Cost Accountant jobs in United Kingdom

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.

At Howden - Corporate & Commercial, insurance isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are.We support our clients through the complex landscape of commercial risk.We understand the diverse needs of businesses from large corporates to emerging ventures, meticulously crafting bespoke solutions to empower businesses to navigate uncertainty and achieve unwavering growth.Our depth of commercial insurance expertise allows us to protect client’s assets and fuel their progress.When our clients prosper, we celebrate success with them; when challenges arise, we provide unwavering support.

We are seeking a Corporate Account Handler to support our team and assess our clients’ insurance requirements, deal with general enquiries, renewals, mid-term adjustments, obtaining quotations and invoicing of premiums. Dealing with our Mid-Market / Corporate clients, you will have a passion for providing excellent service to your clients and be excited about the prospect of working with a growing insurance broker that’s making a real impact in the market.

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to providing outstanding service to our clients. We promote personal and professional growth. This is a full time, permanent position with the option to work 2-3 days per week in our Birmingham office for a balanced work experience.

Overview:

• Organise and manage personal work activities to achieve team objectives and meet agreed targets

• Participate in team meetings, reporting on business progress within your area of expertise

• Manage assigned projects and contribute to other projects as required

• Review client documentation to ensure comprehensive and accurate information is presented for the quoting process

• Collate and communicate client requirements to ensure appropriate marketing of the risk

• Liaise with clients to resolve queries and respond to market and third-party queries as appropriate

• Produce high-quality market documentation, securing appropriate authorisations

• Take ownership for data entry, credit control, and chasing subjectivities when required

• Work with underwriters to place insurance that balances quality, coverage, and price

• Process data promptly and accurately on relevant systems to support client service and internal processes

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation for clients, ensuring proper organisation of records.

• Conduct due diligence/sanctions checks in line with company procedures

• Adhere to company policies, procedures, and obtain required authorisations

• Foster and nurture positive relationships with colleagues and external contacts

• Provide support and assistance to senior colleagues and/or their clients on request

• Deal with or refer client enquiries, renewals, and mid-term adjustments

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of all the main classes of General Insurance and the CII’s Code of Ethics and GDPR

• Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience dealing with SME or commercial clients

Skills:

• Good level of technical insurance skills, to be assessed by regular in-house testing

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to process work quickly and efficiently

• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines

• Excellent client service skills

• Good negotiation and broking skills

• Ability to gather and analyse information from the client

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to an individual client’s level of understanding

Qualifications:

• GCSEs A-C in Maths & English

• Cert CII (desirable)

• Acturis (desirable)

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

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.