Controller

Job Description:
A property and casualty insurance company is seeking a Controller. The controller is a highly visible leadership role at the center of the organization’s financial operations, owning the accuracy, integrity and insight behind the company’s financial results. The controller will partner closely with the CFO to support profitability, return on investment, and both short- and long-term planning, while leading the day-to-day accounting, reporting, budgeting and financial systems that keep the organization running smoothly. In this role, the controller will work directly with the in-house actuary to book reserves, oversee statutory and GAAP reporting, manage cash, reinsurance, investments and payroll, and lead the annual audit process. This leader will regularly engage with the audit committee and Board of Directors, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insights. The controller will have the opportunity to modernize and strengthen the finance function by leveraging technology and improving how financial information is extracted, shared and used across the organization and its governance committees. This is a retained search.

• Financial Reporting and Controls - Own the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of all financial reporting, including monthly financial statements, quarterly STAT filings, annual GAAP financial statements and regulatory submissions. Maintain strong internal controls, ensure compliance with insurance department requirements and serve as the primary owner of the company’s financial reporting processes.

• Accounting Operations and Close Management - Oversee the general ledger, monthly and quarterly close, and day-to-day accounting functions, including AP, AR, payroll, cash management, reinsurance accounting, federal, state and local taxes, and investment accounting.

• Planning, Budgeting and Financial Analysis - Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing expense management, working closely with department leaders to prepare budgets, monitor performance and perform variance analyses. Support the CFO with financial insights that inform profitability, ROI, and short- and long-term planning.

• Audit, Board and Stakeholder Support - Prepare and present financial results for the audit committee and Board of Directors, support preparation efforts for board and committee meetings, and lead all external audits, including the annual financial audit and periodic insurance department examinations.

• Finance Leadership, Technology and Process Improvement - Lead, develop and assess the finance team while driving continuous improvement through better use of financial systems, data and technology. Identify smarter, more efficient ways to run the finance function and improve how financial information is extracted, shared and used across the organization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA and/or MBA (strongly preferred)

• 7+ years of public and/or corporate accounting experience

• Demonstrated depth of expertise in statutory accounting, GAAP (preferred)

• Insurance industry experience; property and casualty insurance experience (preferred)

• Experience conducting internal control testing, including evaluating the design and effectiveness of controls over financial reporting, operations and regulatory compliance

• Experience operating in a regulated insurance environment with familiarity across regulatory and audit requirements

• Reinsurance accounting experience (highly preferred)

• Treasury experience (preferred), including managing bank relationships and treasury or custodial services