Purpose of the role

The role sits in our Europe Finance team, with a focus on;

Maintaining strong financial control of the general ledger, accurate and timely management information, including budgets, variances from budget and the production of KPIs which aligned to the business needs

Ensuring that the Senior Management and COOs of the firm’s business divisions are effectively supported by the Finance department

Timely and accurate analysis of the P&L and movements in certain balance sheet accounts

Key responsibilities of the role 

Financial Accounting and Control

• Maintenance of accurate ledgers and ensuring journals are raised in line with policies

• Control certain high risk balance sheet areas, production of reconciliations and analytical information to ensure appropriate treatments

• Liaison with external auditors throughout the audit process
• Capitalisation of internally developed software and management of accruals and prepayments

• Proactive in suggesting improvements in current management information and working with business, IT, other teams, and finance to deliver high quality solutions to meet business needs

• Responsibility for the preparation of statutory accounts for a small number of entities, in accordance with GAAP including supporting schedules for trial balance

Management Reporting and Business Partnering

• Develop strong relationships with Business Heads, Shared Services heads and COOs, becoming the key point of contact in finance and continuously adding value for BAU reporting, budgeting & forecasting and any ad-hoc projects

• Maintain in depth knowledge of the business profile and the wider industry

• Production of timely & accurate management information, including detailed analysis and commentary which are clearly communicated to Business/ Shared Heads and COOs

• Production of strategic KPIs which align interests of business towards the group’s strategic vision

Planning

• Supporting key stakeholders through the annual budget and forecast cycles, providing rigour and challenge to the numbers as well as helping to prepare relevant presentations

• Assist with annual strategic planning, ensuring all relevant initiatives and business cases are correctly captured, critically reviewed and modelled accordingly

• Ensuring regional allocations are accurately maintained within the budgeting tool and aligned to the needs of the wider business

• Review of the financial systems used for budgeting and development of new tools, where appropriate

Qualifications / Educational Requirements

• Good academic background, with strong A levels

• Educated to degree standard – preferable, but not essential

• Qualified accountant: ACA / ACCA / CIMA

Relevant Experience

• Accounting and finance business partnering experience gained in industry or in practice

• Excellent analytical and relationship building skills

• Open to challenge the status quo and where appropriate, develop rounded solutions

• Investigative nature with the desire to learn and improve

• Proven ability to drive changes and implement new policies / processes

• Demonstrate ability to work well as a team

• Experience of working in a high paced deadline driven environment

• Preferable exposure to Insurance/Brokerage or Financial Services

• Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills