Full job descriptionA privately owned specialty insurance group is adding a Group accountant to its central finance team in London. You’ll work directly alongside the Finance Director, own the group’s day-to-day accounting and consolidation across the UK and Europe, and play a central part in bringing newly acquired businesses onto one set of numbers.
The business
Our client is a specialty insurance business headquartered in London, with operations across the UK and Europe. It is backed by long-term investors who are building the group, not preparing it for sale. It has grown quickly through organic growth and acquisitions, and there are more acquisitions to come.
It is deliberately the opposite of a large carrier: lean, entrepreneurial and light on bureaucracy, with direct access to the people who make decisions. As the group grows, so does the finance team.
The role
Reporting to the Finance Director, you’ll own the accounting for every company in the group. The FD sets direction and leads strategic projects. You make sure the numbers are produced, consolidated and right, and you’ll be trusted to do that without layers of review.
What you’ll do
*Run the accounts for all group companies in the UK and across Europe.
*Take the group from quarterly to monthly reporting, improving speed and accuracy.
*Run and develop the group consolidation across UK and European entities.
*Bring acquired businesses onto consistent reporting, accounting policies and controls. This is ongoing work, not a one-off project.
*Act as finance lead for European entities without their own finance team, and support local finance contacts, in person when needed.
*Handle insurance-specific accounting, including premium and revenue recognition.
*Help shape the finance systems and processes the group needs as it scales.
What you’ll bring
*ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with around three years’ post-qualification experience.
*Insurance sector experience, from an MGA, broker, Lloyd’s or company market carrier, or an insurance audit portfolio.
*Practical experience consolidating UK and European entities.
*Technically strong and self-sufficient: you do the work yourself and get it right.
*Comfortable in a lean, fast-moving business where you shape how things are done.
*Happy to work with the FD in London three days a week and to travel in Europe occasionally.
Nice to have
*Experience integrating acquired businesses into group reporting.
*Experience moving a business to a faster, more rigorous reporting cycle.
*A second European language.
Where this goes
The group is expanding and its finance function is scaling with it. You’ll work with the FD from day one, with exposure to acquisitions, integration and group reporting that would take years to reach in a larger firm. As the group grows, the senior finance roles it creates will go to people who have already proved themselves.
Process
Two to three interview stages, in person in London. You’ll meet the Finance Director early in the process.
This role is being handled by a specialist insurance finance recruiter. All applications are treated in strict confidence, and the client’s identity will be shared with shortlisted candidates before interview.