Accounting Manager

Accounting ManagerThis is an ideal opportunity to work at a growing organization with a strong family culture. Shepherd Insurance is a privately-owned insurance agency that has delivered risk management solutions since 1977. With a wide variety of insurance and financial products, we are among the largest independent agencies in the country.The Accounting Manager oversees the day-to-day accounting operations of the agency, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and insurance regulations. This role manages teammates on the accounting team, leads close and reconciliation processes, and partners with the CFO, Director of Finance, and Controller to support financial strategy and operational decision-making. With a positive attitude, the Accounting Manager demonstrates teamwork and leadership amongst the accounting team to maintain profitability and operational efficiencies.Roles and Responsibilities:Oversee close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements.Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations.Serve as leader and mentor in the development of the accounting staff, including performance reviews and training measures.Design, implement, and maintain internal controls across accounting processes.Partner and collaborate with Controller to ensure accurate revenue, resolution of billing/commission/payment issues, carrier payables, trust accounts, and commission accounting.Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies.Prepare and review management reports, variance analyses, and financial dashboards.Manage the financial processes of the team including, but not limited to: Cash reconciliations, receivables, payables, accruals, tax payments etc.Assign and monitor workloads to ensure deadlines and accuracy standards are met.Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement amongst internal and external teams.Serve as secondary contact for external auditors, regulators, and tax advisors as requested.Oversee audit preparation, respond to inquiries, and ensure timely resolution of findings.Monitor compliance with fiduciary responsibility for client and carrier funds.Analyze financial trends and provide insights to support growth and profitability.Lead process improvements and system enhancements within accounting and finance teams.Perform other related duties as assigned.Requirements:Strong people management skills to cultivate and grow the team, and communication skills.Strong understanding knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls, preferred.Proven ability to manage deadlines and multiple priorities.Familiar with a variety of computer software applications including Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and accounting systems/software (QuickBooks).Ability to travel to acquired organizations and offices as needed.Education and Experience Requirements:Education requirement: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related degree preferred.5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, 2 years in supervisory or managerial role, preferred, in insurance, financial services or related field.Working Conditions/Physical Demands:Work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.