Junior Research Associate Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Why AAA Life

AAA Life is a respected and trusted American brand that has been focusing on Life Insurance and Annuity Products since 1969.  At AAA Life we have over 1.8 million policies where we take pride in earning the trust of our policyholders who understand our promise to be there for them - and their families - when we're needed most.  By joining the AAA Life team, you are joining a company that genuinely cares about helping each other, with a devotion to protect the lives of those around us. We embrace a diverse, equitable, inclusive culture where all associates can feel a sense of belonging and use their unique talents and perspective to influence, innovate, motivate, and thrive.

How You'll Work

Work Solution: Hybrid

What You'll Do

As a Junior Accountant, you will support daily accounting operations through the preparation, processing, analysis, and reconciliation of financial transactions impacting general ledger and subsidiary ledger accounts. This role is ideal for an early-career accounting professional who is looking to build hands-on experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, premium processing, cash management, reconciliations, and financial reporting within a collaborative team environment.

Working as part of a team of five, you will participate in a rotating hybrid schedule and contribute to both in-office and remote accounting activities. The position requires attention to detail, organization, accuracy, and a willingness to learn new systems and processes.

Position Responsibilities

• Process daily accounting transactions, including premium collections, deposits, payments, and journal entries, ensuring timely and accurate recording within accounting systems.

• Support Accounts Payable activities by reviewing invoices, verifying approvals, entering payment information, and ensuring vendor payments are processed according to established terms and procedures.

• Support Accounts Receivable activities by processing incoming payments, researching discrepancies, and maintaining accurate account records.

• Process and reconcile daily check activity, including deposits, disbursements, and supporting documentation.

• Reconcile general ledger accounts, subsidiary ledgers, bank accounts, and related accounting systems, investigating and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.

• Review accounting reports and system-generated output to identify errors, variances, or unusual activity and take appropriate corrective action.

• Assist with claim-related accounting transactions and reconciliations to ensure financial records are complete and accurate.

• Research and respond to inquiries regarding payment status, outstanding items, account activity, and reconciliation differences.

• Maintain accurate accounting records, supporting documentation, and account balances to ensure the integrity of financial information.

• Prepare recurring accounting reports, schedules, and supporting documentation for management review and audit purposes.

• Support month-end and year-end accounting activities, including account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting tasks.

• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits.

• Assist in maintaining accounting procedures, process documentation, and departmental operating guides.

• Collaborate with team members to complete daily and weekly accounting checklists, rotating responsibilities as needed to support departmental priorities and deadlines.

Basic Qualifications

• 2+ years of college-level coursework in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and accounting experience.
• 1+ years of accounting, bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or related financial operations experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications in a professional, academic, or internship setting.
• Experience preparing, reconciling, or maintaining financial records, accounting transactions, or account balances.
• Ability to perform standard business math calculations, including percentages, reconciliations, and financial calculations.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP/STAT).
• Experience researching and resolving accounting discrepancies.
• Experience supporting audits through the preparation of schedules or supporting documentation.
• Experience within the insurance, financial services, banking, or other regulated industry environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle, or feel, talk, hear, and concentrate.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements.  Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified applicants as needed to enable them to fulfill these requirements.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

AAA Life Insurance Company does not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. This includes visa types such as H-1B, TN, and STEM OPT. Please do not apply if you currently require or may require employer-sponsored immigration support now or in the future.