Financial Controller

Howden; Grays; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden, Lakeside—Hybrid (2 days in the office per week), is seeking a fully qualified ACA/ACCA accountant to lead the management accounting and financial control function for a 12-month fixed-term contract.

You will oversee a team of four Management Accountants, ensure timely financial reporting, manage controls, and coordinate with external auditors and the FCA for regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA).
• Strong knowledge of FRS 102 and IFRS.
• Proven leadership of finance teams.
• Experience with audits and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end and quarter-end processes with timely, accurate reporting.
• Oversee provisions, non-recurring costs and accruals per policy.
• Coordinate with FP&A and Finance Director for monthly/board reporting.
• Own balance sheet integrity and reconciliations.
• Maintain robust internal controls and documentation.
• Oversee cash flow forecasting and working capital movements.
• Coordinate end-to-end audit process and regulatory submissions (FCA).
• Lead and develop the Management Accounts team.

Education

ACA/ACCA

Job description

Location: Lakeside - Hybrid (2 days in the office per week)

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Role Purpose

This role leads the management accounting and financial control function and is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting. The position also has line management responsibility for four Management Accountants and plays a key role in maintaining and developing a strong financial control environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead month-end and quarter-end process ensuring accurate reporting to agreed timelines.
• Oversee judgemental areas including provisions, non-recurring costs and judgemental accruals, ensuring consistency with accounting policies and standards
• Review pre-close outputs in collaboration with FP&A and the Finance Director and feed into monthly management reporting and quarterly board reporting
• Overall ownership and sign-off of balance sheet integrity including review and approval of Balance Sheet reconciliations.
• Support a robust financial control environment, including documentation and evidencing for key controls
• Oversee cash flow forecasting, providing challenge to cash assumptions and working capital movements
• Oversight and coordination of the end to end audit process, including review of financial statements, impairment and accounting papers on significant estimates and Going Concern
• Coordinating with Group Tax for timely and accurate tax submissions
• Review and approval of regulatory returns to the FCA
• Support quarterly attestation processes, ensuring completeness and accuracy of submission
• Lead and manage the Management Accounts team, providing supervision and development.
• Ensure compliance with Group accounting policies and statutory standards.
• Identify and implement improvements to processes to improve financial control and increase efficiency

Skills & Experience

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA)
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (FRS 102 and IFRS)
• A confident leader with proven experience of managing finance teams
• Strong communicator with the ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with a dedication to financial accuracy and integrity.
• Experienced in managing audits and working with external auditors.
• Proactive in identifying process improvements and driving efficiencies.
• Collaborative and able to build positive relationships across finance functions.

Who are we?

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.

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*.

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