A bachelor’s degree in accounting or business-related relevant field of study
CPA, AFE or CFE designation
Five to ten years of related job experience
Strong ability to lead a team, prioritize and assign tasks, and develop others
Knowledge of Title 33 of the Montana Code Annotated, NAIC Model Laws, Statutory Accounting Principles, the risk-focused analysis and examination processes, and the formation and regulation of captive insurance companies
Demonstrate professionalism and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive material with tact, credibility, and discretion
Keen attention to detail and the ability to assess the financial position of a company through review of financial statements and other documentation
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders including industry, NAIC staff, consumer advocacy groups, employees, other agencies, and the general public
Public speaking confidence to represent the agency at meetings, seminars, and round table discussions related to Montana statutes for insurance regulation
Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, industry professionals, and the public
Strong organizational skills, effective time management, flexibility, multi-tasking abilities, attention to detail and follow-through
Evaluative thinking to reflect on department procedures and practices to assess effectiveness, consistency, and efficiency
Willingness to attend conferences and training events, including NAIC national meetings
Responsibilities
Manage and lead all aspects of the Examinations Bureau including planning, selecting, and implementing methods and procedures to achieve the bureau’s goals
Ensure that financial solvency monitoring and staffing are conducted in accordance with NAIC accreditation standards and Montana statutes and regulations
Assign and supervise workload and performance in the Examinations Bureau; promote staff development and certification
Support current technology solutions in the Examinations Bureau; regularly evaluate technology use and needs through evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of current processes and priorities
Facilitate the collection and reconciliation of premium tax revenue and other funds collected by the Financial Examinations Bureau
Monitor the bureau’s budget and provide input to the Fiscal Department during budget planning and preparation
Participate in the legislative and rule adoption processes, including providing testimony as an expert witness and recommending legislative or rule changes
Assist staff in implementing regulatory decisions made by the Commissioner, CSI Leadership or the CSI Legal Department
Recruit, hire, and train effective and productive staff as needed to accomplish bureau goals
Represent the Commissioner at meetings including NAIC, Montana statutes insurance regulation round tables, workshops or seminars; identify process changes and ensure their implementation
Oversee the annual internal audit of the CSI
This position is open until filled. Candidates applying through August 5, 2026, will be included in the first application review.
The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) has an exciting opportunity available for a Financial Examinations Bureau Chief in the Insurance Division. The CSI is a small, family-friendly agency that values unity, effective working relationships, and mutual respect. We challenge our team members to excel as individuals and as supportive leaders of a team, offering education and training, for continued development toward excellence.
To learn more about our agency, benefits, and this position, visit our "Work with Us" page on our website.
CSI Overview
We protect all Montanans by regulating two of the state’s largest industries - securities and insurance. Our mission is to foster a thriving marketplace through education, common-sense regulation, and equitable enforcement of the law, ensuring swift accountability for fraudsters and justice for victims. CSI is a criminal justice agency.
Additional information about our vision and mission is available on our “About CSI” webpage.
Why this Role Matters
We are seeking a candidate to fill the challenging and mission-critical role of Chief Financial Examiner. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a team of professionals in the financial regulation of insurance companies.This is an onsite position located in Helena, Montana.
Accredited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the CSI Examinations Bureau is primarily responsible for the financial oversight of licensed insurers and captive insurance companies domiciled in Montana. The Examinations Bureau also licenses insurance and insurance-related companies desiring to do business in Montana, ensuring the companies are financially sound.In addition, the Bureau is responsible for the collection and reconciliation of premium taxes and the regulation of medical discount card suppliers.
The Chief Financial Examiner serves as the Examinations Bureau Chief for the Examinations Bureau which is charged with the financial regulation of insurance companies, both traditional and captive, domiciled and/or operating in Montana through licensing, financial examination, and financial analysis. This position assumes full responsibility for the department’s function of financial regulation of insurance companies who operate in the State of Montana and provides overall management and supervision of the Examinations Bureau. This role also advises and represents the Commissioner on all matters related to the above responsibilities.
Did we mention the benefits?
State of Montana benefits, including retirement, health insurance options, paid leave, and predictable hours – a total compensation package delivering great benefits, financial security, and a retirement you can count on.
Additional benefit package information is located here.
State of Montana employment may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.Look here to learn more and understand whether or not you may qualify.
Effective July 1, 2026, this position may be eligible for a $1 (or 2.5%, whichever amount is greater) statutory increase.
What you will do
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following essential functions and other similar tasks\:
Leadership\: Manage and lead all aspects of the Examinations Bureau including planning, selecting, and implementing methods and procedures to achieve the goals of the bureau.
Accreditation\: Ensure that financial solvency monitoring and staffing are conducted in accordance with NAIC accreditation standards and Montana statutes and regulations.
Management\: Assign and supervise workload and performance in the Examinations Bureau. Promote staff development and certification.
Data Management\: Support current technology solutions in the Examinations Bureau. Regularly evaluate technology use and needs through evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of current processes and priorities.
Revenue Collection\: Facilitate the collection and reconciliation of premium tax revenue and other funds collected by the Financial Examinations Bureau.
Fiscal Accountability\: Monitor the bureau’s budget and provide input to the Fiscal Department during budget planning and preparation.
Legislative Support\: Participating in the legislative and rule adoption processes, to include providing testimony as an expert witness while recommending legislative or rule changes that are necessary or desirable to meet the goals and objectives of the division and bureau.
Policy Implementation\: Assist staff in implementing regulatory decisions made by the Commissioner, CSI Leadership or the CSI Legal Department.
Human Resources\: Recruit, hire, and train effective and productive staff as needed to accomplish bureau goals.
Visibility\: Represents the Commissioner at a variety of meetings, which include, but are not limited to meetings of the NAIC, round table discussions specific to Montana statutes for insurance regulation, presenting at workshops or seminars sponsored by insurance companies, producer associations, or consumer groups. Evaluating and identifying where changes in processes or priorities may be needed and ensuring implementation of those processes both internally within the bureau or agency and externally as necessary.
Internal Audit\: Oversee the annual internal audit of the CSI
What you bring
We are looking for a candidate who brings the following education, experience, and competencies\:
Education\: A bachelor’s degree in accounting or business-related relevant field of study.
Certification\: CPA, AFE or CFE designation.
Experience\: Five to ten years of related job experience.
Leadership Skills\: Strong ability to lead a team, prioritize and assign tasks, and develop others.
Regulatory Expertise\: Knowledge of Title 33 of the Montana Code Annotated, NAIC Model Laws, Statutory Accounting Principles, the risk-focused analysis and examination processes, and the formation and regulation of captive insurance companies.
Professionalism\: Demonstrate responsiveness, credibility, confidence, tact, cooperation, and sensitivity, as this position deals with confidential and sensitive material that requires effective handling, and the ability to maintain professionalism when challenged by perturbed customers.
Analytical Skills\: Keen attention to detail and the ability to assess the financial position of a company through review of financial statements and other documentation and make decisions or recommendations, accordingly.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills\: Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential to engage people and develop collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders, to include the industry, NAIC staff, consumer advocacy groups, employees, other agencies, and the general public.
Public Speaking Confidence\: This position will represent the agency at meetings, seminars, and participate in round table discussions specific to Montana statues for insurance regulation.
Interpersonal Skills\: Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, industry professionals, and the public.
Organizational Skills\: Strong organizational skills and effective time management, flexibility, multi-tasking abilities, attention to detail and follow-through.
Evaluative Thinker\: Reflective approach to department procedures and practices to assess effectiveness, consistency, and efficiency.
Professional Growth\: Willingness to attend conferences and training events, including NAIC national meetings.
How to Apply
If you have the qualifications and an interest in protecting Montana consumers, please submit ALL of the following with your application materials prior to the closing date/time of this vacancy announcement\:
Cover Letter\: Describe your knowledge and experience in insurance regulation and/or the insurance industry and how your experience and abilities qualify you for this position.
Resume
CPA, AFE or CFE certificate and/or direct evidence of current license status
Your application will NOT be considered without these required items.
Important Tip\: When uploading and submitting your application materials, please mark your attachments as “relevant” or we will be unable to view them.
Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and will not progress further in the process. Only electronic materials will be accepted. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact Human Resources.
CSI will invite a limited number of applicants to a minimum of one structured interview. Selectees are subject to a successful reference, background, and fingerprint check. Those selected for an interview may be asked to take a performance test prior to the interview.
Successful applicants will be subject to a criminal history background check.
Applicants claiming employment preference are required to provide proper documentation, i.e. Vet Preference (DD214), Disabled Vet document from U.S. Veterans Administration certifying service-connected disability or purple heart medal, disabled (DPHHS Disability Certification), by the closing date. The State of Montana Careers system will generate an email with instructions on how to submit preference documents.
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
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