AVP - Internal Controls

United Fire Group is seeking an Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Internal Controls to play a critical role, responsible for building and leading the company's internal control's function. This AVP will design, implement, and oversee a robust internal control framework, with an initial and primary focus on Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) and NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR) compliance. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on leader with a strong background in risk identification, control design, and process optimization within the P&C insurance industry.

This individual will be instrumental in fostering a culture of strong governance, risk management, and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Establish the vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Internal Controls department, including defining its mandate, structure, and operational procedures.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on internal controls, providing guidance and education to business partners and senior management.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive, risk‑based SOX compliance program that meets regulatory requirements and provides assurance over the company’s internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR).
• Lead walkthroughs of key business processes and collaborate with process owners across the company to design effective, preventative, and efficient controls.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify, evaluate, and prioritize financial reporting and operational risks inherent to the P&C insurance business.
• Evaluate and mature the company's control environment by providing strategic risk guidance and designing mitigating controls.
• Establish and monitor key risk and performance indicators to provide early identification of risk trends and potential control deficiencies.
• Embed themselves in key company initiatives to provide risk and control advisory support for system upgrades and implementations.
• Lead the evaluation of control deficiencies to understand root cause and impact and work with process owners to develop effective remediation plans.
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset, challenging existing processes and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to identify and implement efficiencies.
• Evaluate controls and processes for opportunities to leverage automation and new technologies, reducing manual effort and improving control effectiveness.
• Partner with management to provide value‑added recommendations that address identified control weaknesses in a sustainable and effective manner.
• Liaise directly with the company’s internal and external auditors, serving as the main point of contact for all SOX and internal control matters.
• Report regularly to senior leadership and the Audit Committee on the status of the internal control environment, highlighting key risks and progress on remediation.
• Collaborate with other governance and risk functions (e.g., Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit) to ensure an integrated and holistic approach to risk management.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related field preferred.

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred.

• 12+ years of experience in internal audit, internal controls, or public accounting, preferably within the insurance or financial services industry preferred.
• Proven experience designing and implementing a SOX compliance program, including leading risk assessments, control design and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience in a public company environment, with a strong understanding of SEC and PCAOB regulations related to ICFR.
• Experience building and managing a team, including attracting, hiring, and developing talent.

• Deep knowledge of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act, COSO framework, and US GAAP.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to identify, analyze, and interpret complex business processes and risks.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and implement automated control solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to effectively…