Accounting Policy Lead

The Jackson National Life Insurance Company; Town of Lansing (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson National Life Insurance Company is seeking an Accounting Policy Lead in the United States. This role provides accounting and financial reporting guidance, monitors standard setting, and supports policy implementation across the organization to ensure compliant reporting.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in auditing or financial reporting, strong US GAAP knowledge, and CPA preference, with experience in insurance or financial services and Big 4 exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required.
• Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of auditing / financial reporting experience required.
• Big 4 public accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with SEC registered companies preferred.
• Insurance or financial services experience preferred.
• Experience accounting for investment assets preferred.
• CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, researches, and evaluates new or changing guidance including FASB/NAIC.
• Assists management in implementing changes to policies and procedures.
• Maintains the Company's accounting policy database.
• Analyzes and documents policies for significant or unusual transactions.
• Prepares position papers on technical accounting issues.
• Prepares notes to financial statements disclosing accounting policies.
• Edits and reviews financial statements for proper policy application.
• Educates management across functions on policy selection and application.
• Implements controls over maintenance and reporting of accounting policies.
• Supports interaction with internal and external audit teams.
• Represents the Company in relevant industry groups.

Skills

Insurance accounting

US GAAP

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team player

Independent work

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Master's degree in Accounting/related field

CPA

Job description

Job Purpose

The Accounting Policy Lead provides accounting and financial reporting guidance to management and other functional areas with regard to interpreting accounting and regulatory policy by monitoring accounting standard setting acitivites, researching accounting and regulatory policy changes, evaluating and communicating the impact of these changes on company reporting requirements, and supporting the implementation of accounting changes.

Essential Responsibilities

• Monitors, researches, and evaluates the impact of new or changing accounting and financial reporting guidance, including monitoring FASB and NAIC standard setting activities.
• Assists management in implementing necessary changes to policies, processes, and procedures to comply with new or changing accounting and financial reporting guidance.
• Maintains the Company’s accounting policy database.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and documents the Company’s accounting policies to be applied to new, significant, or unusual transactions.
• Prepares position papers documenting the Company’s position on technical accounting issues.
• Evaluates accounting and reporting errors, changes in accounting policy, or changes in accounting estimates.
• Prepares relevant notes to the financial statements disclosing the Company’s accounting policies.
• Assists in drafting and reviewing the Company’s financial statements and notes to those financial statements to ensure appropriate application and disclosure of accounting policies.
• Works across functions to educate management on the Company’s selection and application of current, new, and changing accounting policies.
• Implements and operates controls over the maintenance, appropriateness, and accurate reporting of the Company’s accounting policies.
• Supports the Company’s interaction with internal and external audit teams with matters regarding accounting policies.
• Interacts with all functions and departments, serving as a subject matter expert on accounting policy and financial reporting.
• Represents the Company through participation in relevant industry groups.
• Supports the strategic goals of the department and Company.
• Other Duties Performs other duties and/or projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of insurance statutory accounting and US GAAP.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate with associates at all levels within and outside of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Strong team player with strong professional and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and establish priorities to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to meet job requirements with a positive and productive attitude.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field required.
• Master's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of auditing / financial reporting experience required.
• “Big 4” public accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with SEC registered companies preferred.
• Insurance or financial services experience preferred.
• Experience accounting for investment assets preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Jackson is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

The Company subscribes to and endorses federal and state laws and regulations relating to equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, legally-recognized disability, marital status, legally-protected medical condition, citizenship, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other factor not related to the needs of the job.

The Company is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

Company facilities and campuses are tobacco-free environments.

At Jackson, our employees are empowered to bring a fresh perspective, confront new challenges, and define their own career paths.

We value the unique perspectives and innovative ideas that come from our employees' diverse backgrounds.

Jackson is the marketing name for Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Home Office: Lansing, Michigan) and Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (Home Office: Purchase, New York).

Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (JNAM) located in Chicago, Illinois, is an SEC-registered investment adviser and Jackson subsidiary.

Annuities are distributed by Jackson National Life Distributors LLC, Member FINRA.

Jackson companies offer an outstanding benefits package including competitive pay, bonuses, comprehensive health insurance benefits, a matching 401(k) retirement plan, adoption assistance, education matching gift program and dependent tuition program.

Contact [e-mail] for alternate formats for accommodation.