Accounting Manager

The Premium Accounting Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all premium accounting functions, ensuring the accurate and timely collection, reconciliation, reporting, and administration of insurance premium transactions. This role provides leadership to the Premium Accounting team while maintaining strong partnerships with Accounting, Operations, Customer Service, Sales, Carrier Partners, and Executive Leadership.

The Premium Accounting Manager is accountable for safeguarding revenue integrity, ensuring compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements, driving operational efficiencies, and developing a high-performing team. The successful candidate will combine strong accounting and analytical expertise with exceptional leadership, communication, and process improvement capabilities. The Premium Accounting Manager is responsible for the collection of premiums on a portfolio of 60,000+ inforce insurance policies each month, using our automated collections system.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, develop, and motivate Premium Accounting team members to achieve departmental objectives and performance standards.
• Establish clear expectations, monitor performance, and conduct regular coaching and performance reviews.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service excellence.
• Support employee development through training, mentorship, and succession planning initiatives.
• Manage staffing requirements, workload distribution, and resource planning to ensure operational effectiveness.

Premium Accounting Operations

• Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly premium accounting activities, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Manage premium collection processes, payment processing, premium receivables, policy reconciliations, and revenue verification activities.
• Ensure accurate reconciliation of carrier premium statements, policy administration systems, and accounting records.
• Review and approve complex premium adjustments, payment arrangements, refunds, reversals, and exception transactions.
• Monitor aging receivables and implement strategies to minimize outstanding balances and collection risks.
• Ensure all premium accounting activities comply with company policies, carrier requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Building CSV data files using D&A tools for internal analytics and external reporting.
• Maintaining database of premium collection results using SQL hosted on AWS.
• Monitoring performance of the automated collection system, identifying issues and implementing solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen internal controls surrounding premium accounting and revenue recognition processes.
• Prepare, review, and analyze premium accounting reports, reconciliation summaries, and operational metrics.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies, variances, and reconciliation issues in a timely manner.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams during month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting cycles.
• Support internal and external audit requests by providing documentation, analysis, and process explanations.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, automation, accuracy, and scalability within premium accounting functions.
• Lead departmental projects and initiatives related to systems enhancements, workflow optimization, and process redesign.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level standards for the Premium Accounting team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to implement process improvements that enhance customer and advisor experiences.
• Participate in strategic initiatives that support organizational growth and operational excellence.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex premium accounting issues.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal departments, carrier partners, and external stakeholders.
• Partner with Operations, Accounting, Customer Service, Sales, Compliance, and Technology teams to ensure alignment and effective execution of business objectives.
• Communicate effectively with senior leadership regarding operational performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Specialty Life Insurance is one of Canada's fastest-growing life insurance organizations, proudly operating in partnership with two of Canada's leading carriers - Empire Life and Humania Assurance. Together, we offer advisors a broad, competitive product shelf to serve the diverse needs of Canadian families.

Specialty Life Insurance is committed to barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the AODA. Accommodations are available at any stage of the recruitment process upon request.