Senior Reinsurance Accountant

Senior Reinsurance Accountant

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: New York

Compensation: $100,000 - $115,000 / year

The Senior Reinsurance Accountant is responsible for supporting the Company's reinsurance accounting function through the accurate recording, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. This role ensures compliance with US GAAP and US STAT requirements while supporting collateral management, funds withheld accounting, contract interpretation, financial reporting, and regulatory obligations.

The position partners closely with Finance, Actuarial, Underwriting, Claims, Operations, Treasury, Legal, IT, and external auditors to ensure accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and continuous process improvement across the reinsurance accounting function.

• Prepare and maintain accurate accounting records, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting for quota share and excess of loss reinsurance programs.
• Interpret reinsurance agreements and apply contract terms to accounting treatment, financial reporting, master data, and operational processes.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Prepare and reconcile funds withheld balances, recoverables, commissions, settlements, premiums, and collateral-related activity.
• Assist in monitoring collateral arrangements including trust accounts, letters of credit, and funds withheld balances while identifying potential deficiencies or exposure.
• Analyze financial data, investigate variances, aged balances, settlement discrepancies, and data quality issues, providing recommendations for resolution.
• Maintain reinsurance master data and support governance over contract information, system configuration, and reporting integrity.
• Partner with Finance Systems and IT to support system enhancements, testing, automation initiatives, and process improvements.
• Prepare documentation supporting accounting conclusions, reconciliations, internal controls, audit requests, and regulatory reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial, Treasury, Legal, and Operations to ensure consistent application of contract terms and accounting policies.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory examinations, and rating agency requests.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, improve operational efficiency, and reduce manual processes.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of reinsurance accounting principles, including quota share, excess of loss, recoverables, settlements, collateral management, and funds withheld arrangements.
• Working knowledge of US GAAP and US STAT accounting requirements.
• Ability to interpret complex reinsurance contracts and translate contractual terms into accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with ERP systems, sub-ledgers, reporting platforms, and reinsurance administration systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical accounting concepts to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with compliance audits.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, automation, and operational excellence.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multitask effectively under strict deadlines.
• Ability to work in the NY office up to 2 days a week.

Experience & Education

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in reinsurance accounting, insurance finance, public accounting, or a related financial services environment.
• Experience with assumed and/or ceded reinsurance accounting.
• Experience interpreting reinsurance agreements and applying contract terms to accounting and financial reporting.
• Experience with collateral management, funds withheld accounting, recoverables, and settlement accounting preferred.
• Experience supporting financial audits, regulatory reporting, and internal control processes.
• Experience working with insurance accounting systems, ERP platforms, financial reporting tools, and data reconciliation processes.
• Experience with in the insurance, reinsurance, MGA, fronting, or delegated authority marketplace preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. Master’s degree is a plus.
• CPA designation or progress toward CPA (or equivalent professional accounting qualification) preferred.

The applicable base salary range for this role is $100,000 to $115,000. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as…