Jim Benson

Jim Benson is Senior Vice President, Enterprise Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer of Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company. He has Controllership responsibility over Nationwide’s Property & Casualty, Financial Services, and Investments areas. He is also responsible for the Enterprise Financial Reporting functions, the Finance Shared Services Center, Accounting Policy, and maintaining Nationwide’s Financial Reporting Controls program.

Jim has more than 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, including working with broker-dealer, banking, and investment companies. His previous positions with Nationwide have included Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer of the Nationwide Financial Network, and Vice President and Controller of Nationwide Financial Services (formerly listed on NYSE: NFS). During this time, his responsibilities have included the design, documentation and implementation of Nationwide’s reporting oversight policies and controls. He led the Life and Annuity reporting functions and all facets of Controllership, including external SEC, GAAP, and statutory reporting. He was also responsible for all finance and actuarial functions for the Nationwide Financial Network, including product pricing, distribution compensation, and driving profitable growth. Jim's strong focus on talent and talent development has consistently resulted in top-tier engagement results achieved by his Controllership associates, as independently surveyed by Gallup. He is an active board member of several of Nationwide’s insurance, broker-dealer, and investment companies.

Jim began his career as a Senior Audit Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the MidAtlantic Financial Services sector. He also gained extensive experience while holding various finance leadership roles in several other insurance and financial services companies in such roles as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Corporate Relations, where he designed and implemented projects and programs to enhance competitive positioning and strategic direction.  

Jim serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Investment Board, Ohio’s $15 billion tax-advantaged college tuition savings program. He also serves on the Board, Executive Committee and Audit Committee of Junior Achievement of Central Ohio.

Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He is an active member of the AICPA, PICPA, OSCPA, and also holds a CGMA designation.