How to hire an account underwriter

How to hire an account underwriter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step account underwriter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an account underwriter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new account underwriter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an account underwriter, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an account underwriter to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an account underwriter that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of account underwriters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Account Underwriter	Description	Hourly rate
   Account Underwriter	Insurance underwriters decide whether to provide insurance and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.	$23-53
   Insurance Analyst	An insurance analyst provides analytical services to maintain an efficient workflow at insurance companies. They are typically in charge of evaluating insurance policies to identify possible risks for the policyholder and the company, validating client information, and reviewing insurance applications to ensure their accuracy... Show more	$16-42
   Underwriting Consultant	An underwriting consultant is a professional who provides underwriting guidelines to underwriters as well as coordinates revision of the underwriting manual. Underwriting consultants are required to handle complex cases and situations by using their strong knowledge of company services, product standards, and underwriting policies... Show more	$23-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Risk Management
   • Underwriting Process
   • Underwriting Guidelines
   • Underwriting Authority
   • Financial Analysis
   • National Accounts
   • Financial Statements
   • Loss Ratio
   • Risk Selection
   • Underwriting Policies
   • Account Executives
   • Assess Risk
   • Credit Decisions
   • CPCU

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.
   • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your account underwriter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An account underwriter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, account underwriters' average salary in hawaii is 45% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level account underwriters 56% less than senior-level account underwriters.
   • Certifications. An account underwriter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an account underwriter's salary.

   Average account underwriter salary

   $74,374yearly

   $35.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level account underwriter salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an account underwriter job description

   An account underwriter job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an account underwriter job description:

   Account underwriter job description example

   You are a driven and motivated problem solver ready to pursue meaningful work. You strive to make an impact every day & not only at work, but in your personal life and community too. If that sounds like you, then you've landed in the right place.
   
   We're in the business of helping people achieve amazing things by protecting the things that matter most. And you can help us when you join our team of underwriters. They're at the center of everything we do - and by joining us, you'll be on a team known throughout the industry for providing our customers with just the right amount of coverage they need to pursue their unique interests.Your underwriting career here means collaboration, inclusivity, innovative thinking and so much more.
   
   Here, doing things the way they've always been done isn't a part of the job. Here, you'll be putting your creative insights to work with other underwriters and leaders, having a seat at the table with key decision makers. And you'll have any number of opportunities for your career to grow in whatever direction you choose.
   
   We'll Be a Good Match if You Have:• A customer-first mindset, putting our customers at the center of everything you do.• A passion for making decisions through both analyzing h data and employing critical thinking skills.• A team spirit and desire to work collaboratively.• A financial mindset to help make the best decisions.• Ability to own our work and following through on commitments.• Ability to decipher and execute within a fluid and changing business environment.• An understanding of how to build relationships and trust among diverse groups.• The ability to advance their careers into technical OR leadership positions.Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree strongly preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience• 1-3 years of Group Benefits underwriting experience• Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining solid relationships with all internal and external business partners• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills• An ability to think analytically about business problems, make recommendations and propose solutions• High energy self-starter, who is resilient and has an entrepreneurial spirit• Demonstration of solid time, organizational, and desk management skills• Goal-oriented and delivers outcomes• Ability to challenge the status quo and compete to win• Superior technical knowledge and sound decision-making and analytical skills
   Compensation
   The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:
   
   $55,920 - $83,880
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age
   
   About Us | Culture & Employee Insights | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Benefits
   
   Underwriter RA - UO08LE
   ---
   
   Skills:

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right account underwriter for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your account underwriter job on Zippia to find and attract quality account underwriter candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting account underwriters requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new account underwriter

   Once you've selected the best account underwriter candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new account underwriter first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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