Senior Financial Analyst - Expense Management

Job Summary:

Performs independent research and provides analysis of variances, trends and unusual transactions all related to expenses.  Plans, directs and controls the expense allocation methodology that is utilized for the Company’s financial reporting and planning processes.  Provides information that is critical to the actuarial assumptions that have a significant impact on the financial results of the business (e.g. DAC assumptions, cash flow testing and unit values for pricing our products).  Proactively researches significant business and technical issues involving expenses and develops innovative solutions to simplify and enhance the expense allocation system. The role requires a strong understanding of accounting and finance concepts and requires superior technical skills to apply those concepts

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Performs independent research and provides analysis of variances, trends and unusual transactions all related to expenses.  Reports typically include, but are not limited to, the following:

   • Budget variance analysis

   • The Company’s monthly Statutory and GAAP Management Reports and Supplemental Exhibits

   • Annual Audited Statutory Financial Statements of Life Companies

   • Annual or Interim Audited GAAP Financial Statements

   • Statutory filings with regulators

   • Inter-company comparisons and analysis

2. Plans, directs and controls the expense allocation methodology that is utilized for the Company’s financial reporting and planning processes.

3. Works with internal and external auditors as needed

4. Provides documentation and respond to questions as needed.  Establishes and monitors controls and documentation for expense allocation processes in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

5. Recommends and implements changes to the Company’s expense accounting and allocation processes, procedures and controls.  Leverages existing technology to greatest extent possible.

6. Designs new and modifies existing accounting policies and procedures. Initiates changes necessary to comply with new Statutory or GAAP reporting standards or in response to changes in Company or line of business structure.  Reviews, recommends and implements accounting guidelines and policy changes

7. Evaluates the impact of changes on the Company’s financial policies, procedures, systems and reporting.  Determines the most cost-effective approach for implementation.  Negotiates with Dept Mgrs to establish system and procedural changes that meet accounting control and reporting requirements.

8. Leverages technology to greatest extent possible which requires intimate working knowledge of the Company’s key systems, including Hyperion.  Also requires a creative mindset in designing and  implementing additional automation when a system solution is not available (e.g. utilizing Excel, Access, etc).

9. Ensures that the controls are in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and Internal Audit requirements and are consistently followed and updated, as necessary.

Skills, Knowledge and/or Experience:

• CPA / MBA or the equivalent

• Five or more years of accounting/finance experience in a variety of business areas including a portion of the experience in one or more of the following categories: expense accounting, budgeting, expense   allocations, financial reporting or financial planning.

• Mastery of financial analysis and competence in technical accounting issues, proven ability to negotiate and communicate high level, frequently sensitive financial issues

• Works with very limited direction and has proven ability to prepare and present complex accounting issues to senior management

• Superior analytical and computer skills