Disability Insurance Finance Consultant

Northwestern Mutual•Franklin, WI

8d•$81,280 - $140,160

About The Position

Join Northwestern Mutual’s Disability Insurance (DI) Claims team as a Finance Consultant, applying accounting and tax expertise to analyze financial information that informs claim decisions and benefit calculations. The role partners with claims professionals and leaders to develop clear conclusions and support accurate, timely, and contract-consistent outcomes. It also involves communicating with financial representatives, claimants, employers, attorneys, and outside CPAs to clarify financial information and resolve questions during claim reviews. The consultant strengthens financial capabilities across DI Claims through consultation, training, mentoring, process improvement, and project work. Onboarding covers DI products and contracts, claim administration and financial practices, systems, and consultation workflows. Continued development comes through practical experience with increasingly complex products, financial questions, and claim scenarios, as well as ongoing education about accounting and tax developments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting.
Five or more years of accounting or tax-related experience.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess complex or incomplete financial information.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and deliver timely results.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, practical guidance.
Attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
Ability to train, mentor, and support the development of claims professionals.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and common document management, communication, and collaboration tools, with the ability to adapt to evolving systems, processes, and business needs.

Nice To Haves

CPA designation is strongly preferred.
An IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) designation may be considered when accompanied by relevant experience.
Experience preparing or reviewing personal and small-business tax returns.
Experience working with a variety of businesses and industries.
Knowledge of disability income insurance products, contracts, or claim administration.

Responsibilities

Provide financial analysis and consultation across DI Claims, applying accounting, tax, and contract knowledge to develop and document well-supported conclusions.
Review personal and business financial records to calculate and explain earned income, covered expenses, benefit amounts and adjustments, and differences between tax returns and monthly claimant reporting.
Provide claims professionals and leaders with clear, timely, actionable guidance, and partner with DI Claims leaders on complex, sensitive, or high-impact cases.
Identify potential compliance, tax, or other financial concerns and involve appropriate partners as needed.
Communicate with financial representatives, claimants, employers, outside CPAs, attorneys, and other stakeholders to clarify information and resolve questions throughout the claim review process.
Review taxable benefit data and support required federal income tax reporting.
Build financial expertise across DI Claims through consultation, mentoring, presentations, and training.
Assist in developing and maintaining financial policies, reference materials, and tools aligned with claim practices, applicable accounting and tax guidance, and contract provisions.
Support projects and process or technology improvements that strengthen the consistency, efficiency, and quality of financial claim administration.
Maintain current accounting and tax knowledge through continuing education and professional resources.