Controller

You spend at least a third of your day at your job. You might as well spend it doing something you really love while working with a team you really enjoy being with, right? That's the kind of atmosphere we offer at Pekin Insurance-fun, fast-paced, gratifying, supportive, and collaborative.

Of course, it's not all fun and games. Insurance is a serious business, and we pride ourselves on making people's lives whole again after a major disaster or even a fender bender. It's that sense of helping people that makes our team want to do our best every day.

If you want to be excited about starting your workday and are ready to make a real difference in people's lives, this could be the right spot for you.

See what Pekin Insurance has to offer by viewing a short video here.

Position Overview

As the Controller overseeing our property & casualty and life insurance companies, you'll be entrusted with the meticulous management of our financial operations. Your role extends beyond traditional financial oversight; you'll be a change agent, driving transformation and innovation within our organization. Your focus will be to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and compliance in financial reporting, fortify our internal controls and policies, and offer strategic counsel to our organizational leadership. Your expertise will be instrumental in navigating the intricacies of accounting, finance, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that our financial practices remain robust and agile in a dynamic industry landscape.

Beyond the numbers, you'll serve as a strategic advisor, leveraging your analytical acumen and industry insights to inform key business decisions. Your leadership will inspire excellence within our Accounting department, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. In essence, your role as Controller encompasses both the precision of a financial architect and the foresight of a strategic navigator. With your guidance, Pekin Insurance will continue to chart a course of financial strength and resilience in the insurance market.

Essential Job Functions

• Timely Financial Reporting: Leads the review and distribution of financial data, crafting monthly, quarterly, and annual statements for both internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

• Accuracy Assurance: Oversees the review process to guarantee the precision of all financial reports, including statutory, quarterly & annual statements, NDA statements, audit reports, and monthly financial packets.

• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Directs the development, analysis, and interpretation of statistical, accounting, and tax data to provide actionable insights to management.

• Financial Insight: Reviews income by line of business, cost allocations, and various financial information to inform strategic decision-making.

• Policy and Internal Control Management: Develops, implements, and manages financial policies, practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance and optimize financial processes.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with regulating bodies such as NAIC and state insurance departments by filing required quarterly, annual, and other necessary reports.

• Audit Facilitation: Facilitates annual financial statement audits, actuarial opinions, Department of Insurance financial examinations, and Federal/State tax audits.

• Continuous Improvement: Drives continuous improvement and cultivates an innovative culture in the accounting department. By leveraging technology and process optimization, you'll boost efficiency and accuracy. Beyond technical solutions, you'll lead cultural change through effective communication and leadership, encouraging a mindset of embracing change and seeking improvement.

• Software and Platform Management: Manages and procures appropriate software and financial platforms for all financial reporting needs, staying abreast of technological advancements.

• System Maintenance: Maintains all accounting systems to ensure the availability of accurate and complete financial and statistical data for reporting purposes.

• Internal Control Structure: Establishes and maintains an effective internal control structure to safeguard assets and ensures the reliability of financial reporting.

• Talent Management: Fosters a work environment that attracts and retains top accounting talent, providing training, mentorship, and growth opportunities.

• Stakeholder Management: Cultivates collaborative relationships with internal management partners, external auditors, consulting actuaries, insurance examiners, and legal counsel.

• Departmental Leadership: Plans, organizes, directs, and controls the activities of the Accounting department to meet organizational goals.

• Employee Development: Trains and mentors Accounting department employees to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborates with executive management and various departments to support decision-making and enhance operational efficiency.

• Presentations: Delivers regular presentations covering a wide variety of accounting and regulatory topics to internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance roles, preferably in the insurance industry.

• Seven years of experience in leading and managing teams, with a proven track record of success in guiding financial operations.

Preferred or Specialized

• Master's Degree in Accounting

• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), or Associate in Risk Management (ARM) preferred

Certifications & Licenses

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In-depth skill in:

• planning, assigning, and supervising the work of others with precision and clarity
• effective coordination of tasks through meticulous planning and delegation
• proficient listening, defining, writing, explaining, and interpreting complex ideas and policies
• collaborating seamlessly with committees to achieve shared objectives
• masterful communication skills, both in public speaking engagements and in written correspondence
• evaluation and projection of financial scenarios with depth and accuracy
• expert time management, adeptly handling multiple tasks while consistently meeting deadlines
• self-directedness and proficiency in working independently, balanced with a strong ability to contribute effectively within a team setting
• adaptability to changes in responsibilities, work processes, performance expectations, and organizational dynamics
• leadership in spearheading and overseeing projects from inception to successful completion
• executing and implementing company directives with precision and efficiency

In-depth knowledge of:

• financial concepts, enabling informed decision-making
• statutory accounting principles, theories, and practices as prescribed by the NAIC and the Illinois Department of Insurance
• generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as outlined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB)
• complex automated accounting systems, adeptly managing multiple systems to ensure seamless operations and accurate financial reporting