Arthur C. Schneider

Arthur Schneider was a Certified Public Accountant and nationally recognized authority on insurance company taxation whose career influenced the insurance industry in Iowa and across the country. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Accountancy from DePaul University, and a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University. He became a CPA in 1976 and received the Elijah Watt Sells certificate for earning one of the highest CPA exam scores in Illinois.

Schneider spent the first 24 years of his career with KPMG, where he focused on the complex specialty of insurance company taxation. He became a partner after 10 years and later managed the Insurance Tax group in KPMG’s Washington National Tax office. In that role, he oversaw technical and quality control matters for the firm’s nationwide insurance tax practice and became widely recognized as a leader on insurance tax issues.

In 2000, Schneider joined Transamerica in Cedar Rapids as Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer. His work at Transamerica created a strong Iowa connection and placed him at the center of tax strategy and policy for one of the nation’s leading insurance organizations. He became a trusted resource for insurance executives, tax professionals, actuaries, policymakers, and regulators because of his technical expertise, fairness, and ability to explain complex issues clearly.

Schneider’s influence extended through his work with the American Council of Life Insurers, where he helped shape industry positions on important tax and regulatory matters. He was involved in national discussions affecting insurance taxation, including issues arising during consideration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. After retiring from Transamerica, he continued contributing to the industry as a consultant to the American Council of Life Insurers until health challenges forced his retirement in early 2023.

A frequent speaker, writer, and editor, Schneider contributed to major insurance tax conferences and professional publications. During his career, he wrote or coauthored numerous articles, edited KPMG’s Federal Taxation of Insurance Companies treatise, and served as a long-time editor of Taxing Times, a Society of Actuaries publication. His commitment to accuracy, clarity, and principled analysis earned him broad respect across the profession.

Schneider was also known as a mentor and role model who valued curiosity, collaboration, and professional excellence. He encouraged others to ask why, understand the reasoning behind decisions, and continually look for better ways to serve their organizations and the industry. His induction into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame honors his Iowa-based leadership at Transamerica, his high ethical standards, and his enduring impact on insurance professionals nationwide.