Finance Leadership Rotational Program Associate

National Life Group; Montpelier (VT); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

National Life Group in Montpelier, VT, invites you to join its Finance Leadership Rotations program starting Summer 2026. The program comprises three approximately one-year rotations through our finance and accounting functions, designed to build financial acumen, business knowledge, and exposure to National Life Group's operations.

Participants receive on-the-job learning and mentorship, with opportunities to pursue CPA, CIA, CMA or similar designations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative problem solving and strong analytical reasoning skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated and self-directed.
• Able to work independently within established timeframes.
• Ability to think strategically and respond tactically in a dynamic environment.
• Well organized and able to handle multiple priorities.
• Comfortable with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Learn about financial statements and GAAP/Statutory reporting in rotations.
• Engage in corporate accounting tasks including expenses and allocations.
• Gain understanding of audit processes and internal controls.
• Support treasury activities including cash forecasting and liquidity.
• Assist with reinsurance administration and reporting.
• Participate in Field Services Finance activities and distribution analytics.
• Develop understanding of FP&A and performance measurement.
• Exposure to corporate tax functions and process improvements.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Interpersonal Skills

Motivation

Self-direction

Independence

Strategic Thinking

Organization

Ambiguity Comfort

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Accounting/Finance preferred

Job description

Come join one of America’s fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.

Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.

We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values: Do good. Be good. Make good.

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Role Summary

We are looking for talented, driven, and passionate people who aspire to lead others and are excited to join an early career program that offers robust hands‑on development for our Finance Leadership Rotations beginning in the Summer of 2026.

The finance leadership rotation program consists of three approximately one-year rotations through our organizations finance and accounting functions and is designed to provide you with the capabilities, exposure, and development needed to accelerate your career.

Each rotation in different business units will help grow your financial acumen and business knowledge to build an overall understanding of National Life Group, knowledge of the life insurance industry, and position you for future growth opportunities.

As a participant in the program, your development will be supported through on-the-job learning and continuous mentorship with the goal to assist your personal and professional development. Candidates pursuing a CPA, CIA, CMA or a similar designation will be offered rotations with the qualifying experience and supervision necessary to meet the guidelines of the credential. By growing your finance and accounting career at NLG, you will have unparalleled exposure and learning opportunities and the chance to make a lasting impact across the organization.

• This position currently offers an onsite hybrid work schedule, with the expectation that you are in the office four (4) days per week during onsite core days. Our current onsite core days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The work schedule type and core days are subject to change with advance notification and manager discretion.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting– Learn about the financial statements prepared on a GAAP and Statutory basis, be part of the financial close, and work closely with internal stakeholders as well as external auditors to communicate results.
• Corporate Accounting– Work closely with the team on recording direct expenses, including accounts payable, expense accruals, allocations, and cash account reconciliations. Gain exposure to finance IT systems.
• Internal Audit -Gain a foundational understanding of the Audit process, including risk assessment, internal control identification and testing techniques. Our team works across all levels and functions in the organization to ensure the integrity of the financial statements and company processes.
• Treasury -Learn all about how cash goes in/out of the organization and assist on banking solutions and services to enhance the customer experience. Our team forecasts investable cash to optimize daily cash management, liquidity, and debt obligations. This helps support National Life's Investment team on maximizing market opportunities.
• Reinsurance- Assist with the administration of reinsured policies for all lines of business in accordance with the reinsurance agreements between National Life Group and reinsurance companies. Our team interacts regularly with reinsurers, underwriters, and claims examiners to ensure efficient and accurate financial reporting.
• Field Services Finance –The team supports distribution by planning, forecasting, and reporting on sales results, creating and administering field incentives, budgeting and managing distribution expenses, and providing insight to distribution leadership on holistic agency performance
• Financial, Planning and Analysis -Gain a broad understanding of how National Life measures and evaluates its financial performance, projects future results, and sets short and long-term targets while working with stakeholders across the enterprise.
• Tax-This position will touch all aspects of the corporate tax function including tax compliance, tax accounting, and process improvements driven by data analysis. The position offers a great opportunity to gain broad tax, finance, and industry experience at a growing organization.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Creative problem solving and strong analytical reasoning skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated and self-directed
• Able to work independently within established timeframes
• Ability to think strategically and respond tactically in a dynamic environment
• Well organized and able to handle multiple priorities at one time
• Comfortable with ambiguity

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Math, Economics, or Business is preferred

AI Proficiency Expectations

At National Life Group, we view AI as an enabler of human potential. We use AI to help us work smarter, serve more clients, and keep our promises, while remaining a relationship-driven business where our people are our greatest strength.

All Applicants Are Expected To

• Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.
• Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.
• Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.
• Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life's AI guiding principles.
• Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.

Core Competencies

Service Focus - Demonstrates a client centric focus for satisfying one’s external and/or internal customers; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Decision Making - Makes sense of complex information, critically evaluates, and creates solutions.

Results Oriented - Sets performance and personal goals; Driven to meet or exceed goals and objectives.

Plans and Aligns - Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals; Aligns people and skills to tasks and assignments; Evaluates results of work.

Demonstrates Learning Agility - Enhances skills and knowledge through continuous learning; Focuses on personal results by establishing stretch goals; Seeks feedback and changes accordingly.

Establishes Relationships - Builds partnerships with others to instill trust, collaborate, and meet shared objectives.

Communicates Effectively - Actively listens, conveys messages to meet different audience needs, and remains open to new ideas and opinions.

Fosters Diversity - Values diversity and difference in thought, experience, and perspective; Promotes an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion; Supports equal and fair treatment for all.

Benefits

• Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family’s specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Base Pay Range

The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job‑related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors. The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

The total compensation package for this position may also include a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life’s discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an \"at‑will position\" and National Life reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.

Salary Pay Range

$59,625 - $87,450 USD

National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.

Fortune 1000 status is based on the consolidated financial results of all National Life Group companies.

Social Media Policy

Site Disclosure and Privacy Policy

National Life Group

1 National Life Dr

Montpelier, VT 05604