Assistant Director Product Accounting

Summary:

Oversees the financial accounting functions for the Company’s investment product subsidiaries, the Wealth Management Company (WMC) and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC. (NMIS), and related control activities, for products, systems, and processes to ensure conformance with GAAP standards and securities and banking laws. Coordinates the monthly close process and provides quality assurance review for accurate, timely and value-added financial statement and analytical reporting products. Leads the development and continuous improvement of key business capabilities that align with the goals and strategies of the Finance Department.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains accounting control standards and documentation for wealth transactions and balances. Collaborates with process owners across the Company to ensure continued compliance with the internal control requirements. Includes all transactions and balances of the broker dealer and wealth management company.
• Provides subject matter expertise in all stages of projects, generally cross-departmental strategic efforts with high risk and/or significant complexity, for assigned products, systems, and processes. Represents and advocates for finance involvement, identifies and communicates key issues, and shares best practices and insights on wealth related systems projects. Ensures that all necessary financial accounting information is completely and accurately captured in the financial accounting systems. Influences other leaders to employ system functionality and business processes that support efficiency and the required accounting and control needs. Manages change within Finance, IT, and operating departments.
• Supervises the preparation of accurate and timely month-end close processes. Performs detailed quality assurance review over the trial balance and provide value-added financial analysis for assigned products and processes. Supports the financial planning and forecasting function through the delivery of financial records and analysis. Manages the delivery of information for financial and regulatory audits and exams.
• Manages key relationships with external business partners as it relates to the financial close.
• Leads the development and continuous improvement of key business capabilities (e.g., financial analysis, transactional accounting and reconciliation in support of operational and regulatory reporting) that align with the goals and strategies of the Finance Department. Promotes and uses principles such as visibility and access to accounting information, simplification and flexibility of accounting programs and configuration, increased automation of accounting entries and processes, strengthening of internal controls, and prevention of accounting issues and variances. Continuously evaluates the maturity of capabilities and develops a vision for the future state. Collaborates with leaders in Finance and other departments to ensure activities are initiated and implemented as planned.
• Partners with leaders in Wealth to develop business processes that support the administration of investment products and the related accounting. Explains the complex interaction and flow of data between administration systems and impacts to the downstream financial accounting systems. Directs the correction of existing problems, and provides best practice solutions (processes, use of systems) to prevent future problems from occurring.
• Applies knowledge of GAAP practices as new accounting guidance is exposed or issued, and to address unique transactions and situations that arise throughout the business. Performs high-level technical accounting research. Ensures changes are implemented in accordance with the requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration with accounting emphasis.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or equivalent.
• 7-10 years of proven experience in positions with increasing accounting, auditing or financial management responsibilities.
• Experience with the application of statutory or GAAP accounting standards in the insurance or financial services industries.
• Highly analytical (critical thinking, data analysis and research skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven leadership in people and change management.
• Experience with the design and evaluation of internal controls for Model Audit Rule or Sarbanes-Oxley compliance preferred.
• Proven leadership in project management.
• Large public accounting/auditing firm experience preferred

BENEFITS:

Great pay package, 401K, Company sponsored retirement plan, Educational assistance, Performance based incentive pay, Medical, dental and vision insurance, Parental leave, Caregiver time off….and more!

This position has been classified as an Associated Person under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting and completion of required form.

Required Certifications:

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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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