Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for ten consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

Responsible for managing revenue recognition, operations, and accounting activities for a large department in accordance with the organization’s accounting policies and procedures. Influences the development and implementation of strategic goals and ensures employee conformance to established practices and proper training of staff. Direct and monitor a variety of accounting activities to ensure the organization’s financial resources are managed in accordance with accounting principles and comply with all relevant regulations, laws, and standards. Activities may include accounts receivable and payable; general ledger maintenance; financial analysis and reporting; budgeting, revenue, and asset accounting. Review financial reports and accounting statements to ensure their accuracy. Provide technical expertise and advice to functional or operational areas managers to help them develop revenue and expense budgets, understand financial reports, and manage their financial responsibilities. Select and manage ongoing relationships with external consultants and advisors (e.g., accounting firms) to ensure the organization receives satisfactory standards of service. Lead, direct, evaluate, and develop a team of accounting professionals to ensure accounting activities are completed accurately and on time.

Essential Functions

• Support general accounting needs of a large entity.

• Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with company policies.

• Establish and monitor the implementation and maintenance of accounting controls and procedures.

• Manage accounting systems and procedures; recommend and implement improvements.

• Maintain financial security by ensuring that staff adheres to internal controls; primary point of contact for audits.

• Participate in the design and implementation of systems and processes to ensure compliance with all governing bodies.

• Establishes operational objectives, processes, procedures and priorities for a department selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

• Manage more senior level exempt specialists and/or subordinate supervisors and managers. Has significant responsibility for developing the capabilities of senior level direct reports.

• Present projects for management approval; approves overall solutions, designs and cost estimates for projects. Monitor project status to assure adherence to cost, quality and schedule.

• Write and conduct employee performance reviews and provides ongoing performance feedback through coaching. 

• Approve hiring and compensation decisions.

• Facilitate work and problem resolution between work groups. 

• May lead cross functional/inter-departmental projects and/or process improvement efforts.

• Develop long-range departmental planning and provide input to strategic planning. Involved in developing, modifying and executing policies, processes that impact business unit, and may have company-wide effect.

• Implement strategic policies by leveraging best practice frameworks, methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

Job Complexities

• Works on complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors.

• Exercises considerable judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

• On a regular basis, initiates corrective action needed to resolve complex, critical issues.

• Erroneous decisions may result in critical delay(s) in schedules and/or department operations.

Supervision Received or Extended

• Provides direct management of a large department.

• Provides general supervision to first level management and exempt professionals.

• Influences Senior/Executive Management on decisions related to departmental and functional priorities, schedules, plans and cost controls.

• Provides direction to employees within the boundaries of established policies.

• Utilizes a broad internal and external network of professional contacts and resources to explore new approaches for solving problems and enhancing the department’s capabilities.

• Work is periodically reviewed by department and functional Senior Management to evaluate success of operations, quality, schedules and budgets.

Impact

• Interacts with Executive Management to resolve critical issues relating to project and/or operational requirements.

• Accountable to Executive Management to ensure appropriate use of financial resources.

• May be measured on department margins and revenue or on department expenses.

Knowledge and Skills/Technology Used

• Deep subject matter expertise.

• Analytical, project management and problem solving skills.

• Ability to understand and apply GAAP and SOX.

• Successful track record designing, developing, and executing critical complex projects in more than one area of functional expertise.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at the Senior Management level across functional groups and business units. 

• Adeptness to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance from, others in sensitive situations, using influence and preventing damage to the relationships.

• Strong capacity to communicate the function’s vision and the department’s direction and set aligned goals. Provides resources and creates systems to measure results. Has a good understanding of competitor, financial and industry dynamics.

• Actively recruits, retains and develops talent and holds employees accountable for results. Leads change, manages conflict and fosters collaboration.

• Drives and models customer loyalty, manages customer expectations, solicits customer feedback and ensures commitments are met.

• Provides others with reliable information and delivers informative and persuasive presentations. 

• Uses good listening skills and negotiates effectively.

• Collaboratively engages with leaders to create, identify and implement solutions to further effectiveness of the business.

• High level of business acumen, strategic agility, ability to develop others, and influence change.

Typical Education

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred.

Typical Range of Experience

• 7-10 years of directly related experience.

• 5+ years demonstrated experience in a management role.

• Demonstrated success establishing, leading and maintaining effective working relationships at the Senior Management level.

License or Certification

• CPA preferred.

The pay range for this role is $86,675.00 - $115,550.00

 
This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting.  Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours and/or responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

What We Offer

By choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First Culture celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion not simply because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.