Wealth Accounting Senior Specialist

About the Job:

The Senior Specialist in Wealth Accounting performs financial accounting functions, and related control activities, for assigned accounts and processes to ensure conformance with GAAP accounting standards, as well as compliance with FINRA and SEC regulations. Prepares information for inclusion in regulatory filings and other management financial reports. Analyzes accounting information, systems and processes to ensure accuracy, identify trends and identify, recommend and implement enhancements to improve efficiency. Represents the Department in enterprise-wide system and/or process development activities related to assigned work.

What You'll Do:

• Performs financial accounting functions for assigned accounts and processes to ensure conformance with STAT and/or GAAP accounting standards. Responsible for the accurate and timely preparation of journal entries, accounting reconciliations, and the trial balance. Includes accounting transactions and balances related to revenue, fees, expenses, compensation, and associated suspense accounts.

• Ensures the accuracy of the accounting generated by numerous contract administration systems as well as any manual accounting. Researches and resolves reconciliation issues, imbalances and open suspense items. Provides guidance to staff performing accounting and control activities. Maintains an effective internal control environment.

• Performs accurate and timely financial statement and analytical reporting. Analyzes balance sheet and income statement accounts to ensure the accuracy of accounting. Analyzes financial activity for alignment with expectations and the identification of trends or unusual items.

• Provides a strong understanding of the business transactions and related accounting performed by numerous contract administration systems.

• Analyzes accounting and related systems to identify potential enhancements to improve accuracy and efficiency.

• Leads or assists in efforts to implement system or process improvements, including those involving change in the operating departments. Represents the Department in enterprise-wide system and/or process development activities related to assigned accounts or processes. Collaborates with project teams to acquire a thorough understanding of changes.

• 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.

• Acts as coordinator and day-to-day contact for internal or external auditors in their examination of annual financial statements for assigned accounts and processes and provides support for requested information.

• Leads ongoing sustainability efforts to ensure continued compliance with the NAIC Model Audit Rule for assigned significant processes. Plans a sustainability approach and schedule. Collaborates with process owners and subject matter experts across the enterprise to ensure adequate internal controls are in place and operating effectively, and that related control documentations is developed and maintained as business changes occur.

What Experience You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, or related field or equivalent education plus experience required.
• Minimum of 3 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.

• Excellent communication skills.

Skills:

Analytical Thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.

Attention to Detail: Focuses on specific details to spot and correct errors in advance of them being found and surpass quality expectations. Performs work with thorough proofreading for presentation, content, accuracy, and overall quality.

Financial Accounting Principles: Understands and applies knowledge of financial accounting principles, processes, and systems to drive accuracy, efficiency, and optimization of financial activities. Develops and adheres to controls that support financial integrity in accordance with internal control framework, mandated laws and regulations.
Financial Acumen: Applies the knowledge of financial statements, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.

Learning Agility & Critical Thinking: Pursues learning and obtains knowledge continuously in relevant fields, methods, or technologies in current and future practices; continuously utilizes critical thinking to identify opportunities, execute solutions, and measure impact to constantly improve existing practices and processes based on feedback, lessons learned, and market trends.

#LI-Hybrid, #LI-Onsite

This position has been classified as an Associated Person under NMIS guidelines and requires fingerprinting and completion of required form.Non-Registered Fingerprinted - FINRA

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$70,320.00

Pay Range - End:

$105,480.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

Structure 115:

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.