Director, Accounting

Branch is on a mission to make insurance more accessible, so more people can be covered. We innovate using data, tech, and automation to simplify insurance from start to finish—we eliminated inaccurate quotes in favor of real prices, created a better way to bundle, and cut unnecessary costs in the traditional insurance process. Then we pass those savings along to our members. Basically, we’re doing insurance the way it was meant to be.

But we didn’t just create the insurance we’ve always wanted, we also created the company we’ve always wanted to work for. As we redefine insurance, we also want to redefine what it means to work in insurance. Find out for yourself.

Branch has a preference for candidates in Ohio, but is open to candidates located in AL, AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS. MO, NE, NV, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Branch is remote first, with most Branchers choosing to work from home. Our headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio, where we come together from time to time to build relationships and connect with each other in real life. We also have office space in Columbia and Concordia, Missouri as well as Forreston, Illinois. Once a year, the entire company gathers for “BranchFest”, a highlight of the year for many Branchers.


About the role

With a strong commitment to innovation and excellence, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Accounting to lead our accounting department and ensure financial accuracy and compliance. As the Director of Accounting at Branch you will play a pivotal role in overseeing all accounting functions, driving financial excellence, and ensuring compliance within insurance industry regulations. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will manage a team of four direct reports and collaborate with various departments to maintain the financial health of our organization.

The role will be primarily focused on supporting the system operations and design for Branch’s GAAP and Statutory accounting, facilitating audits, and supporting the development of automated processes within the department. The person filling this role will wear many hats and need to roll up their sleeves to be strategic while performing hands-on tasks. This is an opportunity to shape a function within a rapidly growing company, learn a broad range of skills rapidly, and immersively, and make an impact in a huge market.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, general ledger entries, bank reconciliation, credit card expense report reconciliation, cash applications, collections, and payroll.

• Lead the development and publishing of Branch financial reports, and subsidiary entities including GAAP reporting, Statutory reporting, and Investor Reporting.

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the executive team, aligning financial objectives with business strategy.

• Identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement.

• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure efficient and accurate financial operations.

• Prepare and present timely and accurate financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and other financial performance metrics to regulators, dept of insurance, BOD, investors, and executive team.

• Main point of contact for accounting vendors including: statutory accountants, external bookkeeping services, external tax accountants, and financial statement auditors.

• Develop and oversee cross-departmental relationships to provide excellent support to the entire business as Branch continues to experience fast-paced growth.

• Continuously evaluate and enhance accounting processes and systems to improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

• Oversee a growing team of analysts and managers who manage accounting and finance operations within bookkeeping, controllership, AP/AR processing, expense processing and financial reporting.

• Implement best practices and automation where applicable.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

[Please reference career phasing portal for skills, knowledge, and expertise. If changes are needed please consult with your HRBP to adjust framework skills.]

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. CPA required.

• 5-8 years in accounting leadership roles within the P & C insurance industry required.

• Proficiency in financial software, Netsuite, and ERP systems required.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial regulations, and compliance standards.

• Comfortable operating in a startup environment with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate financial insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Detail-oriented mindset, with a commitment to accuracy and precision in financial analysis and reporting.
  
  Why join us at Branch?

  We’re all about getting back to getting each other’s back - that means Branchers, too. So we provide benefits that let you work and live to your fullest.

  • Above-market salary - Branch is a data-driven company, so we do the math on salaries, too. If you get an offer from Branch, you can expect compensation that hits above the mark.

  • Pay equity and transparency - Our pay isn’t just market-driven, it’s equitable. We let experience and performance drive your success, never your gender, race, orientation, or beliefs.

  • Remote-first (with perks) - Work from where you’re most comfortable. We’ll take care of your work from home set-up and monthly internet. We also have a Columbus headquarters if you’d like to join us in an office.

  • Flexible YouTime - We don’t just let you control your own time off. We actually encourage you to use it. After your first year at Branch, we’ll give you $1000 toward your next vacation.

  • Employee stock options - You’re not just an employee. If you’re full-time, you’re also a part-owner. You’ll have stock options so you can invest in the company you’re helping to grow.

  • Medical, vision, dental - Get all the coverage you need for a healthy, happy life.

  • 401k and contribution matching - Invest in your future. Branch helps you get to retirement on time with a portion of your contributions matched each month.

  What to expect

  In light of recent hiring scams across the United States, here’s what the process will look like with Branch (so you know it’s us):

  • Please apply to open positions directly through our site. If you don’t see it here, then it shouldn’t exist on another job board. If you’re ever unsure about the legitimacy of a Branch job posting found on another site, please check the listings here to verify.

  • If you're selected to move onto the next phase of the hiring process, a member of our Branch talent team will reach out to you directly from the email domain @ourbranch.com to guide you through our process.

  • The process will include a number of interviews, which will all happen either over the phone or on video calls.

  • We will never ask for personal payment or require you to purchase equipment during our interview process. Always be sure to protect your personal information.

  Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

  At Branch, we are deeply committed to community. Branch is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants and/or employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to the individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.