Controller

Cajpa; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Cajpa is seeking a senior Controller to lead comprehensive accounting for VIP and Workers’ Comp Group programs. This hands-on role partners with the CFO and program leadership to ensure financial integrity and regulatory compliance within a self-insured, pooled environment.

The ideal candidate has deep insurance accounting expertise, a CPA is preferred, and experience with self-insured groups or nonprofits is highly regarded.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or closely related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience with at least three (3) years in an insurance carrier, SIG/insurance pool, MGA, or large commercial insurance environment.
• Working knowledge of insurance accounting principles, including premium accounting, loss reserving, and reinsurance transactions.
• Experience with financial statement preparation and external audit coordination.
• Proficiency in accounting software (Blackbaud/Financial Edge NXT or comparable platform) and Microsoft Excel, Word etc.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present monthly and annual financial statements for VIP and WCG programs.
• Manage the general ledger, chart of accounts, and month-end/year-end close processes.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and other daily accounting functions.
• Maintain accurate records for loss reserves, ALAE, ULAE and IBNR estimates in coordination with the actuary.
• Manage, guide and supervise accounting/finance team members.
• Coordinate the annual budget development process in partnership with the CFO.
• Assist CFO in preparing financial projections, cash flow analyses, and variance reports.
• Provide CFO and CEO financial analyses to support underwriting, pricing, and strategic decisions.
• Administer accounting software and financial systems; evaluate and implement improvements.
• Supervise and collaborate with accounting support staff as the organization grows.
• Maintain investment account records and reconcile custodial statements.
• Learn existing rating and CRM software applications for both programs.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit accounting

Independent work

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Blackbaud/Financial Edge NXT

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

The Controller serves as the senior financial accounting professional, responsible for the full scope of accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls across both the Vehicle Insurance Pool (VIP)and Workers’ Comp Group programs. This is a hands-on, high-impact role within a small, collaborative management team. The Controller reports to and partners directly with the CFO and program leadership to ensure financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and sound management of the self-insured and pooled insurance operations.
This position requires deep understanding of insurance accounting, including loss rates and reserve reporting, reinsurance/excess premium accounting, and the unique financial architecture of a self-insured group experience that distinguishes this role from general nonprofit accounting.

Job Requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting & General Accounting

• Prepare and present monthly and annual financial statements for VIP and WCG programs
• Manage the general ledger, chart of accounts, and month-end/year-end close processes
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and other daily accounting functions
• Maintain accurate records for loss reserves, allocated loss adjustment expenses (ALAE), unallocated loss adjustment request (ULAE) and IBNR estimates in coordination with the actuary
• Manage, guide and supervise accounting/finance team members

Insurance-Specific Accounting

• Manage premium billing, collections, and member account reconciliation across both programs
• Account for excess/reinsurance premiums, recoveries, and related receivables
• Coordinate with third-party claims administrators (TPAs) on loss payment accounting and reserve reconciliation

Compliance, Audit & Internal Controls

• Prepare work papers and coordinate the annual financial statement audit with external auditors
• Assist CFO with maintaining solid internal controls, financial policies, and accounting procedures
• Review and comply with regulatory filings, tax returns (Form 990), and other required submissions

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Coordinate the annual budget development process in partnership with the CFO
• Assist CFO in preparing financial projections, cash flow analyses, and variance reports
• Provide CFO and CEO financial analyses to support underwriting, pricing, and strategic decisions

Systems & Administration

• Administer accounting software and financial systems; evaluate and implement improvements
• Supervise and collaborate with accounting support staff as the organization grows
• Maintain investment account records and reconcile custodial statements
• Learn existing rating and CRM software applications for both programs

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or closely related field
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, with at least three (3) years in an insurance carrier, SIG/insurance pool, MGA, or large commercial insurance agency environment
• Working knowledge of insurance accounting principles, including premium accounting, loss reserving, and reinsurance transactions
• Experience with financial statement preparation and external audit coordination
• Proficiency in accounting software (Blackbaud/Financial Edge NXT or comparable platform) and Microsoft Excel, Word etc.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines

Highly Preferred

• CPA license or CPA candidate with significant progress toward licensure
• Experience in a Self-Insured Group (SIG)
• Familiarity with California DIR self-insurance compliance requirements for workers’ compensation
• Experience supporting actuarial processes, loss reserve analysis, or TPA financial reconciliation
• Prior experience in a nonprofit or member-owned organization

Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• insurance: 3 years (Required)
• understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards: 5 years (Required)
• progressively responsible accounting : 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person