Accounting Team Leader test

Accounting Team Leader Job Summary

 

The Accounting Team Leader prepares Statutory and GAAP based monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, as well as regulatory filings and ad hoc reports, to support business decisions.  Researches, develops, and maintains accounting policies and procedures for both insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries of Westfield Group.  Analyzes account balances and provides accounting information to business leaders, auditors and regulatory bodies.  Responsible for maintaining knowledge of Statutory and GAAP accounting practices and standards in order to effectively implement new standards in corporate accounting policies.  Acts as subject matter experts on the team and throughout the organization. This is an entry level leadership position that will lead one or more of the following accounting staff: Staff Accountant 1, Staff Accountant 2, or Senior Accountant.

 

Essential Functions (primary functions and/or reasons the job exists in order of importance)

1. Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual Statutory and GAAP financial statements, including footnotes and disclosures.  Prepares regulatory filings and develops ad hoc reports to support business decisions, utilizing and interpreting data from the financial reporting, general ledger, and accounting systems.

2. Researches, develops, and maintains corporate accounting policies and procedures on both a Statutory and GAAP basis of accounting. Reviews work prepared by direct report(s) for presentation to accounting and financial reporting leadership. 

3. Researches, interprets, compiles, and presents information to business leaders and employees that will ultimately be used to make business decisions.  Examples of this type of information may include whether a line of business is profitable or the effect a reinsurance contract would have on the company.

4. Analyzes general ledger account balances ensuring that proper coding has been followed and that ending balances are correct.  Provides accounting information to business units, corporate leaders, auditors, state examiners, and federal regulators.  Reviews work prepared by direct report(s) for accuracy and timeliness.

5. Performs human capital management responsibilities including employee selection, performance management, coaching, and development.  Manages priorities and workload distribution, and removes barriers that impede progress.  Completes all personnel, salary administration, and reporting duties.

6. Works with Internal/External Financial Reporting Leader in developing leadership skills.

7. Provides project management and research support for various accounting and financial projects, as well as various corporate projects (such as Business Intelligence).

8. Maintains current knowledge of GAAP accounting practices and standards and insurance industry (Statutory) accounting practices and standards to ensure compliance with most recent standards.  Researches emerging topics and recommends accounting treatment.  Writes position papers to support accounting positions.  Implements new standards into corporate accounting policies and practices. Reviews position papers prepared by direct report(s) for presentation to accounting and financial reporting leadership. 

9. Works with corporate planning and business leaders to ensure that correct structures (tree based) are in place for accurate reporting within the accounting system.

10. Based on specific assignment, ensures accurate assumed and ceded calculations by reviewing provisions within reinsurance contracts.  Handles all transactions, including cash flow, for reinsurance.

11. Based on specific assignment, completes bank holding company federal reserve filing requirements; coordinating the responses of numerous departments and individuals.

12. Based on specific assignment, maintains expense allocation system including periodic reviews of basis and functional distribution.

13. Based on specific assignment, provides accounting knowledge to other areas of the organization and gains additional cross-functional perspective.

14. Calculates monthly accrual and other month-end/daily entries based on statutory and/or GAAP guidance.

15. Provides assistance and mentoring expertise to less experienced team members through role as subject matter expert. 

16. Provides leadership for cross-functional projects.

17. Audits vouchers from General Accounting for accuracy of payment authorization and coding to ledger.

18. Travels occasionally in order to perform special assignments, training, and/or travel between office locations.

 

Desired Qualifications/Experience/Certification/Education (in order of importance)

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or Business, Finance, or related field with concentration in accounting.

2. 5 or more years of demonstrated accounting or insurance experience. 

3. Demonstrated emerging leadership skills and attributes (e.g. project leader). 

4. Proven ability to coach and mentor others in both formal and informal settings.

5. Demonstrated financial/analytical acumen.

6. Demonstrated insurance accounting acumen.

7. Demonstrated problem solving and detail orientation skills.

8. Proven ability to work independently and assist others on a team. 

9. Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills including persuasive skills resulting in the ability to interact with all levels of management and employee population.

10. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software including experience and an advanced skill set with Microsoft Excel spreadsheet development and management.

11. Valid driver’s license and a driving record that conforms to company standards.

 

Physical Requirements (specific to the role) 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Ability to work effectively in an office environment for 40+ hours per week (including sitting, standing, and working on a computer for extended periods of time).

• Ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative work environment utilizing various technologies such as:  telephone, computer, web, voice, teleconferencing, e-mail, etc.

• Ability to travel as required.

 

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer/minority/female/disability/protected veteran.