Accounting Policy Director

Security Benefit Business Services / Everly Life•Overland Park, KS

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Accounting Policy Director, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining Security Benefit's accounting policies to ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP). You will also be responsible for building the tools, workflows, and AI-enabled infrastructure the function relies on to do that work efficiently. This role develops and maintains accounting policies and procedures, monitors and communicates the effects of proposed accounting standard changes, spearheads implementation of new standards, and advances Accounting Policy's use of AI tools and agents to accelerate research, documentation, and knowledge management. The Accounting Policy Director position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Head of Accounting Policy and can be based out of our Overland Park, Kansas or Des Moines, Iowa office. We work a hybrid schedule, offering flexibility to work both remotely and on-site.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required
Certified Public Accountant required, with experience in a public accounting firm (Big 4 preferred)
8-10 years progressive investments or insurance industry experience, with technical accounting experience preferred
Expertise in US GAAP and SAP
Ability to travel on a limited basis to corporate headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, and to industry conferences on an as-needed basis
Working knowledge of, or strong interest in, AI tools and agents (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot) and their application to technical accounting research, documentation, and workflow automation
Comfort building and maintaining structured knowledge repositories and internal tools, not just using existing ones
Credibility and character to liaise across corporate functions; ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues
Ability to develop solutions within the boundaries of regulatory agencies and corporate infrastructure standards
Sense of urgency, with the ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines, making adjustments accordingly and executing tasks in support of corporate goals
Ability to influence others, including stakeholders, staff, and other departments
Ability to act independently in identifying problems while exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues and interdependencies
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
High level of interpersonal skills, integrity, and ethics
Self-starter with a collaborative approach who values and encourages teamwork
Strong analytical, research, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks
Actively participate in and advocate for the Company's interests within industry forums

Responsibilities

Proactively monitor and research new and evolving accounting pronouncements from the FASB, NAIC, and other standard-setting bodies to ensure the Company's compliance with GAAP and SAP and accurate adoption of new standards
Serve as key developer of new accounting policies and procedures to account for significant and unusual transactions and technical accounting guidance; establish the workflow for approval
Develop and continuously improve the team's AI-enabled technical accounting knowledge repository: build and maintain the tools and workflows that capture research, precedent, and accounting positions in a structured, searchable format, and drive adoption across the team
Identify and build automation opportunities across Accounting Policy's core processes, including regulatory tracking, memo drafting support, and documentation standards, using AI tools and agents to reduce manual research and drafting time without compromising rigor
Develop and maintain reporting and regulatory tracking tools to keep all stakeholders informed of key GAAP, SAP, and NAIC changes
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to help advise on and determine accounting ramifications for complex transactions
Participate in working groups to optimize accounting policies, processes, and controls
Work independently to research and analyze proposed and completed transactions, and author Accounting Policy memoranda documenting those transactions
Design and deliver training programs, including AI-tool literacy for technical accounting use cases, to build SME capability across the finance department
Provide day-to-day guidance and review support to an Accounting Policy intern or co-op, as assigned, including directing research tasks and reviewing draft work product
Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and memo and documentation templates, incorporating AI-assisted drafting workflows where they improve speed without compromising rigor
Maintain current knowledge of topics arising from the FASB, AICPA, NAIC, and other governing bodies, including tracking of active SAPWG referrals
Lead special projects as needed
Support a culture of continuous improvement, including responsible AI adoption within the accounting function

Benefits

Competitive salary and annual incentive bonuses
33 days of paid time off (including PTO, holidays, Volunteer Day, and days of significance)
Paid parental leave after 90 days of service
Comprehensive medical, dental & vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Profit Sharing & Savings Plan
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Life Insurance
Educational assistance
Associate assistance programs