Reporting & Controls Finance Technician (12 month fixed term)

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis

Contract: 12 month fixed term

Location: Fareham

The Opportunity:

Join our dynamic Finance Operations Reporting & Controls team as a Reporting & Controls Finance Technician. This role offers a unique chance to provide support and oversight to our offshore team. You will be instrumental in enhancing process quality, ensuring robust controls, and preparing insightful reports for both Finance Operations and the broader business.

What Makes This Role Exciting:

• Diverse Responsibilities: No two days are the same. You will interact with stakeholders across Zurich’s many functions, gaining a comprehensive understanding of our business and its processes.
• Broad Oversight: The team has oversight of cash & collection processes across all areas of the business including underwriting services / premium collection, claims, and other expenses. Our objective is to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with Group Finance requirements.
• Collaboration and Support: As part of a collaborative team, you will provide coaching and support to our offshore team, leveraging your finance knowledge and experience to meet objectives for all key reporting periods and drive quality improvements across the Finance Operations function.
• Continuous Improvement: There is an opportunity to be involved in forming and delivering a key finance initiative aimed at enhancing the reconciliation processes, ensuring they are more efficient and effective. You will play a pivotal role in the delivery of this project, leveraging your expertise to contribute to project success and contribute to the overall strategic objectives of the Finance Operations team.

What will you be doing?

• Daily oversight of the offshore team; supporting delivery of their daily and month-end responsibilities to ensure that the Balance sheet reporting is complete and accurate for cash and debt.
• Reviewing balance sheet control accounts, providing feedback and coaching as required to the offshore team.
• Prepare reporting for stakeholders. Attending meetings to provide insight into reporting.
• Providing support and assistance to both internal and external audit processes.
• Becoming a subject matter expert, to support on the resolution of outstanding balance sheet transactions which will include cash and claims system entries.
• Identify and support the improvement of processes and the quality of the control environment, to mitigate possible risk of errors.
• Support new projects and developments in relation to the team’s processes and controls. Work closely with the offshore team to support, train, and embed new and improved processes.
• Share knowledge of technical skills across the wider Finance Operations community through formal training and informal knowledge sharing.

What are we looking for?

• Experience in accounting or finance roles, preferably within a finance team.
• You might have a Finance qualification or the equivalent of significant relevant experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Professional with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Experience in coaching and training others to enhance processes and performance.
• Effective stakeholder management skills, with the goal of becoming a trusted advisor.
• Competent in prioritising tasks and effective planning to meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality service.
• Confidence in managing individual projects whilst collaborating effectively within a team.
• Intermediate knowledge of Outlook 365 tools, including Power Query – desirable.
• Dedication to continuous personal and professional development.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Collaborate – promote and deliver effective collaboration with all stakeholders by understanding all parties' needs, through proactive communication, showing flexibility and compromise to deliver the best result for the business.
• Empower – embrace empowerment by ensuring the necessary resources, support, and autonomy are in place to take initiative, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to achieving our collective goals.
• Growth mindset - demonstrate a growth mindset by encouraging continuous learning, embracing challenges and leveraging feedback.
• Trust – proactively build trust by consistently demonstrating transparency, reliability, and integrity in all interactions and communications, within an environment of psychological safety.
• Curiosity – ask more questions, seeking out new experiences and perspectives, to understand more about people, processes, and the wider function and business, with a positive and constructive mindset.

What happens next?

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich, we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people, and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives, and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs, or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social, and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable, and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.