Group Accountant (FTC up to 31 July 2024)

Group Accountant (FTC up to 31 July 2024) We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an innovative, market-leading insurance company. We protect the things customers love so they can get on with what matters to them in life.
Data drives us. It fuels our outstanding distribution, finance, technology and legal services. Our underwriting skills are built on data expertise; it creates the insights we need to give the right cover to the right customers at the right price. But, it’s the people inside and outside our business that power us. They make us stand out, help us succeed. We’re ambitious. We’re growing. We’ve won awards.
Number Whizzes? Yep. We thrive on numbers. But great people like you power our success.
So if your expertise is all things financial. Could you fit the bill?
Analytical and able to drive process improvements? Like to be busy but can keep your cool? Passionate about numbers and all things reconciliation, reporting, accruals and regulatory returns? Yes? These are just some of the skills
you'll
bring to be our Group Accountant working on a Fixed Term Contract until the end of July 2024.
With great problem
solving, communication and time
management skills - y
ou’ll help
power our business.
You’ll make sure all business or regulatory changes are in hand. Preparing balance sheet reconciliations, schedules and notes, you’ll tell the story behind the figures ensuring the monthly and annual account represents a true and fair view of First Central’s performance.
Working flexibly,
you'll
spend
most of
your time working from home, with a couple of days a month
in the office
. B
ut of course,
it’s
your choice - if you prefer to be in the office more -
that's
good with us too.
You may live further afield, we're open to you being fully remote from home (UK only) aswell! Or maybe you're looking for Part Time hours (i.e., 25 hour per week) or compressed 4 day week - we can make that happen! You’ll be the perfect person for us if: You’re an ACCA / ACA or CIMA Qualified accountantInsurance accounting or audit experience across multiple tax jurisdiction is in your toolkitSolvency II (ideally - dont worry if youve not got it - we can sort that!) analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data is one of your strengthsIf you've an agile approach and quick to react to changes within business, can delivers results, flexible and have an empathetic approach to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders - we want to hear from you! Job responsibilities:
Completion of month end close process within the outlined timetable in a controlled and accurate manner
Ensure appropriate financial risk management across the function through proportionate controls and oversight of all allocated tasks
Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, schedules and notes to ensure the monthly and annual accounts represent a true and fair view of the business performance
Perform analytical review of balance sheet items to ensure business performance is appropriately reflected in the Group and subsidiaries financial statements
Investigation of reconciliation deficiencies, ensuring appropriate escalation and business engagement is achieved
Ensure all broking, insurance and reinsurance activities are accounted for appropriately
Preparation and management of monthly accruals, prepayments and fixed assets
Preparation and monitoring effectiveness of accounting provisions and deferrals, including insurance specific items
Preparation of monthly management accounts including analytical review
Preparation of the Group’s annual financial reporting including financial statements, Board papers and any other reporting as required
Assist the Group auditors to ensure that the year-end audit process runs smoothly
Maintain excellent working knowledge of applicable UK GAAP accounting policies
Preparation of accounting memos and discussion papers relating to the commercial and operating activity of the Group
Preparation of regulatory returns, intercompany settlements, external bordereau and any other reporting as required
Adherence to the Group accounting policies
Drive and support process improvements across the function, including system developments, strengthening of controls, documentation and efficiencies
Support and develop relationships with the function’s internal and external stakeholders
Support activities in other finance teams as required
Ensure second line financial reconciliation activities are both efficient and effective with FCG
Delivering coaching and feedback to direct reports to achieve KPI’s and SLA’s, and conducting regular performance reviews, including probationary reviews and annual appraisals as necessary
Deal with all colleague issues including monitoring absence and conducting disciplinaries
Assisting the recruitment process
Maintain department risk registers (as applicable), providing evidence and commentary for controls, updates for Mitigation Actions and maintaining control matrices and attestations. Also, to ensure that your team are aware of their responsibility to identify and report risk
Comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times
Ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times
Job-specific competencies
Experience & knowledge
Experience in a group accounting function or audit experience across multiple tax jurisdictions
Previous experience in a regulated group, financial services (desirable)
Skills & Qualifications
Qualified accountant ACCA / ACA or CIMA
Good communication skills, both verbal and written
Good time management and organisation skills
Proficient in Microsoft applications, in particular Excel
Strong mathematical, analytical & communication skills
Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data
Work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in challenging situations If you think you can bring the skills to this role, the team and business and want to work for a collaborative, fast-paced and fun organisation, then apply today!What can we do for you? People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here
.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch. We’re happy to discuss flexible working during the recruitment process.As part of our Women in Finance Charter pledge, we've committed to having 30% of women in leadership roles by the end of 2023. 86%
of people would recommend a friend to work at First CentralSimply Health Cash plan. Reclaim the cost of your eye tests, dental, physiotherapy and moreFlexible Bank HolidaysEight flexible bank holidays; you can choose which festivals you observeWe’re passionate about it. Everyone gets a paid day off annually to volunteerElectric Car SchemePlug into our Electric Car Scheme for a deal with insurance, road tax and servicingFlexible WorkingWe’re flexible; most roles let you mix office and home working. We work fluidly around core hoursYour Time in NeedYour Time in Need: five days’ leave so you can deal with life stuff. We’ll support you
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