Assistant Vice President, P&C Assistant Controller

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Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Vice President and P&C Assistant Controller serves as a pivotal enterprise-wide leader and directs a core component of the finance organization for Kemper’s property and casualty business. This officer-level post is designed for a trusted business leader who is insight-driven and quality-focused. Financial strength is a primary objective for the company, and the P&C Assistant Controller will have direct impact, having responsibility and guardianship for full-scope accounting and enterprise-wide financial reporting. This role goes beyond a traditional controllership and will provide expertise in financial planning and analysis and tax. The successful executive will embody a style that is results-driven, collaborative and integrity-based and will excel in a culture where respect, service, accountability, and high standards are practiced and admired. Intellectual agility and managerial courage are key.

The Assistant Vice President, P&C Assistant Controller works collaboratively with leaders at both the business segment and corporate teams, with a high level of visibility to senior management with an excellent opportunity for future development and promotion. The position reports directly to Kemper’s VP, P&C Controller and closely collaborates with the SVP, P&C Business Segment CFO. This role provides oversight of the accounting and reporting of Kemper’s P&C Business Segment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and direction for the controller function and serve as a trusted partner to the P&C Controller and an advisor to the executive team.  
• Delivering on key Strategic Initiatives
• Participate in system implementations and enhancements
• Lead implementation of new accounting guidance and/or accounting treatment of new transactions
• Drive key initiatives around automation and other activities to improve productivity of the team
• Active participation in any merger/acquisition activities
• Contribute to organizational strategy and formulate and implement cost-effective strategies and operations  
• Embrace and embody core values of leadership, including
• Foster the highest level of commitment among people through transparent communication about business challenges, successes and results.
• Create an environment that encourages people to think, behave, take action, control work and make decisions autonomously to attain clear goals.
• Take personal responsibility for making tough decisions, meeting commitments and ensuring expected results are achieved.
• Drive performance expectations and management across the P&C accounting team
• Drive the culture of the team with a focus on outcomes and learning
• Coach and develop team members
• Responsibility for Financial Reporting related to the P&C business
• Delivering disclosures and exhibits supporting Kemper’s SEC Reporting
• Delivering US statutory reporting for the Annual and Quarterly Statements
• Participating in monthly internal management reporting process, with key insights into actual results
• Maintain working relations with various external entities, including state departments of insurance and external auditors and deliver on information requests and inquiries.
• Ensure that functions within the P&C Controller’s responsibility relating to the design, testing and operating controls for information systems are performed properly:
• Participate in annual risk assessment
• Implement and sustain strong internal controls
• Perform periodic and detail reviews of operating unit balance sheets
• Provide company-wide SOX guidance and best practices
• Coordinate annual audit of internal controls with management and internal and external auditors
• Perform root cause analysis and remediation of issues as they arise.
• Help facilitate the preparation and communication of corporate forecasts and budgets.
• Analyze financial results and projections to make recommendations for improvement.
• Presenting results of the monthly / quarterly close to the Corporate team
• Maintain overall fiscal responsibility for assigned divisions, including approving operating budgets and monitoring expenditures for overall cost containment.
• Follow corporate policy and procedures related to the access, use, distribution, protection and destruction of client and company confidential data.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 10 years of financial leadership experience within financial services with emphasis in insurance industry, primarily P&C business, including business judgment, to make decisions in the best interest of the company and its customers; success in building, empowering and engaging work units that leverage the talents of diverse individuals for short- and long-term workforce planning needs
• In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, investments, tax and financial planning techniques; expertise with a broad range of reporting, including both SEC and NAIC reporting requirements
• Demonstrated business and financial acumen necessary to develop and present data-based ideas and solutions and the ability to develop sustainable business practices that support companywide strategic objectives
• BA or BS degree in accounting or Master’s degree with a concentration in accounting
• CPA required
• Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity
• This is a hybrid role out of our Chicago, IL office

The range for this position is $190,000 to $210,000. When determining candidate offers, we consider experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location among other factors.  This job is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and Kemper benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k, etc.)  

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination.  

Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Kemper will never request personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, via text or email.  Additionally, Kemper does not use external messaging applications like WireApp or Skype to communicate with candidates.  If you receive such a message, delete it.