AVP, Controller (Chicago)
Reports To: VP, Chief Accounting Officer – Financial Operations Department: Accounting Location/Schedule: Chicago, IL/Hybrid Classification: Full-Time / Exempt Who We Are: Old Republic is a leading specialty insurer that operates diverse property & casualty and title insurance companies. Founded in 1923 and a member of the Fortune 500, we are a leader in underwriting and risk management services for business partners across the United States and Canada. Our specialized operating companies are experts in their fields, enabling us to provide tailored solutions that set us apart. Position Overview: The AVP, Controller – Financial Operations is a senior finance leader responsible for corporate accounting operations, governance, controllership, and financial reporting support. This role provides strategic leadership over the general ledger, close process, investment accounting, and accounts payable while driving finance transformation, process optimization, and control effectiveness across the organization and its operating companies. The AVP serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on accounting matters, complex transactions, and emerging regulatory developments. Essential Job Functions: Lead controllership for corporate entities, overseeing multi-entity accounting operations, financial controls, governance, and reporting. Advise executive leadership on accounting, reporting, governance, financial operations, complex transactions, acquisitions, capital initiatives, strategic projects, and emerging regulations. Maintain clear communication with the VP, Chief Accounting Officer – Financial Operations. Partner with Treasury, Tax, FP&A, Legal, Investments, Internal Audit, and operating company finance leaders to align financial and regulatory matters. Ensure corporate entity accounting, reporting, policies, and procedures comply with applicable standards, regulations, and corporate requirements. Own group and corporate accounting, including consolidation, intercompany transactions, cash flow, debt, foreign exchange, and guidance on complex accounting issues. Oversee the general ledger and quarterly close; coordinate schedules and reporting with corporate departments and subsidiaries. Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and related activities for accuracy and compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements. Manage corporate accounts payable and lead investment accounting in coordination with investment management. Provide technical accounting and financial analysis for investment advisory, capital modeling, and equity compensation. Lead annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting, delivering variance analysis and reporting to support executive decisions and strategic planning. Own rating agency reporting, including submissions, presentations, analysis, inquiry responses, and assessment of strategic impacts on credit ratings. Maintain governance, internal controls, and SOX procedures across corporate accounting, policies, controls, and financial reporting. Support SEC, GAAP, and statutory reporting and collaborate on accounting, process, and control improvement initiatives. Coordinate internal and external audits and resolve GAAP and statutory audit issues across corporate and operating company entities. Monitor accounting standards, regulations, and industry developments to maintain compliance. Develop and sustain general ledger and reporting processes while advancing finance transformation. Champion automation, process redesign, ERP enhancements, reporting transformation, data governance, technology, and analytics to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability. Collaborate with Data & Analytics and other teams on strategic projects, reporting transformation, and modernization of corporate accounting processes. Lead and develop the Corporate Accounting organization through performance management, succession planning, workforce development, and talent retention. Foster accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required, MBA is a plus. 12 years of progressive accounting and financial reporting experience, including leadership responsibility. CPA designation or foreign equivalent required, public accounting and/or Big Four experience preferred. Insurance industry experience strongly preferred. Experience with SEC reporting and public company environments preferred. Strong working knowledge of GAAP and statutory accounting principles and experience in resolving and documenting technical matters. Demonstrated ability to lead through change, drive transformation initiatives, and adapt effectively within a dynamic business environment. Demonstrated executive presence with the ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior management, boards, regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated experience analyzing and providing accounting guidance on complex transactions, including acquisitions, capital initiatives, investment transactions, financing arrangements, and other significant non-routine business activities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), including the ability to explain complicated technical accounting and reporting matters to non subject matter experts. Ability to drive projects to successful completion in a decentralized environment, often managing multiple projects under tight time constraints. Exceptional analytical, project management, and organizational skills and attention to detail. ORI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ORI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
