Wealth Accounting Lead

Northwestern Mutual • Wauwatosa, WI

293d • $69,720 - $129,480

About The Position

At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference. At Northwestern Mutual, we're changing the way people think about financial planning with the scale of a Fortune 100 company. We're redefining and disrupting the industry while changing people's financial lives with better experiences and better technology. We believe in building inclusive and diverse workplaces, where every voice is heard. Come help us build for the future! Independently performs financial accounting functions, and related control activities, for assigned products and processes to ensure conformance with statutory and GAAP accounting standards, as well as compliance with FINRA and SEC regulations. Owns the preparation and analysis of complex product line financial results. Analyzes numerous and sophisticated contract administration systems to ensure the accuracy of product accounting information and identify potential enhancements to improve efficiency. Represents the Department in enterprise-wide system and/or process development activities related to products.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, or related field or equivalent education plus experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional accounting experience.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
• Experience with the application of statutory or GAAP accounting standards in the insurance or financial services industries.
• Proven analytical and decision making skills.
• Proven track record to act independently.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of insurance and investment products and the financial services industry including Northwestern Mutual's business functions, products, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Independently performs financial accounting functions for assigned products and processes to ensure conformance with both statutory and GAAP accounting standards.
• Includes accounting transactions and balances related to revenue, fees, expenses, field compensation, and associated suspense accounts.
• Ensures the accuracy of the accounting generated by numerous contract administration systems as well as any vital manual accounting.
• Researches and resolves complex reconciliation issues, imbalances and open suspense items.
• Provides mentorship and coaching to others in the Division performing accounting and control activities.
• Analyzes balance sheet and income statement accounts to ensure the accuracy of accounting.
• Maintains an effective internal control environment and ensures continued compliance with FINRA and SEC regulations.
• Performs accurate, timely and value-added complex core financial statement and analytical reporting products for product lines on both a statutory and GAAP basis.
• Prepares reports and information for inclusion in Board reporting, regulatory filings and other management financial reports.
• Analyzes financial activity for alignment with expectations and the identification of trends or unusual items.
• Utilizes operational indicators, business plans/projections and actuarial information in this analysis.
• Analyzes product accounting and related administration systems to identify potential enhancements to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Leads efforts to implement system or process improvements, including those involving change in the operating departments.
• Collaborates with project teams to acquire a thorough understanding of changes.
• Independently develops and delivers comprehensive and clear accounting, reporting and testing requirements.
• Ensures that adequate accounting control structures are designed and implemented, and all necessary accounting information is completely and accurately recorded in the financial accounting systems.
• Collaborates with process owners and subject matter experts across the Company to ensure adequate internal controls are in place and operating effectively, and that related control documentation is developed and maintained as business changes occur.
• Researches, analyzes and coordinates the resolution of product accounting and reporting issues.
• Leads the implementation of new accounting and reporting requirements and standards impacting products.
• Represents the Division on projects, audits, task forces, and other special projects related to NM's products and services.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
• Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

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