Accounting Operations Consultant

Summary

Responsible for independently analyzing and reporting financial results for Northwestern Mutual and/or its subsidiaries and maintaining the control environment surrounding the entities. The individual is responsible for coordinating the reporting process, ensuring the quality control of the reporting product on both a statutory and GAAP basis and for coordinating and for the accurate and timely compilation regulatory filings. This role requires in-depth experience and knowledge of the company, accounting process and current accounting standards.

External reporting responsibilities include producing high-quality audited financial statements and coordinating with external auditors to facilitate the completion of the company's annual examination. External reporting responsibilities also include regulatory reporting to various regulators, including the NAIC, state insurance departments, FINRA, SEC and OCC. With the overall goal of protecting the company's reputation, broad business knowledge and attention to detail will be vitally important in this role.

Has interactions with product, accounting and actuarial department and finance leaders and requires strong business partnerships as analyses, insights and recommendations are presented.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Internal reporting may include the preparation of financial reports and analysis for the Board of Trustee, Senior Management or subsidiary entity Board of Directors, with a high standard for accuracy and consistency of information presented and relevant commentary, including assisting with product line analysis and business case development for business partners and department leaders. External reporting includes preparation of audited financial statements ensuring compliance with GAAP and regulatory filings ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Act as a resource company-wide to develop knowledge in other advanced professionals related to the financial results of Northwestern Mutual and its affiliates. May provide leadership to financial and business constituents throughout the company to improve and further develop company reporting and analysis.

• May assist in managing regulator relationships to assure continued highest available ratings for insurance financial strength and actively monitoring rating agency activities / publications and promptly distributing those of industry or competitive significance, including strong standing with other regulators. This responsibility includes providing quality assurance for all filings and information provided to regulators, including the net capital computation and various regulatory filings (FOCUS, SSOI, Form Custody, etc.).

• May also assist in the monitoring and analyze the application of current and future statutory and GAAP accounting standards in relation to Northwestern Mutual and/or its subsidiaries. The individual will maintain in-depth technical expertise with respect to current and emerging accounting and reporting issues and use this technical expertise to make recommendations and articulate best practices on behalf of the family and function.

• May support the department's efforts to sustain compliance with internal controls over financial reporting, including Model Audit Rule. This responsibility includes ensuring control documentation is maintained/updated and controls are tested according to plan, monitoring progress on deficiencies and remediation efforts and managing the annual certification process.

  May also perform other accounting reporting and analysis special projects, as requested, by the CFO, Controller and division leaders.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Business Administration with Accounting emphasis required.

• Minimum of six years of relevant financial services accounting/auditing experience.

• Large firm public accounting/ auditing experience preferred.

• Strong written communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to develop and interpret financial models for complex analysis.

• Attention to detail, with the ability to operate in fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with divisions within the Finance, Controllers and other departments within Northwestern Mutual and public accounting firms. Self-starter accounting professional.

• Proficient spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation application skills.

• CPA preferred.

• Series 27 license preferred (or ability to obtain immediately).

#LI-Hybrid

This position has been classified as an Associated Person under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting and completion of required form.

Required Certifications:

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

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We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups