Finance Manager II

Job Summary

• Manage the preparation of financial statements and reports, regulatory filings, and financial presentations for internal and external parties.
• Monitor and analyze the regulatory changes for applicability at the Life companies, including AICPA, FASB, IFRS, NAIC, and state insurance departments, and assist in the implementation of new accounting guidance.
• Responsible for the preparation of accurate and timely internal and external financials including STAT and IFRS audited financial statements.
• Ensure successful financial submissions to Zurich.
• Manage ongoing audit and review process, including review of financial statement analytics, supporting schedules, and roll-forwards, and interaction with external auditors.
• Responsible for the continual monitoring, assessment, and recommending improvements to the control environment, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Manage training, development, and carry out performance reviews.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages the timeliness and accuracy of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities.
• Manages the effectiveness of the financial control environment.
• Coordinates CFO and FAR Controller sign-off for monthly financial results.
• Supervises assigned personnel.
• Responsible for professional and technical development of staff; responsible for hiring accounting staff and developing performance plans and performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Responsible for managing the process to prepare accurate and timely internal and external financials, including GAAP and IFRS audited financial statements.
• Coordinate and review audited financial statements.
• Coordinate ongoing audit and review process, including p reparation and/or review of financial statement analytics, supporting schedules, and roll- forwards, and interaction with external auditors.
• Manages the preparation of monthly reconciliations and related analysis.
• Coordinates work flow and procedures, sets priorities for FAR area.
• Prepares financial reports for senior management, FGI and Zurich.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Maintains policies and procedures for accounting practices within scope of the role, while ensuring adequate and current documentation in all file preparation according to ICF guidelines.
• Develops and maintains expert knowledge of GAAP and IFRS financial reporting and directs changes to Farmers Life Financial Statements.
• Strong abilities in analyzing, interpreting, and projecting financial data; develops recommendations to aid management in short and long-range financial planning.
• Analyzes AICPA, FASB and IFRS regulations and opinions to determine applicability to Farmers Life; recommends changes in accounting procedures as necessary to comply with applicable regulations and help implement new accounting guidance.
• Reviews accounting procedures, work papers and reports, both mechanically and manually generated, recommending changes and implement ing revisions as needed.
• Reviews work of assigned personnel as part of financial close, and provide guidance as necessary.
• Develops and maintains MS Office and SAP systems expertise and shapes the direction of the accounting system changes and delivery of information to end users.
• Supports internal, financial accounting systems, coordinating system enhancements and new reports as necessary.
• Manages preparation of monthly financial statement fluctuation analysis.
• Maintains, executes and controls automated accounting transactions.
• Manages the calculation and posting of monthly accrual entries.
• Coordinates with other departments to calculate and post accrual transactions in the accounting system.
• Evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of accounting systems and recommends enhancements as needed.

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• CPA or CMA designation preferred.
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt preferred.

Experience Requirements

• External candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of prior Accounting or Finance experience, including at least 1 year as an Accounting or Finance supervisor.
• The same time-on-job requirement is preferred for internal candidates.

Special Skill Requirement

• Self-starter and driven
• Able to work independently
• Advanced MS Word and Excel skills
• Familiarity with MS Access software
• Proficient in applicable business software such as SAP, WINGS, or LifeComm.

Physical Actions

• Required job duties are essentially sedentary in nature, consisting of occasion walking, standing, lifting and/or carrying ten pounds maximum, seeing, speaking, and hearing.

Physical Environment

• Required job duties are normally performed in a climate- controlled office environment.