Financial Accountant

This role will take proactive ownership of all of the various accounting and reporting processes for a key business unit. It will involve understanding and analysing the drivers of performance, working alongside various business stakeholders to provide insight into the variances.

Client Details

My client are one of the leading and most highly reputable national insurance businesses in Europe.

Description

• To take proactive ownership of all of the various accounting and reporting processes for a key business unit.
• Understanding and analysing the drivers of performance on a monthly basis coordinating with other members of Finance and other areas of the business to explain variances
• Preparing monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts ensuring that any outstanding items are investigated and cleared as appropriate efficiently
• Leading and assisting on various projects (across various areas of the management accounts) to improve controls and challenge existing processes to ensure the accuracy of stated results and speed in which they can be delivered
• Providing professional and analytical support to the Finance Reporting and the wider Finance team
• Leading the preparation of the year-end financial accounts and related schedules for assigned companies additionally providing support to ensure a clean year-end audit
• Preparing and submitting of the quarterly and annual Solvency II templates and relevant regulatory financial information
• Developing effective relationships with other areas of the business and with external specialists
• Preparing and maintaining accounting and financial reporting process documentation

Profile

• Recently qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA or CIMA)
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to proactively identify and suggest new approaches that promote a simplified and improved approach to how we work
• Ability to analyse significant amounts of data, identifying the root causes of issues, and drawing appropriate conclusions
• Delivery focused with excellent attention to detail and a strong drive to resolve issues
• A controls mind-set looking to ensure that a robust control environment is maintained
• Strong Excel skills (e.g. v-lookups, pivot tables, reports etc.)
• Educated to degree standard or equivalent (preferably with a Maths or Finance related lead discipline)
• Experience of working in a Finance environment in a highly regulated industry, preferably Financial Services/Insurance, would be advantageous but not essential

• Self-driven, can work autonomously with integrity and a proven work ethic
• Desire to challenge and improve processes and not follow the status quo
• Team player who enjoys working inclusively with people from different backgrounds and disciplines
• Proactive professional in planning to achieve targets and objectives
• Hard working and flexible, able to work under pressure and sometimes with challenging timescales
• Establishes and maintains constructive and collaborative relationships with all business areas
• Displays a high level of accuracy and strong attention to detail
• Strong communication skills, comfortable liaising with staff and management at all levels

Job Offer

• £40,000 - £45,000
• A range of flexible working options, including working from home

ALL GRADES

• 25 days annual leave
• 4 times salary Group Life Assurance
• 5% minimum employer pension contribution to maximum of 9% (employee required to contribute minimum 1.5%)
• 1 x eye care voucher per year
• 1 x flu vaccination per year
• Access to discounted retail vouchers and gym memberships