Group Accountant – IFRS in London

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. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

If you enjoy working with complex data, adding value through insight, and making sure the numbers tell the right story, this could be a great next step.

You’ll play a key role in delivering accurate, timely IFRS reporting while helping to strengthen controls and improve processes. It’s a varied role, covering everything from month-end and financial statements to audit support and continuous improvement. You’ll work closely with teams across the business, using your analytical mindset and technical expertise to drive accuracy, efficiency, and better ways of working.

Working flexibly, you'll spend 4 days at home and 1 day in the Haywards Heath office - if you prefer to be in the office more that's good with us too.

We’re looking for someone who has:

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

What’s involved:

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

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 organisation skills
• Good time management and organisation 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
• An 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