AVP - Internal Controls

Description 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. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 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. Job Specifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related field preferred. Certifications/Designations: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred. Experience: 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. Knowledge, skills & abilities: 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 present complex information to all levels of the organization. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and collaborative skills to influence change without direct authority. Pay Transparency Statement: UFG Insurance is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 annually, which represents the typical range for new hires in this role. Individual pay within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, internal equity, geography and market data. In addition to base salary, UFG Insurance offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes: Annual incentive compensation Medical, dental, vision & life insurance Accident, critical Illness & short-term disability insurance Retirement plans with employer contributions Generous time-off program Programs designed to support the employee well-being and financial security. This pay range disclosure is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws.