Financial Controller Specialty

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. 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 18,000 employees spanning over 100 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.

• Hybrid role working within our Milton Keynes office.

• 12 month FTC

The Role
The Financial Controller for Specialty will be responsible for leading the financial reporting and control processes for the Global Specialty and UK Specialty divisions. This includes leading all aspects of the preparation of management accounts, board reports, and regulatory filings, while ensuring the integrity of accounting records.

The role requires leadership of the Specialty financial control team, ensuring compliance with group standards, and driving continuous improvement in processes and controls. This individual will act as a key liaison with internal finance teams and external auditors, ensuring accurate reporting and the timely submission of financial data.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and handle the Specialty financial control team, providing supervision and mentorship to accountants.

• Be responsible for the preparation of monthly management accounts, quarterly board reports, and annual financial documents.

• Ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance of accounting records with group and statutory standards.

• Liaise with key finance functions (FP&A, IBA, Cashiers, and overseas teams) to handle day-to-day accounting matters for the Specialty divisions.

• Review accounting entries, reconciliations, and ensure timely completion by the financial control team.

• Provide detailed performance reporting to senior management, identifying and analysing key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Document and improve accounting processes to enhance efficiency and maintain strong internal controls in a growing business.

• Supervise the audit process, collaborating closely with external auditors as needed to ensure smooth completion.

• Coordinate the submission of financial data to Group Tax for the preparation of tax returns.

• Ensure adherence to all reporting deadlines and provide clear communication on financial timelines.

Skills & Attributes:

• Proven experience in leading and developing a team of accountants, fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.

• Strong analytical skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to review and interpret sophisticated financial data.

• Excellent social skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, including senior management and external auditors.

• A proactive approach to identifying process inefficiencies and implementing improvements for more streamlined financial control.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, growing business environment.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Professional accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience.

• Demonstrated experience in accounting for multiple entities, preferably in an international context.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience in managing statutory and group reporting requirements.

• Prior experience in managing external audits and liaising with tax authorities.

What do we offer in return?

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

Reasonable adjustments

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.

Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)