Jared, Accounting Operations Manager at Liability Insurance Provider: Advize Career Interview
A career in accounting operations management offers a dynamic blend of routine tasks and challenging projects. This professional's journey began unexpectedly, fueled by a knack for numbers discovered while managing retail businesses.
A strong undergraduate foundation, complemented by diverse roles in tech, medical devices, and food manufacturing, led to a current position at a liability insurance provider.
The work involves meticulous attention to detail, strong time management, and integrity. A typical day includes prioritizing tasks, collaborating effectively, and addressing frequent ad hoc requests.
The most rewarding aspects are using data to drive company success, solving complex problems, and transforming raw data into impactful reports.
While demanding deadlines present a challenge, the ability to learn and adapt, coupled with mentorship, has fostered resilience. Entry-level positions in accounts payable or receivable, or internships, provide valuable experience.
A crucial lesson learned is the importance of honesty, following intuition, and proactively considering potential audit implications.
This professional's journey demonstrates that resilience, a strong work ethic, and a detail-oriented approach can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career in accounting operations management.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Jared Dodson
Accounting Operations Manager
Liability Insurance Provider
Missouri Southern State University
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Accounting
Insurance
Finance
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an Accounting Operations Manager at a Liability Insurance Provider
Jared's career path began unexpectedly with "a knack for accounting" discovered while managing retail businesses, leading to a later undergraduate degree and active involvement in the accounting club. This strong foundation, combined with diverse roles at a tech startup ("I was promoted to an accounting supervisor...then director of finance"), a medical device manufacturer, and a large food manufacturer, culminated in their current position as Accounting Operations Manager at a liability insurance provider, where they are mastering "a completely different world of accounting".
Responsibilities of an Accounting Operations Manager at a Liability Insurance Provider
Jared's role as Accounting Operations Manager involves a balance of routine tasks like "accounts payable, accounts receivable, and account reconciliations," comprising about half of their time. The other half is dedicated to more engaging projects, including "ad hoc reporting" and process improvement initiatives, which allow for impactful contributions to company decisions and provide a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
A Day In The Life Of An Accounting Operations Manager At A Liability Insurer
A day for this accounting operations manager involves a crucial "planning session" to prioritize tasks based on deadlines and stakeholder impact, mastering "time management and balancing that time" to juggle self-sufficient work with collaborative communication while also adapting to the frequent "ad hoc tasks" that demand flexibility.
Most Important Skills For An Accounting Operations Manager At A Liability Insurer
Jared, an Accounting Operations Manager, emphasizes that meticulous attention to detail is paramount, stating "you really have to go through and double and triple check your work," to avoid jeopardizing past calculations. Equally crucial are integrity and effective time management, as rushing compromises the quality of work and risks missed deadlines; "you gotta pump the brakes if you're not certain," he advises.
Favorite Parts of Being an Accounting Operations Manager at a Liability Insurer
Jared enjoys using data and numbers to help the company "meet or surpass its goals," finding satisfaction in solving complex problems and seeing the impact of his work reflected in reports and data. The ability to quickly add value to any organization by "learning their systems and reporting processes" and offering immediate insights is also a key source of professional fulfillment.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Accounting Operations Manager At A Liability Insurance Company
Jared, an Accounting Operations Manager, cites "rigorous, demanding, and unforgiving" deadlines as the biggest challenge in the role, highlighting that missed deadlines prevent business operations. However, most issues are "fixable," stemming from unforeseen circumstances or inadequate prior work by team members, impacting month-end processes.
Favorite Parts of Working in Insurance as an Accounting Operations Manager
Jared, an Accounting Operations Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of his career in liability insurance to be "working with the data" and using this data to reveal trends that inform management decisions; he enjoys transforming spreadsheets into "nice and pretty" reports and presentations that effectively communicate these insights.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Insurance Industry, According To An Accounting Operations Manager At A Liability Insurance Provider
Success in the liability insurance industry requires a detail-oriented individual with a passion for "working with numbers or other data," and the ability to manage a demanding schedule while collaborating effectively across the organization because this is "not just a loaner job".
What An Accounting Manager At An Insurance Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Insurance Industry
Jared, an Accounting Operations Manager, learned that making mistakes is inevitable, stating that "some were gonna be brutally painful," but emphasizing that "they would all be fixable" and valuable learning experiences. This realization, coupled with mentorship, helped Jared overcome initial anxieties about errors in the field of financial reporting.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Accountants
Jared, an Accounting Operations Manager, recommends entry-level roles like part-time accounting assistant positions in AP or AR to gain "specialized experience," potentially leading to promotions into staff accounting. Internships in corporate or government settings are also highlighted as valuable for building resume experience and securing full-time positions.
Significant Career Lesson From An Accounting Operations Manager At A Liability Insurance Provider
Jared's most significant career lesson, working as an Accounting Operations Manager, is "being honest and following your instincts," seeking help when unsure, and proactively considering "what would an auditor say?" to prevent future problems; this approach ensures accountability and promotes a strong professional foundation.
How College Helped an Accounting Operations Manager at a Liability Insurer Succeed
Jared, a non-traditional accounting student juggling a full-time job and family, thrived under immense pressure, describing the experience as "literally nearly kill[ing] me," but ultimately building resilience and a strong work ethic. This intense undergrad experience translated into current workplace success where "eight hours, please. Um, piece of cake" now reflects their capabilities.
Advizer Personal Links