Syndicate Accountant (12 month FTC)

Chaucer; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance group in London is seeking an accountant to manage syndicate transactions and liaise with underwriters. Ideal candidates will have experience in the insurance market and proficiency in UK GAAP. This role includes generating reports and ensuring compliance with internal controls in a dynamic environment. The company promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and is open to flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience with live Syndicates is desirable.
• Exposure to insurance accounting standards is desirable.
• Able to deliver results under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Account for technical and non-technical transactions.
• Prepare account reconciliations and analysis.
• Liaise with Finance to ensure timely delivery of end results.

Skills

Exposure to the Insurance Market as an accountant or auditor

Working knowledge of UK GAAP

Advanced experience of using Excel

Advanced report writing skills

Very good verbal communication

Experience with accounting software (PeopleSoft)

Education

Qualified CA, ACCA or CIMA

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Overview

This role covers all aspects of syndicate accounting for live Syndicates. Activities include reviewing data input, liaising with underwriters and actuaries to ensure efficient and accurate accounting and the production of ledger information, necessary for the production of management information and regulatory returns. The role will support the Syndicate Accounting Manager in planning and running the close process (monthly and quarterly), together with assisting with the preparation of analytical tools and reports to support the information produced, plus other ad-hoc project work.

Main duties

• The accounting of insurance technical and non-technical transactions in the relevant ledgers of the Syndicates, including handling all technical aspects affecting the syndicate ledgers
• All operational aspects of the production of ledgers, including the preparation of account reconciliations and analysis of balance sheet and profit & Loss items
• Liaising with parties involved in the process, in particular within the Finance area, to ensure the end result is delivered in the timeframe and standards required
• Assisting in planning and production of reports and ensuring that they are produced in accordance with the relevant timetables, ensuring that there is sufficient time for management review and understanding of the figures
• Development of diagnostics and continuous interaction with underwriters, actuaries and treasury in order to develop the understanding of the figures
• Responsible for the following accounting activities:
• o Administration of ledgers kept in PeopleSoft
• o The preparation and maintenance of timetables and department resource planning
• o Handling of all technical aspects affecting the production of syndicate returns
• o Managing all operational aspects of the production of documents, in order to ensure the timely and accurate production of syndicate returns
• Responsible for the maintenance of a sound system of internal controls, including where appropriate SOX controls
• Liaising with internal and external auditors at the highest level and ensuring that all the information required is produced and the audits are completed on time
• Responsible for the development of process improvements and system enhancements, in order to ensure the efficient and accurate production of data. This might require involvement in projects.
• Responsible for the documentation of procedures affecting the areas under supervision
• Active participation on ad-hoc projects
• Regulatory responsibilities
• Not applicable

Our requirements

Relevant experience

• Essential Exposure to the Insurance Market as an accountant or auditor
• Desirable Experience with live Syndicates

Technical skills

• Essential Working knowledge of UK GAAP, Companies Act and IFRS
• Advanced experience of using Excel
• Advanced report writing skills
• Very good verbal communication
• Experience with accounting software (PeopleSoft)
• Desirable Exposure to insurance accounting standards

Education & Experience

• Desirable Qualified CA, ACCA or CIMA

Personal skills

• Able to deliver results under tight deadlines, showing flexibility when required
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership of the work assigned
• Emphasis on quality of the outputs produced
• Self-starter, requiring minimum supervision, with the ability to solve problems and find solutions
• “Can do” attitude and willing to take more responsibilities
• Team player

About us

Chaucer is a leading insurance group at Lloyd’s, the world’s specialist insurance market. We help protect industries around the world from the risks they face. Our customers include major airlines, energy companies, shipping groups, global manufacturers and property groups.

Our headquarters are in London, and we have international offices in Bermuda, Copenhagen, Dubai and Singapore to be closer to our clients across the world. To learn more about us please visit our website.

Chaucer is committed to diversity, actively values difference and respects people regardless of the protected characteristics which are outlined in the Equality Act 2010 (UK legislation) as a result of the Equal Treatment Directive 2006 (EU legislation).

A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace are core to our success as a business and integral to our winning strategy and culture. We recruit from the widest available pool of talent, and our hiring, assessment and selection process is fair, free from bias and one which ensures we select the right person for the job, based on merit. We are committed to promoting a culture that actively values difference, and recognises that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect throughout their employment.

We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles and encourage you to outline your needs during the interview process.