Consolidation Accounting Manager

As a Consolidation Accounting Manager at MassMutual, your primary responsibilities will entail overseeing the consolidation accounting for non-insurance subsidiaries, ensuring accurate debt balances, managing capital activity, and performing intercompany eliminations. You will also coordinate with various teams such as Investments and Subsidiary Controllership to guarantee timely and precise completion of financial close deliverables.

To qualify for the Consolidation Accounting Manager role at MassMutual, candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, paired with a minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience in a public accounting or large corporate environment. Ideal candidates often have a CPA designation, strong analytical skills, and a willingness to continuously learn new technologies.

In the role of Consolidation Accounting Manager at MassMutual, you will work closely with various teams including Financial Close, External Reporting, and Subsidiary Controllership. This collaboration will involve supporting the integration of new subsidiaries, participating in management actions, and coordinating with accounting teams to manage the posting of trial balances to SAP ledgers.

Essential skills for success as a Consolidation Accounting Manager at MassMutual include strong analytical and technical capabilities, proficiency in Microsoft Office and Business Intelligence tools, and excellent problem-solving skills. Additionally, candidates should have a results-oriented mindset, multi-tasking abilities, and a commitment to quality and customer focus to excel in a dynamic environment.

MassMutual values the professional growth of its Consolidation Accounting Managers by providing mentoring opportunities, networking through diverse Business Resource Groups, and continuous access to learning content. Regular meetings with the Corporate Finance team and focused one-on-ones with managers foster a supportive environment for skill enhancement and career advancement.

When asked about your experience with consolidation accounting, focus on specific tasks and responsibilities you've handled in previous roles. Provide examples of how you managed intercompany eliminations or worked with multiple subsidiaries. Highlight your ability to ensure accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting.

Describe your time management strategies and how you prioritize tasks during tight deadlines. It's vital to illustrate your ability to handle competing priorities while maintaining accuracy in your work. Mention any tools or methodologies (like Lean Six Sigma) you use to stay organized and efficient.

Discuss key controls such as accuracy in data entry, regular reconciliation processes, and thorough documentation of procedures. Showcase examples of how you've implemented or enhanced these controls in your previous roles to ensure compliance and mitigate risks within the financial close process.

Emphasize the importance of clear communication and establishing relationships with stakeholders from various teams. Provide examples of successful collaborations in past projects, highlighting how you facilitated the integration of diverse viewpoints to achieve a common goal, particularly in consolidation accounting.

Mention specific accounting or Business Intelligence tools you've used, such as SAP, Power BI, or Alteryx. Discuss how these tools helped optimize your workflow and improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting processes. If you have a willingness to learn new technologies, bring that up too.

Provide a detailed account of a specific challenge you faced, the steps you took to address it, and the outcome. This could involve resolving discrepancies in intercompany balances or improving consolidation processes. Be sure to showcase your problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.

Explain your methods for verifying data integrity, such as performing regular reconciliations, double-checking calculations, and implementing reviewer sign-offs. Highlight how you collaborate with other accounting teams to ensure alignment and accuracy across financial reports.

Discuss your experience in identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategic changes in accounting practices. Mention any specific initiatives you've led or participated in, like adopting new technologies or refining existing workflows to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Talk about your approach to overseeing offshore teams, including communication strategies and performance tracking methods. Highlight any successes you've had in creating a cohesive work environment, despite geographical differences, and ensure tasks are completed effectively.

Share your passion for accounting and what excites you about consolidation accounting specifically. Whether it's the complexity of the role, the opportunity for collaboration, or the impact of your work on the overall financial health of the company, ensure your enthusiasm resonates in your answer.