Associate Director - Accounting - Eden Prairie, MN - Hybrid

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

The Associate Director of Accounting provides strategic leadership and technical oversight across Fixed Assets, Lease Accounting, the Enterprise Account Reconciliations program, and H&W accounting and reporting. This role is accountable for accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting; oversight of close activities; advancement of process improvements; and development of a high performing accounting team. The Associate Director partners closely with business leaders, finance stakeholders, and external auditors to resolve complex accounting matters and drive automation and transformation initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct leadership to a team of accounting professionals (2 direct reports and 2 indirect reports), fostering accountability, engagement, and professional development 
• Establish clear expectations, prioritize workloads, and ensure delivery of high quality results aligned with close and reporting timelines 
• Serve as the escalation point for complex issues and judgment intensive accounting matters
  

Fixed Assets & Lease Accounting

• Lead consolidated fixed assets and lease accounting, ensuring accuracy and completeness of balance sheet accounts, expense recognition, roll forwards, and related disclosures 
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities for fixed assets and leases 
• Lead technical accounting analyses and policy interpretations, including non standard transactions and policy exception evaluations 
• Support opening balance sheet conformance activities related to asset accounting 
• Drive continuous process improvements and control enhancements across fixed assets and lease accounting 
• Oversee system functionality and enhancements for PeopleSoft Asset Management, including automation initiatives
  

Account Reconciliation Program

• Oversee the global account reconciliation program to ensure consistency, completeness, and compliance with policy and control standards
• Lead the Quarterly Assurance process, providing guidance, issue resolution, and escalation support
• Partner on system maintenance and automation enhancements within Blackline
  

H&W Accounting & Reporting

• Review journal entries and account reconciliations to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance
• Produce and deliver the quarterly H&W reporting package, ensuring consistency and transparency of financial results
• Lead the year-end audit in partnership with external auditors
  

Process Improvement & Special Projects

• Lead and contribute to cross functional initiatives focused on process optimization, control enhancement, and scalability
• Drive adoption of AI and automation solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, and cycle times across accounting processes
• Support ad hoc projects requiring technical accounting expertise and disciplined execution

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:  

• Accounting degree or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of professional accounting experience
• 2+ years of experience in Public Accounting
• Proven solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and financial statements
• Intermediate-level proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications: 

• CPA license
• Healthcare industry experience
• Experience with PeopleSoft General Ledger/Essbase or similar general ledger/reporting tools
• Controls and/or audit experience

Competencies:

• Work in a self-directed manner and navigate less structured, more complex issues
• Interact frequently with Directors and above across the organization in an effective and positive manner
• Manage multiple tasks and requests simultaneously and prioritize efficiently
• Develop innovative approaches to improve how work is completed
• Proven effective communicator at all levels in the organization with solid oral and written skills

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.    

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.    

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.