Sr. Accountant - Underwriting Operations

Established in 2021, Independence Pet Holdings is a corporate holding company that manages a diverse and broad portfolio of modern pet health brands and services, including insurance, pet education, lost recovery services, and more throughout North America.

We believe pet insurance is more than a financial product and build solutions to simplify the pet parenting journey and help improve the well-being of pets. As a leading authority in the pet category, we operate with a full stack of resources, capital, and services to support pet parents. Our multi-brand and omni-channel approach include our own insurance carrier, insurance brands and partner brands. 

Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a subsidiary of IPH, has over 50 years of underwriting experience and a history of innovation in the pet insurance industry. IAIC has built a reputation as a trusted and dependable partner. We are a pet-focused underwriter with deep insurance industry experience, offering a product with proven consumer appeal. 

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage key aspects of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including preparation, review, and analysis of financial statements.
• Validate, analyze and reconcile data files from third-party administrators; investigate anomalies, ensure resolution, and maintain robust documentation for audit and compliance purposes.
• Lead and contribute to process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Perform and supervise reconciliations for bank accounts, claim funds, funds held, and other critical balance sheet and expense accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to internal controls.
• Assist in the development and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen financial governance.
• Serve as a key liaison with internal auditors, external auditors and regulatory examiners; coordinate audit deliverables, respond to inquiries, and ensure audit readiness and compliance.
• Mentor and support staff by providing guidance, reviewing work, and fostering professional development.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant accounting experience; insurance industry experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong understanding of GAAP accounting principles.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas).
• Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends or discrepancies, and communicate findings clearly.
• Familiarity with insurance accounting concepts such as claims reserving, premium recognition, and reinsurance is highly desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Level Specific Responsibilities: 

• Manages financial accounting system, including all accounting entries and account analysis
• Responsible for reconciliations and/or audits
• Forecasts, monitors, and tracks cash flow
• Maintains balance sheet account analysis
• Reviews entries and statements for accuracy
• Prepares complex journal entries, schedules and/or models
• Participate in data related issue resolutions
• May review others journal entries and prepare more complex one-off Journal entries

Accountability/Complexity:

• May manage projects requiring the responsibility of delegation of work and review of resulting work product
• Works independently under limited supervision

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All of our jobs come with great benefits including healthcare, parental leave and opportunities for career advancements. Some offerings are dependent upon the location of where you work and can include the following:

• Comprehensive full medical, dental and vision Insurance
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee
• Company paid short-term and long-term disability
• 12 weeks of 100% paid Parental Leave
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Retirement savings plan
• Personal Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays and company-wide Wellness Day off
• Paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit organizations
• Pet friendly office environment
• Commuter Benefits
• Group Pet Insurance
• On the job training and skills development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)