FEP Accountant

bcbsa; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

11 holidays

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Lifestyle spending account

Job summary

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in the United States seeks an experienced accountant to ensure the accuracy of financial records, manage month-end closes, handle journal entries and payment processing, and prepare reports in line with GAAP.

This role conducts reconciliations, analyzes variances, supports audits, and collaborates with other departments to improve accounting processes and provide ad hoc analyses for decision-making.

Qualifications

• BS in accounting or related field required
• MS in accounting or related field preferred
• 4+ years accounting experience including month-end close

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist in month-end close, prepare journal entries, reconcile accounts, analyze variances
• Prepare financial statements and reports per GAAP and regulatory requirements
• Perform regular reconciliations of balance sheet accounts for data accuracy
• Analyze variances between actuals and budget/forecast and explain discrepancies
• Assist in audits by providing documentation and support to auditors
• Implement and maintain internal control procedures to safeguard assets
• Identify opportunities for accounting process improvements and system enhancements
• Collaborate with departments (AP/AR/Finance) for accurate financial information exchange
• Perform ad hoc financial analyses and projects for management decisions

Skills

GAAP knowledge

General ledger

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Internal controls

Organizational skills

Communication skills

US GAAP understanding

AI literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Master's degree in accounting or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

Workday

Job description

Position Overview

This role is primarily responsible for ensuring the accuracy of financial records, managing month-end processes, handling transactional tasks such as journal entries and payment processing, and preparing reports in compliance with accounting standards. This role involves conducting reconciliations, analyzing variances, implementing process improvements, and collaborating with other departments. Additionally, this role will support audits and perform ad hoc financial analysis to aid decision-making and business initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist in the month-end close process, including preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and analyzing variances.
• Prepare financial statements and reports in accordance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
• Perform regular reconciliations of balance sheet accounts to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data.
• Analyze variances between actual and budgeted/forecasted figures, investigating discrepancies and providing explanations as needed.
• Assist in external and internal audits by providing necessary documentation, explanations, and support to auditors.
• Implement and maintain internal control procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements in accounting procedures and systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and finance, to ensure accurate and timely financial information exchange.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis and projects as requested by management to support decision-making and business initiatives.

Compensation

The posting range for this position is: 65,400.00 - 94,800.00

The posted salary range is the lowest to highest salary we , in good faith , believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting . We may ultimately pay more or less than the hiring range and t his hiring range may also be modified in the future. A candidate's position within the hiring range may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for annual bonus incentive pay.

Education

• Required BS ; or equivalent experience
• Preferred MS ; or equivalent experience

Experience

• Required 4+ Years accounting experience, including all aspects of the monthly close process, transaction processing, cash management, and financial record-keeping

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Solid understanding of accounting principles, including GAAP.
• Ability to manage general ledger accounts, ensuring accurate recording of financial transactions.
• Effective analytical skills to interpret financial data, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
• High attention to detail.
• Understanding of internal controls to safeguard financial assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities/projects under tight timeframes with a sense of urgency.
• Effective communication skills to clearly convey complex accounting issues to management, auditors, and other staff.
• Ability to understand complex accounting transactions and apply US GAAP and non-GAAP standards.
• Demonstrates AI literacy and an understanding of generative AI tools, including appropriate business applications and limitations.

Certifications & Licenses

• Required: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Various

Additional Experience

• Experience with accounting software (PeopleSoft and Workday preferred).
• Minimum four years of accounting experience, including all aspects of the monthly close process, transaction processing, cash management, and financial record-keeping.
• #LI-Hybrid

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, 11 holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, generous 401(k) matching , lifestyle spending account and m any other benefits to eligible employees.

Legal Notice

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.