Finance Manager (12 month FTC)

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

We're looking for a contractor to join our External Reporting team. This person will be responsible for assisting on Group consolidation to support both internal and external reporting requirements. This will include monthly management accounts, Group quarterly and annual accounts, lender reporting and other ad-hoc reporting requirements.

Please note that this role is for a 12 Month FTC. Following a hybrid-work pattern, the expectation is for you to be onsite 2-3 days per week on average. This person will report to the Head of External Reporting.

Various period-end reporting

• Responsible for supporting the production of IFRS consolidated results for monthly management accounts and quarterly interim financial statements for external partners

• Preparing and posting consolidation journals, including IA amortisation, deferred tax, and intercompany eliminations

• Performing analytical review of consolidated P&L and balance sheet movements versus prior month and budget, escalating unexplained items

• Completing balance sheet reconciliations, resolving differences and engaging with divisions on quality improvements

• Assessing revenue recognition under IFRS 15 lens and supporting local teams in transitioning new acquisitions

• Production of Group accounting papers such as revenue recognition under IFRS 15 for non-IFRS reporters

• Assisting with significant M&A accounting related activity and assisting with on-boarding new acquisitions to the group  

• Assist with the production of annual statutory accounts along with detailed note workings

• Support throughout year-end audit and assisting with resolving auditor queries

Key Accountabilities (What you are measured on)

• Timely and accurate production of various reporting packs, accounting papers and ad hoc reports

• High quality outputs presented in a concise and easy-to-follow manner

• You will also need to efficiently co-ordinate with business partners throughout the month end cycle.

• Knowledge of IFRS, UK GAAP and relevant UK Law

• Prior experience of large multi-currency group consolidations

• Prior experience in using OneStream or HFM and Unit4 or the ability to learn reporting tool quickly

• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain quality of deliverables

• Plans ahead, with a proven ability of meeting tight deadlines.

• You will need to consider information provided to you with a level of professional scepticism, and a personal drive for producing high quality work.

• Advanced MS Excel (Index match and VLOOKUP formulae), data manipulation and analysis

• Most importantly, you'll need to learn quickly and adapt to a constantly evolving business environment and Group structure

Professional Qualifications

• Graduate level education (or equivalent)

• Qualified accountant: at least 5-7 years PQE, preferably ACA/ CA (SA)

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new

• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges

• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs.  Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.