Group Accountant – IFRS

We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. We’re looking for a Group Accountant – IFRS to join our Finance Team in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. You’ll play a key role in delivering accurate, timely IFRS reporting while helping to strengthen controls and improve processes.

Responsibilities

• Complete IFRS month‑end close process within the outlined timetable in a controlled and accurate manner.
• Liaise with other teams, including IFRS Reserving and FP&A, to ensure all inputs and outputs are complete on time.
• Ensure appropriate financial risk management across the function through proportionate controls and oversight of all allocated tasks.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, schedules and notes to ensure the monthly and annual accounts represent a true and fair view of the business performance.
• Perform analytical review of balance sheet items to ensure business performance is appropriately reflected in the Group financial statements.
• Investigate reconciliation deficiencies, ensuring appropriate escalation and business engagement is achieved.
• Ensure all IFRS consolidation adjustments, including retail revenue, insurance and reinsurance, are accounted for appropriately.
• Prepare accounting inputs for use in ADP and check the output of ADP is correct prior to being posted into the general ledger.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including analytical review.
• Prepare the Group’s IFRS financial statements, Board papers and any other reporting as required.
• Assist the Group auditors to ensure that the year‑end audit process runs smoothly.
• Prepare accounting memos and discussion papers relating to the commercial and operating activity of the Group.
• Drive and support process improvements across the function, including system developments, strengthening of controls, documentation and efficiencies.
• Ensure second line financial reconciliation activities are both efficient and effective with FCG.
• Conduct colleague management duties.
• Maintain department risk registers, providing evidence and commentary for controls, updates for Mitigation Actions and maintaining control matrices and attestations.

Qualifications

• An accounting qualification and experience in group accounting and reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement.
• Agile approach to project management and able to rapidly react to changes in business priorities.

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience in an IFRS group accounting function or IFRS audit experience.
• Previous experience in a regulated group, financial services or insurance (desirable).
• Qualified accountant – ACCA, ACA or CIMA.

Skills

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, communication and organisational skills.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in difficult situations.

Behaviours

• Results driven with a constant eye on the detail but understand the audience.
• Empathetic approach with an ability to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders.
• A driven attitude to deliver controlled change and rapidly overcome obstacles.
• An agile approach to project management and able to rapidly react to changes in business priorities to take advantage of emerging business and customer opportunities.
• Self‑motivated and enthusiastic.
• Organised and proactive approach.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• A flexible approach and positive attitude.
• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.