Finance Manager - Group Accounting (12m FTC)

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.

The Finance Manager will lead a portion of the Legal Entity Reporting team, focusing on monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for a portfolio of 15 holding and treasury companies.

The ideal candidate will possess substantial technical expertise in key financial areas, team leadership experience, and an understanding of complex financial transactions. They will collaborate with diverse teams to streamline processes, improve controls, and simplify financial reporting across various entities. This position does not require insurance accounting experience but benefits from experience in holding or treasury company reporting.

Please note this role is a 12-month FTC maternity cover to start ASAP. Following a hybrid work pattern, you will be required to be onsite 2-3 days per week at our Central London office.

Role Responsibilities:

Reporting & Compliance

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for designated entities.

• Manage the month-end reporting process, balance sheet reconciliations, and lender attestation reporting.

• Oversee statutory account preparation, including simple and complex entities, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure accurate completion of accounting papers, especially for financing, hedging, and share transactions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead a team of accountants, fostering a continuous improvement mindset.

• Mentor and coach team members, identifying skill development needs and encouraging knowledge sharing.

• Simplify and accelerate monthly closing processes through process improvements.

Stakeholder & Auditor Relations

• Cultivate cooperative relationships with internal teams (finance, tax, legal) and external auditors.

• Efficiently respond to audit queries, identifying and escalating issues as needed.

Special Projects & Process Improvement

• Participate in or lead projects such as cash pooling implementation, reorganizations, and business transfers.

• Support fair value assessments, impairment testing, and M&A accounting activities during off-peak periods.

• Contribute to policy reviews and improvements within legal entity reporting.

Role Requirements:

Qualifications & Experience

• ACA/ACCA or equivalent with 4+ years post-qualification experience.

• Degree (2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant field.

• Strong knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP, with specific expertise in financial instruments, intercompany transactions, and statutory reporting.

Competencies

• Team management experience, with a proven ability to lead teams of at least three.

• Effective communication skills, capable of explaining accounting concepts to non-finance professionals.

• Advanced technical understanding of IFRS 9 (financial instruments), IFRS 2 (share-based payments), and valuation concepts.

• Familiarity with financial consolidation and statutory versus group reporting differences.

Technical Skills & Preferred Experience

• Hands-on experience with financial systems, consolidation, and ledger management.

• Background in acquisition accounting (IFRS 3), leases (IFRS 16), and audit of consolidated accounts

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)