Her Story
About Jill
Jill Kearney, CPA, is a seasoned accounting and finance executive with more than 24 years of experience specializing in insurance, automotive finance, and vehicle service contract industries. She currently serves as Senior Director of Accounting/Controller at GSFSGroup, where she leads financial operations, regulatory compliance, financial reporting, audits, tax functions, and process improvement initiatives. With deep expertise in statutory accounting and financial oversight, Jill has built a career centered on strengthening financial controls, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring organizations meet complex regulatory requirements.
Throughout her career, Jill has held key leadership roles in accounting and financial management, including Corporate Controller at Imperial PFS and Controller for MPP Company/Old United Casualty Co. and related Berkshire Hathaway Automotive service contract companies. Her experience includes managing GAAP and statutory reporting, insurance regulatory examinations, banking relationships, investments, cash planning, and financial audits. She also gained valuable regulatory experience earlier in her career as a Financial Analyst with the Kansas Insurance Department, where she reviewed insurance company financials, mergers and acquisitions, investment compliance, and solvency requirements.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Jill earned her Master of Accountancy from the University of Kansas - Graduate School of Business and has a strong foundation in finance and accounting principles. She attributes her success to surrounding herself with knowledgeable professionals, continuously asking questions, and seeking root-cause understanding rather than simply accepting traditional processes. Known for her curiosity, integrity, and commitment to developing others, Jill believes in empowering teams, embracing opportunities, and applying thoughtful leadership to drive meaningful business results.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jill
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have always surrounded myself with incredibly knowledgeable people and asked a lot of questions. I'm not one that just takes the because that's how we've always done it as gospel. Taking that root cause understanding and moving it forward in a meaningful manner has been something that has really stood out.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Mr. Vantel always had a motto of people, people, people. If you take care of your people, they will take care of your processes, they will take care of your business. He very much encouraged an entrepreneurial style of attacking your job.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a fascinating industry built on the backs of entrepreneurs. Get involved in anything you can. Don't get into the thought process of oh well that's not really my responsibility. When given an opportunity especially if it's something outside of the norm for your job, don't turn it down.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
How we buy a car is shifting rapidly with more online purchases. Opportunity to think through more thorough methods to sell contracts online. Technological advancements with opportunity around utilizing AI to make things better from a technological standpoint and processes, but with guardrails and internal controls.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and natural curiosity. I must have integrity on my team especially being involved with internal controls. Natural curiosity can take you pretty darn far.
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