Accounting Specialist

Emergent Holdings•Lansing, MI

About The Position

The Accounting Specialist is the most senior role in its job family and serves as a key resource for maintaining accurate, compliant financial records for the Enterprise. The position prepares journal entries, reconciles accounts, produces financial reports and schedules, and works with internal and external customers and vendors, including policyholders, claimants, banking institutions, and agents. The role supports general ledger and banking transaction accuracy, recurring accounting and loss-sensitive business activities, disbursement requests, tax and regulatory compliance, audits, ancillary systems, and ad hoc financial analysis and support. It also responds to customer inquiries, maintains confidentiality, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency. Work is performed in an office setting with no unusual hazards.

Requirements

Minimum of an associate degree in Accounting with at least 30 credit hours of accounting coursework; relevant education and work experience may be considered in lieu of the degree and credit hours.
At least five years of experience in accounts receivable, general ledgers, and financial reporting systems, or equivalent work providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities; alternatively, a bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and two years of such experience.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
Thorough knowledge of general accounting and bookkeeping methods, including journal entries, general ledger accounts, cost center structures, budgets, and basic financial statements.
Knowledge of insurance operations.
Ability to proofread documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format accuracy.
Ability to exchange information clearly and concisely, present ideas and facts, and respond to questions appropriately.
Ability to analyze accounting data and reports and make efficient, effective independent decisions within authority.
Ability to apply independent analytical thinking to define problems, establish facts, and communicate valid conclusions.
Excellent math skills and ability to use a ten-key adding machine.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize work.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software.
Knowledge of computers and word-processing applications.
Basic knowledge of database software.
Ability to enter alphanumeric data accurately.
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to use diplomacy, discretion, and appropriate judgment when addressing callers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business.
Experience with multiple-entity accounting.
Insurance-related coursework.
Two years of prior experience as an Accounting Operations Analyst II.

Responsibilities

Review general ledger entries and electronic banking transactions for accuracy, working with staff and proposing correcting entries as needed.
Prepare standard monthly and quarterly journal entries from transaction-processing system reports, including entries for written and unearned premium, paid losses, reserves, commissions, taxes, and banking transactions.
Monitor loss-sensitive business, including recording monthly premium and loss transactions; invoicing and collecting premium and losses; calculating retrospective premium adjustments; and tracking and ensuring appropriate collateral and aggregates.
Reconcile complex general ledger accounts and propose or make independent general ledger entries when necessary.
Request disbursement issuance for premium, collateral, and claims refunds; fraudulent check claims; regulatory filings; and commission calculations.
Compile and maintain financial schedules and reports for regulatory, external, and tax compliance.
Assist with preparation of routine tax schedules and returns for all entities.
Complete ad hoc requests from internal and external customers through system analysis and review, including error resolution, system support, and financial statement support.
Support external and internal audits of financial and regulatory reports and filings by providing requested detail schedules and supporting information.
Propose efficiency opportunities or recommend improvements.
Prepare, maintain, and verify data accuracy in ancillary systems.
Respond to internal and external customer requests by telephone or written correspondence, drafting correspondence as required to address complaints or information requests.
Maintain confidentiality of information processed.