Financial Accountant

The Financial Reporting team’s purpose is to manage the core financial accounting for the Covéa Insurance companies in the UK delivering financial control, reporting and support to the business on time, every time.

The team are seeking a Financial Accountant to lead on the reinsurance accounting for the general insurance business.

The role can be performed from home, but there may be a requirement to attend the Halifax office occasionally.

What will I be doing?

• Taking ownership of various accounting and reporting processes which feed into the monthly accounts with a key focus on reinsurance accounting (premiums and claims).
• Producing the quarterly reinsurance position by reinsurer to review exposure risks.
• Producing quarterly quota share reinsurance accounts.
• Leading on the production of the reinsurance annual Solvency II templates.
• Assisting in the preparation of the year-end financial accounts and related schedules for reinsurance and providing support to ensure a clean year-end audit.
• Preparing monthly reconciliations for several balance sheet accounts ensuring that any outstanding items are investigated and cleared as appropriate.
• Developing effective and efficient relationships with other areas of the business and with external specialists to ensure reporting is accurate.
• Providing professional and analytical support to the Senior Finance Manager and the wider Finance team.
• Assisting on various projects (across various areas of the management accounts) to investigate and improve controls to ensure the accuracy of stated results.
• Recommending and implementing process improvements to improve control and efficiency.

You should apply if…

• You are a qualified accountant with strong fundamental finance skills. Ideal candidate to have previous experience in the Insurance sector. At least 2 years post qualified experience preferred.
• Have execution focus and the ability to get things done on time and in accordance with business requirements, through effective planning, coordination, implementation and engagement with stakeholders.
• Focus on things that matter; effective prioritisation of multiple tasks and management of stakeholder expectations.
• Self-driven, can work autonomously with integrity and a proven work ethic.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Desire to challenge and improve processes and not follow the status quo.
• Team player who enjoys working inclusively with people from different backgrounds and disciplines.
• Hard working and flexible, able to work under pressure and sometimes with challenging timescales.
• Establishes and maintains constructive and collaborative relationships with all business areas.
• Displays a high level of accuracy and strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, comfortable liaising with staff and management at all levels.
• Strong Excel skills (e.g. v-lookups, pivot tables, reports etc.).

We understand that some candidates may be hesitant to apply for a position if they do not meet all the criteria listed in the job description. At Covéa, we are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role but do not fully meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to submit your application.

What’s on offer?

• 36.25 working hours per week with flexitime, (along with a range of flexible working options)
• Annual pay review and performance related bonus
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to buy/sell holidays
• Continued professional development through internal training programmes, professional qualifications and apprenticeships
• A wealth of support for your mental, financial & physical wellbeing through our Wellbeing group
• A range of health benefits such as access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, free eye tests, flu jabs and the option to opt into private medical insurance
• Tusker Car Scheme – salary sacrifice scheme which lets you drive away a brand new, fully maintained and insured car for up to four years.
• Generous pension scheme with a 7.5% minimum employer pension contribution, matched  to maximum of 9% dependant on your contribution
• Additional benefits such as discounted gym memberships, cycle to work schemes and discounts at lots of retailers through Perkpal.