Senior Expense Actuals Accountant in London

An international insurance business is looking to appoint a Senior Expense Actuals Accountant on a fixed-term basis to support a busy and high-performing finance function. This is a hands-on opportunity for an experienced finance professional to take ownership of key month-end deliverables, investigate complex expense movements and improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting. Working closely with the Expense Actuals Manager and wider finance team, you will play an important role in maintaining reporting quality, resolving underlying issues and ensuring deadlines are met. There is also potential for the position to become permanent.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the month-end close, ensuring accurate and timely expense reporting.

• Prepare and review detailed financial reporting packs for senior stakeholders.

• Investigate expense movements and variances, identifying root causes and implementing appropriate solutions.

• Analyse financial data to identify discrepancies, trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Coordinate with offshore finance resources to support reporting delivery and resolve outstanding queries.

• Provide flexible support across the Expense Actuals team, helping maintain continuity of delivery and reduce reliance on individual team members.

• Work closely with the Expense Actuals Manager to improve processes, strengthen controls and enhance reporting quality.

• Take ownership of issues through to resolution, ensuring problems are addressed rather than simply escalated.

• Support the wider team during busy reporting periods and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant or a finalist with substantial relevant experience; strong equivalent experience will also be considered.

• Proven experience in month-end reporting, expense accounting, financial control or management accounting.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to investigate complex financial movements.

• Excellent attention to detail and a sound understanding of financial controls.

• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.

• A proactive problem-solver who can identify issues, establish root causes and implement solutions without requiring step-by-step direction.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with finance colleagues, stakeholders and offshore teams.

• Available at short notice or able to start a fixed-term contract quickly.

This role would suit a hands-on, commercially minded finance professional who enjoys getting into the detail, resolving problems and making a tangible difference to a busy finance team. With potential for the contract to become permanent, it also offers an opportunity to establish yourself within a leading international insurance business.