What you can expect as theSenior Accountant - Investment Accounting

Responsible for the preparation and review of the annual, quarterly, and monthly internal and external investment accounting and reporting close cycles. Responsible for the maintenance and improvement of investment accounting data, analysis and systems. Responsible for indirect supervision and guidance of Investment Analysis team and serve as mentor. Serve as subject matter expert (SME) and handle complex work assignments. Work in a positive, professional and collaborative fashion with employees at all levels across the organization.

• Serve as SME and 'go to' individual for the department by handling complex work items and questions presented to the team, including the ability to research and understand new accounting and financial reporting requirements including in-depth knowledge of how to apply the existing statutory (NAIC) guidelines and most aspects of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) insurance investment accounting to our investment processes and systems.
• Prepare and review annual and quarterly statutory filings (for compliance, data quality, and overall trend analysis) for all investments, including but not limited to long-term bonds, derivatives, equity securities, limited partnerships (and other equity method investments), commercial mortgage loans and short-term investments. First point of contact for questions from Financial Reporting and auditors.
• Prepare and review compliance/regulatory reporting and distribute data tables and disclosures to appropriate stakeholders. Examples include rating agencies surveys (S&P, AM Best, Fitch), year-end GAAP audit report financials and footnotes, and State of Iowa exams.
• Execute and lead key controls for the purposes of both the Model Audit Rule (MAR) and the external audit of our year-end GAAP financials (and other all product filings with the SEC). Design and identify all appropriate checks and balances within those key controls, along with ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
• Act as a first point of contact as an investment accounting consultant for users of our data, including answering day-to-day questions with security master files, investment trends, and system functions, etc. Will act as a back-up for system administrator functions
• Serve as SME and primary point of contact for compliance with State of Iowa Investment Code 511.8, provide sign-off to the CFO each month that our allowable investments are in excess of our defined legal reserve.
• Assist with analysis of data in and out of the investment accounting system for a variety of processes, including but not limited to: valuation/pricing, prepayment speeds for mortgage-backed securities, external cash flows projections, agency (and NAIC) ratings
• Continuously scrub and enhance data within the investment systems (holdings, transactions, security master file, etc.)
• Assist with and review the daily cash reconciliation of custodian to investment system; resolve any issues or concerns immediately.
• Assist with and review the position reconciliation of custodian to investment system; resolve any issues or concerns immediately.
• Prepare/review internal reports for executives, actuaries, financial reporting, and investment management partners, as needed.
• Prepare/review monthly investment accounting trial balance reconciliations.
• Provide coaching, motivation, and act as a role model of work ethic for the Investment Analysis team.
• Assist in developing and maintaining investment accounting policies and procedures documentation (for MAR and otherwise). Responsible for developing well documented procedures and cross training others.
• Provide leadership in building relationships with team members, including those with different interpersonal styles. Have trusting and respectful relationships across both corporate accounting and business unit leadership
• Identify and achieve common objectives across the team. Empower team and share important or relevant information. Value and use individual differences and talents. Actively listen and participate in team decisions and actions.
• Coach others to identify and implement continuous process improvements and support innovation. Proactively seek information about future projects and developments and prepare the team to accommodate changes in jobs/functions; evaluate change objectively regardless of the impact on own or team, view change as being a positive opportunity. Enthusiastically adopt and support new work processes.
• Coach others to document conditions that cause problems to occur, develop an action plan and take initiative with our vendors and partners, when appropriate. Provide insight to assist others in better understanding of facts and circumstances. Encourage collaboration so team members seek information and gain buy-in.
• Consistent with the team's adoption of Workplace Flexibility Guidelines, eligible employees may be allowed to work from home for a portion of each week if all company and team requirements are met under the guidelines.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's Degree Accounting or Business Management with a strong accounting background required
• Minimum 5 years' of accounting, financial reporting, auditing, or related experience, insurance and/or investment accounting experience preferred
• CPA and/or working toward CFA preferred
• Strong command of GAAP accounting, insurance and/or investment accounting knowledge is a plus
• Familiarity with accounting systems, key controls, audit reports, report writing tools, and data analysis tools
• Ability to build and maintain a strong working relationship with staff and managers within Corporate Accounting and our Asset Management partners.
• Knowledge of complex investment instruments is a plus
• Excellent attention to detail, effective oral and written communication skills with an engaging, approachable style. Active listener
• Exceptional problem solving skills, encourages others to think critically, acts as a necessary resource coach, volunteers for assignments and removes barriers to facilitate the accomplishment of team goals; consistently involves others and brings different people's knowledge and skills to bear on achieving team goals; always shares relevant or important information with the team; always adheres to decisions and recommendations of the team and is an enthusiastic supporter
• Highly organized, self-directed, high level of accuracy and ability to meet strict deadlines is required
• Exemplifies organizational values in day to day actions
• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required.

Sammons Financial Group Companies offers some of today's most sought after life insurance, annuity, retirement planning products and portfolio-management solutions. Unlike most financial organizations, our companies are not publicly traded, which means we're focused on long-term value rather than short-term earnings pressures. As a privately held company, our leaders and employees remain consistently focused on long-term growth, making decisions that allow us to deliver on our commitments to customers, distribution partners, our employees, and our communities. Individually, our companies provide value in the products and services they offer. Together we represent a history of strength and longevity.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group:

• A rich company culture driven by private ownership and intentional leadership inspiring employees to engage in our healthy, high-performing and values based culture
• A healthy balance between work and personal life to do your best work. Workplace flexibility options may be available.
• Friday afternoons off, competitive Paid Time Off, volunteer time off and a generous number of paid holidays!
• Great benefits including medical, dental, vision, wellness, charitable giving programs, education assistance... to name a few!
• A generous, 100% company funded, Employee Stock Ownership Retirement Plan!
• A casual dress code, including jeans!