Continental Western Group (a Berkley Company) Looking for VP, Chief Financial Officer at Urbandale, IA Full Time

As our Chief Financial Officer, you’ll provide strategic financial direction and leadership to two distinct operating units: Continental Western and Berkley Agribusiness. We will trust you to be a true partner to both OU Presidents and the executives to help them reach their respective business goals. You’ll also lead and manage a team of finance staff across Controllership, FP&A, Billing and Reinsurance functions while also liaising closely with the parent company, WRBC.

You’ll be a key member of the senior leadership team responsible for participating in the development and execution of CWG and Berkley Ag’s overall strategic plan. You will influence business decisions by providing insights for both risks and opportunities. Our environment is highly entrepreneurial and we pride ourselves on being nimble which enables you to make a real impact on the business. You’ll have the benefit of a supportive colleague network of other Berkley CFOs to leverage for efforts like studying long-range economic trends and projecting their impact on future growth in sales and market share.

Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 – Strong, Local and Trusted.

Berkley Agribusiness works with ambitious agribusiness and food industry clients to help them own their futures. Our culture is built on the belief that everyone has the power to create the future they deserve. Every Berkley Agribusiness team member must have the courage to challenge the status quo, collaboratively working with our clients to find creative property and casualty insurance solutions that drive them to succeed. We depend on our ability to listen to our clients — and our experience to help them make fact-based decisions that help their businesses thrive.

Both CWG and Berkley Agribusiness have been “Rated Best Places to Work” by Business Insurance. As Berkley companies, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions. W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong). The company is an equal opportunity employer.

What You Can Expect

• Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Influence senior leaders on key business decisions
• Opportunity to impact change and operational excellence
• Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education

Responsibilities

We’ll count on you to:

• Man age the monthly , quarterly and annual financial statement process for both GA AP and Stat utory compliance
• Review and analyze data making comparisons to forecasts and prior – year results
• Direct the annual operational planning and financial budget ing process
• Review control descriptions and related test work for Sar ban es – Ox ley 404 compliance; e n s ure corrective action is taken to address de ficiencies
• Collaborate with W RBC and other corporate affiliates to create and maintain evolving shared financial systems
• Oversee management of multiple cash functions and ensuring proper safeguards to protect assets

Qualifications

What you need to have:

• Bachelors degree with emphasis in Accounting and/or Finance
• 15 years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Insurance industry experience
• Strategic planning experience
• Excellent problem solving skills at both a strategic and functional level
• Led teams and achieved results through others
• Strong customer orientation with excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to travel on an occasional basis

What Makes You Stand Out

• Completion of or working toward CPA or MBA
• Ability to attract, coach and develop talent
• Organize and manage multiple priorities
• Regularly and consistently demonstrates commitment to company values and guiding principles

Additional Company Details

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms.

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role