Accountant, Technical Lead

Technical Lead Accountant

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as "The Relationship Company," we define success as a measure of the relationships we've built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That's the power of "nice". At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Western National is seeking a Technical Lead Accountant to join our team!

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to perform accounting tasks, support the Accounting Department, and ensure quality and accuracy of data flowing to financial system(s). The individual in this role will partner with finance and business stakeholders to configure business processes, deliver meaningful reporting, and will be responsible for optimizing and maintaining the Workday FINS platform to support efficient and effective accounting operations.

Responsibilities and opportunities of this role include:

• Reconciles financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information along with developing a conclusion and resolving issues.
• Understands how data flows from source systems to data warehouse to imports. Has working knowledge of Insight tables and is able to partner with the Data Management Team to modify, when necessary, and resolve issues.
• Collaborates with other departments to understand business needs and implements process improvements and controls that impact financial performance.
• Configures, tests, and deploys enhancements and new business processes in Workday.
• Leads department projects and performs necessary follow-up actions such as training, implementation, and ongoing monitoring.
• Leads projects and implements new financial tools and automation.
• Works cross-functionally with Finance, IT, HR, and external consultants during system upgrades and new module rollouts.
• Documents business requirements, test scenarios, and end-user procedures.
• Maintains, performs, and updates internal control procedures.
• Reviews work of other team members.
• Participates in audit process, including investigating and concluding on discrepancies.
• Substantiates financial transactions by auditing documents.
• Designs, organizes, and implements substantive tests and tests of controls for Model Audit Rule.
• Analyzes, researches, and documents accounting discrepancies to ensure data quality and accuracy.
• Acts as the subject matter expert (SME) on specific tasks.
• Seeks relevant information and answers to key questions from defined sources.
• Recommends and implements changes to improve accounting procedures and accounting operations to enhance efficiency and decision making.
• Makes decisions for routine activities and suggests solutions for nonroutine activities.
• Involves manager on complex / nonroutine issues.
• Identifies and / or analyzes more complex problems, recommends solutions.
• Breaks down problems, identifies root causes, and evaluates the benefits, costs, and risks of potential solutions.
• Applies knowledge and creativity to help solve problems of varied scope and complexity.
• Anticipates potential system or process risks and proactively recommends preventative measures.
• Uses data and reporting to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for system or process improvements.
• Consistently acts according to our customer experience standards, including responding quickly, maintaining a positive attitude, building rapport, demonstrating empathy, managing the customer's expectations, using the proper communication channel for the situation, and taking ownership to ensure the customer's issue is resolved.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Must-have qualifications for a candidate include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and regulations theory and practices.
• Ability to work additional hours to meet deadlines and / or complete projects.
• Demonstrated time management, prioritization, and organization skills to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient use of various core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages.
• Demonstrated use of advanced Excel skills and functional knowledge of data analysis software (SQL).
• Ability to research and apply technical accounting issues.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, information systems, or a related field.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to interpret and report financial data.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and provide clear and relevant information to others.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and detailed reports on a timely basis.
• Proven ability to update, create, and document processes.
• Insurance accounting experience.
• Five-plus years of relevant experience.
• Experience in Workday.

The targeted hiring range for this role is $93,100 - $128,040, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate, as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and / or may be considered for other positions.

Western National has long been known as "The Relationship Company" and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward's 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.