Corporate Accounting Manager – Global Specialty

Job Summary

The Corporate Accounting Manager – Global Specialty is responsible for leading and executing high-impact initiatives that enhance the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of global specialty accounting operations. This role partners closely with accounting leadership, finance, and cross-functional teams to drive process improvements, support transformation efforts, and strengthen the overall financial close and reporting environment.  This position plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities, including close acceleration, system optimization, financial reporting, and standardization of processes. This role is based in Grand Rapids, MI.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute strategic accounting initiatives aligned to organizational priorities, including close acceleration, accurate financial reporting, systems optimization, and process standardization.

• Partner with global accounting teams to identify opportunities for efficiency, scalability, and improved financial accuracy.

• Drive the implementation of new processes, tools, and policies across accounting functions.

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of key initiatives, ensuring alignment with timelines, objectives, and stakeholder expectation.

• Perform variance analysis to identify discrepancies and errors and manage efforts to resolve issues efficiently through root cause analysis.

• Analyze aged and legacy account balances, identifying items requiring follow-up to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

• Work with agency partners on strategic initiatives and accounting accuracy.

• Support both internal and external audit processes by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring timely and accurate information delivery.

• Manage relationships with consultants and temporary partners, ensuring alignment and effective execution of strategic initiatives.

• Lead and execute initiatives with minimal supervision, delivering high-quality results within established deadlines and defined requirements.

• Team Management and Development:

  • Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with the department's objectives and the company’s overall goals.

  • Foster analytical thinking and problem-solving skills while driving outcomes and accountability.

  • Support a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth, promoting skill development and career progression within the team.

  • Work closely with the broader finance team, including corporate accounting, consolidations, tax, treasury, and financial planning & analysis, to ensure accurate financial reporting and execution of key initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Partner with Accounting, Finance, Operations, and other departments to ensure seamless execution of initiatives.

  • Facilitate alignment across geographically dispersed teams, driving consistency in processes and adoption of changes.

  • Serve as a key liaison between stakeholders to ensure clear communication, expectation alignment, and issue resolution.

  • Support change management efforts, including communication, training, and adoption strategies.

• Governance & Execution Oversight:

  • Establish governance frameworks to track progress, manage risks, and ensure accountability for strategic initiatives.

  • Provide regular updates to senior leadership on initiative status, risks, and outcomes.

  • Evaluate initiative results and ensure sustainable implementation of improvements.

  • Maintain documentation of processes, controls, and initiative outcomes for audit readiness and knowledge sharing.

• Policy and Compliance:

  • Ensure activities and processes comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, including the adherence to SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) controls.

  • Partner with internal and external auditors to support process improvements.

  • Strengthen control environments through standardization and documentation enhancement.

• Process Improvement:

  • Design and implement process improvements to enhance the month-end close, reconciliations, and reporting cycles.

  • Lead accounting transformation efforts, including automation, system integrations (e.g., Workday, FloQast), and workflow improvements.

  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement and standardization across domestic and international teams.

Requirements

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical, organization and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.

• Show initiative to complete work without the prompting of others.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with agency partners and external and internal stakeholders. 

• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

• Expertise in Workday and EPIC accounting software.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.

• Minimum +5 years of experience in accounting, auditing and/or financial analysis required.

• Minimum +3 years of experience managing a team required.

• Experience in leading cross-functional initiatives and process improvement efforts

• Strong understanding of accounting operations, internal controls, and audit requirements.

• Understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting standards (GAAP), and financial regulations.

• Insurance industry experience (preferred)

#LI-MV1

#LI-Onsite

Candidates should be comfortable with an on-site presence to support collaboration, team leadership, and cross-functional partnership.

Employee Benefits

We also offer our employees a comprehensive suite of benefits and perks, including:

• Physical Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; fertility benefits; wellness resources; and paid sick time.

• Mental Wellness: Generous paid time off and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and a complimentary Calm app subscription.

• Financial Wellness: Immediate vesting in a 401(k) plan; Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options; commuter benefits; and employee discount programs.

• Family Care: Paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave (including for adoptive parents); legal plan options; and pet insurance coverage.

• … and so much more!

This list is not exhaustive of all available benefits. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply to certain offerings. Benefits may vary based on subsidiary entity and geographic location.