A minimum of 10 years prior financial accounting/auditing and financial systems experience Prior experience in implementing and managing detailed accounting entries and processes in a complex, global organization Strong data management and analysis skills Strong working knowledge of and experience with insurance policy/claims data and attributes Strong working knowledge of warranty programs and data elements Strong working knowledge of core insurance financial reporting concepts such as earnings, DAC, IBNR, etc. Experience with and understanding of the flow of information from various policy/business admin systems to the general ledger Strong understanding of multiple bases of accounting (e.g., U.S. statutory, local regulatory, tax, IFRS) and the use of a multi-book ledger environment Strong working knowledge of financial and management reporting data needs and reporting requirements Strong knowledge of general ledger and accounting principles Strong knowledge of working in various currencies across multiple legal entities Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting, Management Reporting, and Planning/Forecasting Processes Strong business and financial acumen Strong change management acumen Experience in designing and implementing Finance and Accounting process and workflows Strong influencing, facilitating and consulting skills in working with stakeholders at all levels in the organization and across departments Experience in defining, scoping, and managing technology initiatives from a Finance and Accounting perspective Experience in leveraging technology to improve finance processes Adaptability and flexibility including the ability to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity and change Understanding and experience with international regulatory reporting and payment processes a plus Strong planning and organizational skills Experience in handling and effectively prioritizing multiple concurrent tasks and meeting strict deadlines Ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the organization Ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and business partners Must be a team player and able to partner with business, operational, technology, and financial areas Ability to lead and motivate teams to reach a common goal Advance proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Visio Prior experience in Insurance/Financial Services industry a plus Previous experience on transformation projects required #LI-Remote #Finance22 #AssurantProudMS Pay Range: $97,100.00 - $161,900.00 The posted pay range considers a wide range of compensation factors, including candidate background, experience and work location, while also allowing for salary growth within the position. Helping People Thrive in a Connected World We work with the world’s top brands to make smart devices simpler. Vehicles last longer. Homes more secure. Problems easier to solve. And we volunteer in communities all over the globe to help the world become a greener, better place. We come from a variety of countries, cultures and backgrounds. But we’re united by our enduring values of common sense, common decency, uncommon thinking and uncommon results. So connect with us. Bring us your best work and your brightest ideas. And we’ll bring you a place where you can thrive. Learn more at jobs.assurant.com. For U.S. benefit information, visit myassurantbenefits.com. For benefit information outside the U.S., please speak with your recruiter. Our Culture Defined Our unique culture is a big reason why talented people choose Assurant and why they tend to stay. Although we have a wide variety of skills and experiences, we share common characteristics that are uniquely Assurant. A passion for service. An ability to innovate in practical ways. And a willingness to take chances. We believe that staying on top doesn’t mean sacrificing our values. We believe clarity of vision and a sense of purpose will carry us forward. And we take charge of our own success. We call it The Assurant Way. Company Overview Assurant is a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products and other specialty products. Equal Opportunity Statement Assurant is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not use or consider race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law in employment decisions. Assurant is the company that protects and secures the places people live and the things they buy. At Assurant, you will help us protect what matters most – our businesses and the people around the world that depend on us to keep life moving forward.

Salary : $97,100 - $161,900