Lead Accountant

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company; Warrenville (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with 6% matching

Professional development

Hybrid work schedule

Paid vacation and sick days

Eight paid holidays

Referral bonuses

Job summary

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, in partnership with American Guardian Warranty Services, Inc., is seeking a Lead Accountant in Warrenville, IL to support the insurance and underwriting accounting functions and oversee day-to-day close processes. This role reports to Finance and collaborates with Underwriting, Claims, Operations, and other partners to ensure accurate financial reporting under U.S.

GAAP. Candidates should have a bachelor's in accounting, CPA preferred, 3–5 years of experience,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA designation preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Background in insurance and/or insurance services accounting.
• Familiarity with premium, commissions, claims, reserves, underwriting accounting.
• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. GAAP and ASC 606.
• Exposure to insurance accounting under ASC 944 is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, and lookup functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proven success working independently and partnering with cross-functional teams.
• Effective prioritization and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes, including preparation and review of journal entries and supporting schedules within the team.
• Perform account reconciliations and investigate variances, unusual activity, and discrepancies.
• Support insurance and underwriting accounting activities, including premium, fee-based (e.g. commission), claims, deferred revenue, reserves, and related balances.
• Reconcile underwriting and operational system activity to the general ledger and investigate differences.
• Prepare and analyze financial records and reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with GAAP
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation and assist with external and internal audit requests
• Support the preparation of regulatory and statutory reporting, as applicable
• Maintain and improve accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficient

Cross-functional collaboration

Time management

Communication skills

Insurance accounting

GAAP ASC 606 knowledge

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA designation preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Description American Guardian Warranty Services, Inc. (AGWS), an affiliate of Reynolds and Reynolds, is looking for a Lead Accountant to join our growing team. As a Lead Accountant, you will be responsible for supporting the insurance and underwriting accounting function and the day-to-day accounting operations while ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and company policies.

The Lead Accountant will play an important role in the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, financial reporting, account reconciliations, insurance and underwriting accounting, and technical accounting activities. This position will work closely with Finance, Underwriting, Claims, Operations, and other business partners to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information.

Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Assist with the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes, including preparation and review of journal entries and supporting schedules within the team.
• Perform account reconciliations and investigate and resolve variances, unusual activity, and discrepancies.
• Support insurance and underwriting accounting activities, including premium, fee-based (e.g. commission), claims, deferred revenue, reserves, and related balances.
• Reconcile underwriting and operational system activity to the general ledger and investigate differences.
• Prepare and analyze financial records and reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with GAAP
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation and assist with external and internal audit requests
• Support the preparation of regulatory and statutory reporting, as applicable
• Maintain and improve accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field
• CPA designation preferred
• 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience
• Background in insurance and/or insurance services accounting required
• Familiarity with premium, commission, claims, reserves, underwriting, and other insurance-related accounting activities preferred
• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. GAAP and ASC 606
• exposure to insurance accounting under ASC 944 is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, and lookup functions
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Proven success working independently and partnering with cross-functional teams
• Effective prioritization and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

Benefits We strive to offer an environment that provides our associates with the right balance between work and family. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a health savings account
• 401(k) with up to 6% matching
• Professional development and training
• Promotion from within
• Reynolds offers a hybrid work schedule, based on position eligibility. Following completion of your training period, eligible associates may work-from-home up to two days per week.
• Paid vacation and sick days
• Eight paid holidays
• Referral bonuses

Reynolds and Reynolds promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing a non-smoking environment. Reynolds and Reynolds is an equal opportunity employer.