Chief Financial Officer

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer oversees all UFG financial operations and serves as the decision maker to move the organization's financial strategy forward. The individual in this role is responsible for the company's financial policies, financial internal controls, banking and rating agency relationships, and the relationships with the audit committee, auditors, and state/federal regulators. The position involves oversight of financial forecasting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing customer service and tax accounting.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for delivery of financial solutions to meet the needs outlined in our One UFG strategic plan. Operate as a business partner with functional heads across the enterprise and proactively offer solutions to the challenges in achieving our strategic objectives.
• Accountable for Finance and Accounting priorities and managing the people and processes that create value. Establish an effective work environment by setting clear objectives, promoting teamwork and cross-functional collaboration, recognizing outstanding performance, and maintaining open communication. Develop staff through coaching, feedback, and the creation of development plans.
• Direct and oversee all aspects of the finance & accounting functions of the organization.
• Influence business decisions by providing financial transparency through forecasting, planning, measurement, capital management and internal controls.
• Provide leadership in the continuous evaluation of short and long-term planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action and strategic financial objectives.
• Analyze and help quantify economic impact of business strategies and decisions to enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Ensure credibility of finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, and forecasts.
• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
• Maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure.
• Review consolidated GAAP financial statements and related internal reports
• Review SEC filings and related internal reports
• Review and analyze internal and external financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with FASB, SEC and state regulation pronouncements and rules.
• Manage processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidation and reporting to the Company.
• Work with company management and director of internal audit in the design, implementation and testing of appropriate controls in each of the major functional areas.
• Communicate with executive management and the Board of Directors concerning the company's financial condition, results of operations and peer results comparisons.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships and collaborate with executive management to identify needs, seeking full range of business solutions while building a strong team.
• Set strategy and aid in expense management.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or other related area required
• An advanced degree preferred

Certifications/Designations:

• CPCU designation helpful.
• CPA highly preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience within finance teams.
• 5+ years' operating in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in the finance/accounting function within a publicly traded company highly desired.
• Experience in the P&C Insurance industry highly desired.

Knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of statutory and generally accepted accounting principles, financial statement preparation, insurance industry knowledge, SEC reporting experience, management skills, analytical skills, business strategy, and the ability to work under pressure.
• Expertise in planning, forecasting and expense budgeting.
• Reputation as a trusted business leader in a finance related area.
• Ability to use data and analytics to make better finance decisions
• Ability to bringing together disparate stakeholders within finance and the business.
• Ability to assess and implement key drivers to increase profitability.
• Ability to identify and communicate areas of risk to appropriate business stakeholders.
• Communication skills both written and verbal along with effective presentation skills.
• Knowledge of key performance indicators (KPI's) in relation to strategic planning.
• A strong, strategic, and analytical mindset.

Working Conditions:

• General Office Environment with travel as needed.
• Travel: regular travel to the branch offices is expected as well as attending agency events.

Travel Required

Yes. Up to 25%