Accounting Consulting Director - Financial Control

CNA Financial; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA Financial seeks an Accounting Consulting Director to join the Financial Control team, serving as a strategic advisor on financial reporting risk and internal control matters. You will partner with senior leadership, control owners, and external auditors to promote a strong control environment.

This role emphasizes leadership, technical guidance, and continuous improvement across complex financial reporting processes.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience with SOX requirements, internal control frameworks, financial reporting risk, and audit methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, Statutory accounting, and complex accounting and financial reporting concepts; insurance industry experience preferred.
• Proven ability to influence, advise, and constructively challenge senior business leaders and other stakeholders.
• Executive-level written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex risk and control matters.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple functions and effectively manage competing priorities.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software systems; experience in Optro preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop talent, provide technical leadership, and foster a strong culture of learning and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and business partners on financial reporting risk, internal control requirements, control design, and risk mitigation.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the assessment of complex control gaps, deficiencies, and emerging risks, including root cause, potential financial reporting impact, severity, and appropriate remediation.
• Lead the development and implementation of practical, sustainable controls that keep pace with business changes, system implementations, and evolving risk.
• Lead coordination with CNA's external auditors.
• Drive continuous improvement of the Financial Control process, including opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, and enhance controls and related processes.
• Monitor changes in the business, regulatory environment, accounting requirements, and technology landscape to identify emerging financial reporting risks and determine appropriate control responses.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to Financial Control team members and promote a culture of accountability, professional judgment, collaboration, and continuous development.

Skills

SOX requirements

internal control frameworks

financial reporting risk

audit methodologies

GAAP

Statutory accounting

insurance industry experience

leadership and influence

communication skills

professional judgment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Optro

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.

CNA is seeking an Accounting Consulting Director to join the Financial Control team. The Financial Control team within the Corporate Finance Department is comprised of risk management experts who collaborate with business leaders to establish and manage internal controls over financial reporting while educating the company on financial risk. The team consults, advises, and provides governance over the Company's financial control environment.

This individual contributor role will serve as a financial control leader and strategic advisor across the organization, providing direction and oversight over complex financial reporting risks, internal control matters, and significant business initiatives. This role will partner with senior leadership, process and control owners, and internal and external audit stakeholders to promote a strong and sustainable internal control environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and business partners on financial reporting risk, internal control requirements, control design, and risk mitigation.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the assessment of complex control gaps, deficiencies, and emerging risks, including root cause, potential financial reporting impact, severity, and appropriate remediation.
• Lead the development and implementation of practical, sustainable controls that keep pace with business changes, system implementations, and evolving risk.
• Lead coordination with CNA's external auditors.
• Drive continuous improvement of the Financial Control process, including opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, and enhance controls and related processes.
• Monitor changes in the business, regulatory environment, accounting requirements, and technology landscape to identify emerging financial reporting risks and determine appropriate control responses.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to Financial Control team members and promote a culture of accountability, professional judgment, collaboration, and continuous development.

Reporting Relationship

Director or above

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge and experience with SOX requirements, internal control frameworks, financial reporting risk, and audit methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex financial reporting and control issues and exercise sound professional judgment regarding risk, impact, and appropriate resolution.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, Statutory accounting, and complex accounting and financial reporting concepts; insurance industry experience preferred.
• Proven ability to influence, advise, and constructively challenge senior business leaders and other stakeholders.
• Executive-level written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex risk and control matters.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple functions and effectively manage competing priorities.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software systems; experience in Optro preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop talent, provide technical leadership, and foster a strong culture of learning and accountability.

In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $97,000 to $189,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.

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