Financial Reporting - Senior Accountant-US

Overview: The Statutory Reporting Team within Talcott’s US Accounting Group is responsible for managing the statutory financial reporting process, maintaining strong financial integrity and controls within the reporting process, as well as preparing and supporting rating agency surveys and other statutory-based requests. The Senior Accountant will report to the Director of Life Statutory Reporting. This role is ideal for an accounting or finance professional interested in growing a fast-paced career at a growing life insurance / reinsurance carrier.  In this role you will assist with the financial reporting process for assigned life insurance companies and have the opportunity to collaborate across lines of business and departments, including Finance and Actuarial leadership, as well as with other counterparties (i.e. Reinsurance and Legal partners).  We are looking for individuals to bring a fresh perspective to our accounting and reporting processes and controls.  This role will require strong analytical and organizational capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on maintaining strong but efficient and controlled financial reporting processes with a goal of identifying process improvements in assigned areas, while maintaining integrity and accuracy.   Responsibilities: The Senior Accountant is responsible for the coordination, preparation and review of various statutory supplemental and state compliance filings for Life companies, along with footnotes for annual and quarterly statutory financial statements and annual statutory audits for assigned life companies.  Actively coordinates with Legal, Compliance, Tax and Actuarial functions. Assists in preparing total company variance analysis across all domestic life entities in support of quarterly presentations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Assists in setting reporting deadlines, developing reporting standards, assisting with interpreting the impact of new statutory accounting guidance and accounting policies, and supporting significant transactions, supporting filings, system conversions and enhancements. Supports the preparation and review of accurate and complete statutory disclosures in our financial statements. Performs variance analysis and analytical review of disclosures, compliance forms and other key financial metrics and respond to ad hoc management and regulatory requests. Processes payments of state licenses and fees both at year end as well as throughout the year. Assist in the preparation of statutory information presented in rating agency and state insurance department requests as well as capital planning support and analysis. Manage and prepare statutory financial and regulatory filings and footnotes for quarterly, annual, and audited financial statements. Responsibilities include awareness and interpretation of statutory accounting and reporting changes, maintenance of an effective internal control environment over financial reporting, and timely and accurate preparation of the annual, quarterly, and audited requirements. Communication and coordination with numerous internal and external contacts. Maintain an effective SOX compliant internal control environment. Support the relationship with the Company's primary regulator, the Connecticut Dept. of Insurance (DOI) and other state insurance departments. Includes researching and responding to inquiries, completing requested surveys, and communicating accounting issues or confirming accounting treatment of various transactions. Support state compliance efforts, including various state entity filings. Participate in special projects including significant transactions, system upgrades and enhancements, and analytical reporting and ongoing sourcing activities (if applicable).  Requirements: Professional with the following background/experiences:  Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related field and a CPA or MBA is a plus. 3-7 years of experience in the financial services industry. Strong record of accomplishment in the financial services industry, preferably in the Life insurance industry, with statutory accounting and reporting experience preferred. Both insurance and investment knowledge a plus. Strong organizational, analytical, critical thinking and leadership/empowerment skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate information to various levels of management. Individual must possess a high level of initiative, be a self-starter, self-directed, independent and highly motivated. Strong aptitude for process and controls, including continuous improvement and best practices in financial reporting. Proficiency in Excel, Oracle (including SmartView reporting), WDesk, and desire to learn new applications (Sovos Wings).