Assistant Financial Controller

Willis Re; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) savings plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Willis Re is seeking an Assistant Financial Controller in Minneapolis (hybrid) to partner with the Finance leadership in overseeing accounting, financial reporting, tax, audits, and controls. The role drives process improvements and oversees core activities across GL, AP, fixed assets, and treasury, while mentoring accounting staff.

The candidate should have a Bachelor's in accounting/finance, 5–10 years of relevant experience, CPA preferred, and strong Excel/ERP skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline.
• Preferred 5-10 years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and accounting controls.
• Experience managing month-end close, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating audits and supporting tax compliance activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems.
• Proven project management and process improvement experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all month, quarter, and year-end closing cycles to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial statements in strict compliance with U.S. GAAP and corporate policies.
• Coordinate the preparation, review, and filing of federal, state, and international tax returns while managing tax provision calculations and deferred tax accounting alongside external advisors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors while actively developing, implementing and monitoring robust internal controls to safeguard company assets.
• Provide strategic oversight for day-to-day financial activities, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, and Treasury.
• Drive high-impact business transformation and finance projects while directly coaching, mentoring and developing accounting staff to foster a collaborative culture.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Excel proficiency

Financial systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA designation

Tools

Workday

Power BI

Qlik

Infor Q&A

Job description

Minneapolis, US (hybrid)

The Assistant Financial Controller supports the Financial Controller in leading the organization's accounting, financial reporting, tax, audit, compliance, and finance operations functions. This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information, maintaining a strong internal control environment, supporting strategic business initiatives, and driving continuous process improvement. Serving as a key member of the Finance leadership team, the Assistant Financial Controller will oversee core accounting activities, support regulatory and statutory compliance, coordinate audit and tax matters, and lead finance transformation projects. This position acts as a trusted business partner across Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, and other functional areas to improve processes, strengthen controls, and enhance organizational performance.

Financial Reporting

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Lead all month, quarter, and year-end closing cycles to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial statements in strict compliance with U.S. GAAP and corporate policies.

Tax Management

• Coordinate the preparation, review, and filing of federal, state, and international tax returns while managing tax provision calculations and deferred tax accounting alongside external advisors.

Audits & Controls

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors while actively developing, implementing and monitoring robust internal controls to safeguard company assets.

Operations Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight for day-to-day financial activities, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, and Treasury.

Team & Project Leadership

• Drive high-impact business transformation and finance projects while directly coaching, mentoring and developing accounting staff to foster a collaborative culture.

Essential

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline.
• Preferred 5-10 years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and accounting controls.
• Experience managing month-end close, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating audits and supporting tax compliance activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems.
• Proven project management and process improvement experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Experience within insurance, reinsurance, financial services, or a highly regulated industry.
• Financial and Operations Principal (FinOp), FINRA Series 27 and/or Entry-level financial and operations principal (FinOp), FINRA Series 28 Operations Professional FINRA Series 99
• Experience with ERP implementations, finance transformation, and system integration projects.
• Knowledge of SOX compliance, internal controls, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Experience with financial reporting and analytics tools such as Workday, Power BI, Qlik, Infor Q&A or similar platforms.

Salary Range: $125,000 - $165,000

The actual salary for this position will be determined by several factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials, and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

We offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, paid time off, 401K savings and other retirement programs, as well as employee assistance programs.

About Willis Re

We combine specialist broking with analytics, modeling and research to help insurers optimize risk transfer, strengthen balance sheets and achieve sustainable growth. Our approach is relationship-driven, transparent and outcome-focused. At the heart of Willis Re is a focus on delivering the most cutting-edge analytical solutions to enable more informed, better decision-making for risk selection, portfolio optimization, and capital management. The launch of Willis Re brings a strategic advantage of being unhindered by legacy, an ability to leverage data, statistical models and advanced technologies with the best knowledge and expertise to deliver more efficient and effective reinsurance outcomes. This places Willis Re in a unique position to build a truly analytically driven business, focused on creating solutions for the reinsurance industry that are future led and forward thinking. Willis Re will also leverage recognized technical expertise from WTW's Insurance Consulting & Technology business including their advanced modeling and analytical capabilities. Alongside this will be WTW's Research Network, an award-winning business supporting and influencing science to improve the understanding and quantification of risk. Willis Re is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive, and flexible work environment. We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, age, gender, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, orientation, or any other legally protected categories. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please email us at [e-mail]