Accountant

At Banner Life Insurance Company, we lead with heart and ambition. Every day, we transform purpose into progress, guided by our unwavering commitment to be better for our customers, clients, and communities, not just today but long-term as well. Our people are the driving force behind everything we achieve. Their passion, purpose, and pursuit of innovation empower us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that support those we serve, ensuring we are here for you, here for good and striving for better.

We're a forward-thinking company energized by our work and how we show up for one another. Our culture is built on meaningful impact and genuine enjoyment, because we believe great work and great experiences should go hand in hand.

By offering career development opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and programs that support your wellbeing, we help you thrive personally and professionally. We are here for you, here for good and here for better.

The Accountant will perform various accounting duties as outlined below.

Lead daily cash management activities across multiple entities, including initiating and processing wire transfers, ACH transactions, and intercompany funding using the Wells Fargo Commercial Electronic Office (CEO) system. Monitor and resolve Positive Pay exceptions and other bank alerts to support fraud prevention and compliance with banking controls. Research and process stop payments as needed, and review daily banking activity (debits, credits, returns, and exceptions) to ensure accuracy, proper coding, and documentation. Prepare and distribute Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) reporting for EFT, EBill, and PAC activity, and provide timely confirmations for completed wires and stop payments. Maintain daily cash workpapers and funding memoranda supporting the PRT business (150+ accounts) and assist with bank fee analysis by identifying trends and variances.

1. Prepare and perform mid-year and year-end 1099 review and reconciliation for all entities to ensure accuracy and completeness. Coordinate with ASD and Sovos to validate vendor data and ensure 1099 forms are accurate, compliant, and processed in a timely manner. Participate in scheduled 1099 planning and status meetings led by the Tax Coordinator to support timely resolution of issues and compliance with reporting deadlines.

1. Serve as a liaison between Wells Fargo Client Service Officers and internal departments to research and resolve banking items, including legal inquiries, audit requests, policyholder questions, suspected fraud, transmittal file errors, and returned check/EFT/PAC exceptions. Provide required reports and detail downloads from the banking portal to support daily cash management, bank reconciliations, and suspense account balancing. Coordinate with the bank on debit and credit notices to obtain complete documentation for journal entries and to dispute any undocumented or incorrect transactions.
2. Maintain the American Express (AMEX) / Concur reconciliation and coordinate payment of the monthly AMEX bill, including proactively reaching out to cardholders to ensure expense reports are submitted and processed timely. Reconcile Concur suspense accounts and lead research on any open issues.
3. Prepare and maintain the monthly unclaimed property (escheat) worksheet and research checks are outstanding for more than six months. Oversee the voiding of stale-dated checks, draft and send payee outreach correspondence, and coordinate replacement check issuance as needed. Ensure all supporting worksheets and documentation are current and complete so replacement check invoices can be processed in DocStar.
4. Lead Finance responsibilities surrounding cash balance distributions including maintaining workpapers, issuing monthly rollovers and/or lump sum payments (and associated letters) and preparation (annually) of 1099 R's.
5. Prepare monthly intercompany workpapers including reconciliations, research and reimbursement of intercompany balances. Prepare and post monthly intercompany journal entries and coordinate related fund transfers to settle.
6. Function as emergency backup for account specialist positions.
7. Other assignments as determined by management.

Education

BS/BA in Accounting

Experience/Knowledge

23 years of accounting experience with reconciliations, general ledger support, and cash control processes

Insurance industry experience preferred, not required

Solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and internal controls

Skills

Strong spreadsheet skills (Excel) with the ability to analyze and reconcile data

Strong problem-solving skills; highly organized with excellent attention to detail and follow-through

What's in it for you?

The expected hiring compensation range for this position is $61,300 - $84,2500 annually. This is a hybrid opportunity working in Frederick, MD.

The total compensation package for this position may include other elements, such as a sign-on bonus, long term incentives, and annual bonuses. This role is eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Plan. The current target payment for the position is 8% of base salary, modified for corporate and individual performance. Bonuses are pro-rated based on start date. This role has 15 vacation days and 10 sick days that are accrued on a bi-weekly basis. Employees also have 9 paid holidays throughout the calendar year .

We have a competitive compensation and benefits package focused on your overall wellbeing. Employee benefits include health, life, and dental insurance; 401K with company match up to 6% as well as a pension package; generous time off; and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year (we like doing fun stuff). We're big on professional development and we'll support and mentor you in your career progression and expect you to help us pay it forward by helping us develop tomorrow's leaders and growth-focused professionals. We value our teams and our communities and believe in giving back. Enjoy time off to volunteer for those causes that matter most to you!

If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. The Company reserves the right to change benefits plans at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.