Financial Accounting and Reporting Operations Project Consultant

Zurich Insurance • Schaumburg, IL

110d • $94,100 - $203,700 • Remote

About The Position

Zurich North America is looking for a Financial Accounting and Reporting Operations Project Consultant to work out of our North American Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL. This position supports the Financial Accounting and Reporting team on several operational Finance projects leading in the development of project plans, defining requirements, assisting in, and confirming the recommended solution designs within various financial systems (i.e, SAP), and implementing approved solutions including addressing change management across all key stakeholders and business partners. The ideal candidate will work closely with all areas of Finance, the BUs/SSUs, and IT to support in the development and rollout of new or enhanced processes and ensure that the required change management activities are fully addressed and communicated across our Finance business partners.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting and Finance area OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Accounting and Finance area OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Accounting and Finance area AND
• Experience in Financial Accounting and Reporting, Project Management and Financial Business systems / integrations.

Nice To Haves

• 10 or more years of systems related experience related to one or more of the following areas: General ledger, financial reporting systems, Business Objects or other query tools.
• CPA.
• CPCU.
• MBA.
• Insurance industry experience.
• Advanced knowledge of financial accounting and reporting.
• Public accounting experience.
• Project management experience.
• General ledger or general accounting/operational experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Office experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assists in medium to large complexity projects, which are often cross-functional (Finance, Business units, Operations, and IT) and highly visible.
• Applies knowledge of financial accounting and reporting processes to practice when working to develop and implement innovative solutions.
• Takes an initiative-taking, comprehensive approach to business practices and processes; provides methodologies, tools, and measurements to sponsors and team members to support initiatives.
• Supports the development of high level and detailed project plans for projects and initiatives working and collaborating with cross-functional areas to ensure timelines, resources and deliverables established and executed upon.
• Addresses issues and escalates risk and issues to project sponsors and key stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Ensures appropriate change management practices are effectively utilized throughout the project lifecycle to improve execution and delivery of results.
• Partners across the business to identify, develop, and implement change management strategies; acts as a leader, influencer, and change agent in the implementation of initiatives that support the strategic and operational priorities.
• Understands the scope of projects, reviewing output and undertaking impact analysis to ensure that the impact of the changes is fully understood, consistent, and that the benefits are measurable and achievable.
• Serves as a liaison between team members and external stakeholders to maintain momentum of delivery.
• Deploys risk management techniques to ensure risks identified, evaluated, reported and that there are suitable plans in place to manage them.
• Supports in the review of new and enhanced processes implemented against the ICR control framework and ensure alignment or work to develop new controls, if required.
• Manages the resolution of issues through the project team members and liaison with affected business areas.
• Defines and gains agreement on the acceptance criteria which must be met before change can be implemented.
• Engages, influences, manages expectations and provides regular reporting to relevant stakeholders throughout the duration of delivery.
• Undertakes close down activities to ensure completion of all necessary tasks along with the relevant sign offs.
• Business Travel, as required.
• Extended Hours during Peak Periods, as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents.
• Competitive compensation.
• Short-term incentive bonuses and merit increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree