Controller / Bookkeeper

Company: Insurance Service Company Location: San Francisco Bay Area — remote/work-from-home, but candidate must reside near Daly City / San Francisco

Employment Type: Full-Time.

Position Summary

The Controller/Bookkeeper will oversee the company's core financial functions — including premium accounting, commission remittance, payroll, and bill management — while also handling internal HR administration (employee benefits), co. insurances and communicate with our state third-party insurance licensing vendor. This is a remote position; however, the candidate must be based in or near Daly City/San Francisco to allow for occasional in-person coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Premium Accounting (Daily)

• Perform daily premium accounting functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing
• Facilitate premium and commission disbursements. Reconcile premium accounts, carrier statements, and commission reports
• Track and resolve discrepancies in premium and commission payments, produce financial documents as requested/needed.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Manage day-to-day bookkeeping using [QuickBooks / Quicken accounting software]
• Process and pay internal company bills and vendor invoices
• Maintain the general ledger, reconcile bank and credit card accounts
• Prepare monthly/quarterly financial statements and reports for management
• Assist with budgeting, cash flow monitoring, and year-end close
• Coordinate with outside CPA/tax preparer, carrier and TPA audits as needed.

Payroll

• Process payroll for W-2 employees and payments for 1099 contractors through our 3rd party vendor Paychex.
• Ensure accurate and timely tax withholdings, filings, and payments
• Maintain payroll records and respond to employee payroll inquiries

Human Resources Administration

• Administer internal employee benefits, including health, dental, and retirement plans
• Maintain HR files, and manage internal insurances (i.e. E&O, Cyber Insurance). Ensure compliance with applicable regulations

Licensing Coordination

• Manage producer/agency licensing requirements in coordination with the company's third-party licensing vendor
• Ensure timely submission of licensing paperwork and compliance documentation

Qualifications

• 5+ years of bookkeeping/accounting experience; insurance industry experience strongly preferred (premium accounting, commission processing)
• Experience processing payroll for both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
• Familiarity with employee benefits administration (health, dental, retirement/401(k))
• Working knowledge of insurance licensing processes a plus
• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks) and Microsoft Excel
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining regular communication
• Must reside in or near Daly City/San Francisco, CA and be highly trustworthy.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience at an independent insurance agency, MGA, or wholesaler
• Experience working with insurance carrier and broker commission statements

Work Environment

• Remote/work-from-home position
• Must be located in the San Francisco Bay Area, near Daly City/San Francisco, for occasional in-person meetings or document handling
• Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Benefits

• Health/dental/retirement, PTO