Senior Accountant, Financial Reporting
Protective Life · Birmingham, United States · 2d ago
SeniorHybridAccounting & Audit$90k – $120k
The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.
We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.
Protective is seeking a Senior Analyst, Financial Reporting to support financial reporting and accounting activities across annuity products, the Retirement segment, assigned legal entities, and reinsurance arrangements. This role offers meaningful ownership of financial results, direct visibility to leadership, and opportunities to influence reporting quality, controls, and process improvements.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in accounting or audit, enjoys understanding the business drivers behind financial results, and is motivated by solving complex reporting challenges. This position is well suited for accounting professionals seeking broader business exposure and increased responsibility, as well as public accounting professionals interested in applying their technical and analytical expertise in an industry environment.
This opportunity offers a blend of technical accounting, financial analysis, leadership exposure, and cross-functional partnership, making it an attractive next step for experienced accounting professionals seeking broader ownership and influence within a growing business environment.
This is a Hybrid role which reports to the Birmingham, AL office 3 times a week.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead quarterly earnings analysis for annuity products, identifying and explaining key trends, variances, and financial drivers.
- Prepare and review Retirement segment reporting packages, earnings analyses, disclosures, and close-related deliverables.
- Present financial results during quarterly review meetings and perform follow-up analysis to address management questions.
- Perform and review GAAP and statutory income statement and balance sheet variance analyses for assigned products, legal entities, and reporting areas.
- Serve as the primary accounting and financial reporting contact for assigned product transactions and reporting responsibilities.
- Research and evaluate complex accounting matters, new transactions, reinsurance arrangements, and emerging reporting requirements.
- Coordinate reporting activities and critical deadlines across multiple stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate deliverables.
- Support reporting and analysis related to assigned legal entities and subsidiaries, including reinsurance-related activity.
- Partner with actuarial, FP&A, accounting, investment accounting, reinsurance accounting, technology, and operational teams to resolve issues impacting financial results.
- Execute and document internal controls and support internal and external audit requests.
- Identify reporting risks, control enhancement opportunities, and process improvement initiatives.
- Lead or contribute to automation efforts, reporting enhancements, and the implementation of new accounting or business requirements.
- Provide technical guidance, work direction, and quality review for team members supporting reporting activities.
Core Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Abilities):
- Strong financial analysis and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate conclusions clearly to varying audiences.
- Sound understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, and close processes.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Effective collaboration and relationship-building skills across diverse business functions.
- Ability to exercise professional judgment and independently resolve complex issues.
- Continuous improvement mindset focused on efficiency, accuracy, and strong controls.
- Attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of broader business impacts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field.
- Four or more years of progressive experience in accounting, financial reporting, auditing, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing financial results and investigating variances.
- Knowledge of financial reporting processes, internal controls, reconciliations, and month-end or quarter-end close activities.
- Experience working with complex financial data and delivering accurate, timely results.
- Ability to lead projects, workstreams, or key deliverables with limited supervision.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of an organization
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
- Public accounting experience, particularly within assurance or audit.
- Experience supporting insurance, annuity, life insurance, or reinsurance accounting and reporting.
- Knowledge of GAAP and statutory reporting requirements.
- Experience with financial reporting, earnings analysis, or legal entity reporting.
- Experience with SAP S/4HANA, Analysis for Office, or similar enterprise reporting tools.
- Experience leading process improvement, automation, or accounting change initiatives
The internal title for this role is Sr. Analyst, Financial Reporting. #LI-AP1
Employee Benefits:
We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.
Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.
Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability:
If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.
Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.