Deputy Financial Controller in Bristol

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. 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 24,000 employees spanning over 56 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.

This is a FTC 12 Month position. The Deputy Financial Controller will support the Financial Controller in overseeing financial reporting and control across the Specialty Financial Control team in Bristol with a particular focus on newly acquired entities and internal transfers of book of business. This includes supporting all aspects of the preparation of management accounts, board reports, and regulatory filings, while ensuring the integrity of accounting records. The position will also play a key role in assisting the Financial Controller with integrating acquisitions, embedding robust processes, and ensuring consistency of accounting treatment across entities. The role requires leadership of the Specialty Financial Control team in Bristol, ensuring compliance with group standards, and driving continuous improvement in processes and controls. This individual will act as a key liaison with internal finance teams and external auditors, ensuring accurate reporting and the timely submission of financial data.

What You’ll Do

• Support financial control activities by assisting the Financial Controller with the day-to-day operations of the Bristol Specialty Financial control team, including providing basic guidance to junior accountants where needed.
• Assist with monthly and quarterly reporting by helping prepare monthly management accounts, quarterly board-pack inputs, and annual financial schedules.
• Maintain accurate accounting records by supporting the team in ensuring data integrity and compliance with group and statutory requirements.
• Support stakeholder liaison by coordinating routine communication with key finance functions and business stakeholders across the Specialty divisions.
• Assist with reconciliations and reviews by preparing accounting entries, performing reconciliations, and escalating issues to senior team members as required.
• Contribute to process improvements by helping implement group-driven process changes and supporting the enhancement of internal controls.
• Support the audit process by working alongside the Financial Controller to provide auditors with requested information and ensure timely completion of audit tasks.
• Assist with tax data preparation by coordinating and submitting required financial information to Group Tax for the preparation of tax returns.
• Prepare FCA regulatory returns by assisting in the preparation and submission of regulatory returns in accordance with FCA reporting requirements.
• Help manage reporting timelines by supporting the team in meeting internal and external deadlines and ensuring clear communication of key dates.

Who we’re looking for

• Proven experience in leading and developing a team of accountants, fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.
• Strong analytical skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to review and interpret sophisticated financial data.
• Excellent social skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, including senior management and external auditors.
• A proactive approach to identifying process inefficiencies and implementing improvements for more streamlined financial control.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, growing business environment.
• Professional accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with 2 - 5 years of post-qualification experience, preferably from an audit background.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience in managing statutory and group reporting requirements.
• Prior experience in managing external audits and liaising with tax authorities.

What do we offer in return?

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.

Reasonable adjustments

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.