Director - Finance Systems and Process Improvements

Acuity is seeking a Director - Finance Systems and Process Improvements who will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and maintenance of Acuity’s financial systems, ensuring data integrity, compliance, smooth operation, future-readiness and ability to scale across a larger, more complex organization. In this role, you will work closely with Accounting leadership and staff to identify manual/time-consuming tasks and recommend process improvements and/or automated solutions. Also, be the finance/accounting financial systems subject matter expert working with dedicated Information Technology (IT) and Business Systems resources to successfully implement approved financial accounting projects.

Internal deadline to apply: 3/14/25

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Work with Accounting leadership and staff to identify, assess and document current state of or potential future needs for key financial systems and processes, with a focus on future-readiness and ability to scale across a larger, more complex organization.
  • Meet with functional Accounting users in key areas to understand current state and detailed requirements for relevant Accounting deliverables/ deadlines/workflows/processes/systems. Solicit Accounting staff ideas, needs, wants and wishes for these functions.
  • From current state analysis, document issues in meeting key deliverables including manual processes that will not scale well, requirements not being met, complicated and time-consuming reviews, potential for errors, output/analysis/reporting currently not available or time-consuming to produce due to system or process constraints.
  • Current financial systems areas identified or in progress include but are not limited to general ledger upgrade to cloud, premium tax software installation, reinsurance accounting system evaluation, document management system specifications/search and subject matter expert/vendor management for payroll/HR system.
• Create high level specifications and requirements for new or updated automated systems and/or recommend process improvements to aid efficiency/effectiveness and ability to scale.
  • For new solutions, research possible software products, process improvements or other tools for key Accounting processes. Solicit input from industry experts/network contacts; meet with vendors and schedule demos.
  • Represent/lead Accounting/Finance interests and requirements on 3rd party software or other financial systems projects.
    • For new software systems, working with cross-functional team:
      • Lead initial evaluation process, providing justification/cost analysis including opportunity costs.
      • Perform due diligence of vendor/financial viability/longevity/customer references/litigation issues, if any.
      • Seek and obtain Acuity IT security review.
      • Seek and obtain Acuity in-house legal contract/terms review.
    • For approved projects, collaborate implementation efforts with Accounting team, dedicated IT and Business Systems resources (and 3rd party consultants as applicable) to successfully move projects forward to completion.
      • Plan, budget and assist with project plan development.
      • Assist users in planning for key areas to be set up or updated, coordinate test plans, create training material and documentation for users and troubleshoot problems.
      • Help users with change management before, during and after installation until the new process is live and operating smoothly.
      • Monitor project against objectives, milestones and scope.
• Actively manage 3rd party financial systems vendor relationships. Monitor vendor communications regarding upgrades, updates and knowledge base publications; consistently communicate meaningful information to appropriate parties regarding upcoming changes; work with cross-functional team’s dedicated resources as needed for larger efforts.
• Lead continuous general automation and process improvement efforts for manual, time-consuming Accounting tasks and functions that will not scale well for a larger, more complex organization.
  • Recommend process improvements/automated solutions for inefficient tasks or processes.
  • Evaluate other software tools, reporting solutions and/or integrations to reduce over-reliance on complicated spreadsheets for financial analysis and ad hoc reporting.
  • Assist the staff in redesigning spreadsheets to be less complex, consistent across similar processes/work products, contain fewer tabs, be easier to follow, promote efficient/effective review and in turn reduce errors and enhance spreadsheet performance.
• Track, monitor and work with appropriate internal Acuity teams to resolve errors/problems/incidents for mainframe financial systems, daily balancing, general ledger feeds, reports and/or 1099/commissions in a timely manner.
• Ensure financial systems and/or process improvements appropriately segregate duties and functions, include necessary audit trails and facilitate a strong internal control environment.
• Assist with questions from auditors/requests for information related to financial systems and processes as needed.
• Assist with disaster recovery/business continuity planning, testing and continual improvement for financial systems and key processes.
• Be a constant learner attentive to enhancements in financial systems products/ new features as well as internal organization changes and/or new accounting/ regulatory requirements where systems/process improvements might be needed.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or information technology with a high degree of academic achievement.

EXPERIENCE:

7-10 years of accounting/finance and related project management experience preferably in the property and casualty insurance industry.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Financial expertise - Good understanding of statutory and/or GAAP accounting principles, financial reporting controls/requirements, general ledger, and other financial software systems.
• Technical proficiency - Technical knowledge of and experience leading financial software systems installations/upgrades and integrations.
• Project Management – Demonstrated project management skills with proven ability to successfully lead complex projects from concept/ evaluation through ultimate completion.
• Process improvement and workflow optimization experience.
• Strong analytical and Excel skills; proficient with Microsoft Office 365 Word and Teams.
• Excellent oral, written and collaboration skills; ability to work well with cross-functional teams and people at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic, critical thinking and problem solving skills are required.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with competing priorities.
• Meet deadlines accurately and efficiently.

*Acuity does not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization.*

This job is classified as exempt.

The salary range for this position is $172,300 – $207,200 annually. This salary range is an estimate and the actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.