At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external reporting and consolidation for a global insurance group.
- Company: Join Howden, a diverse global insurance group with a unique employee-owned culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, career progression, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance transformation while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in group reporting, strong IFRS knowledge, and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Who are we?
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.
What we're looking for
Reporting to the Chief Accounting Officer, the Head of Group Reporting will lead the team responsible for the Group's consolidation and external reporting activities across a complex global organisation.
This role owns the production of consolidated financial reporting under IFRS, leads relationships with external auditors, drives reporting excellence, and plays a key role in the delivery of major finance transformation initiatives.
Please note that this is a full-time, up to 18 months (March 2028) fixed term contract role based in our Central London office.
You are expected to be onsite 3 days per week on average.
- What you'll be doing
- Leadership and oversight of external reporting
- Production of annual Group consolidated accounts prepared under IFRS
- Production of quarterly interim consolidated accounted prepared under IFRS for lender reporting
- Leading monthly consolidation process for a global group with subsidiaries worldwide across Americas, UK & Ireland, EMEA and Asia Pacific.
Deliver accurate and timely balance sheet, income statement, cash flow and reserves reporting.
Partner with the Group FP&A team to support budgeting and forecasting activities, including cash flow and capital expenditure analysis.
- Key contact with EY, the Group's auditors
- Be a key stakeholder and SME in an ambitious change program which includes: Re-build of One Stream (going live January 2027), the Group's consolidation and reporting tool
- Control improvements in terms of remediation and enhanced documentation
- Number of BAU improvements including documentation/back-up, more regular production of key reconciliations and quality of analysis produced
- Collaborate with Tax, Treasury, Corporate Finance, Divisional Finance and wider Group Finance teams on cross-functional initiatives and reporting requirements.
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of five permanent employees and two contractors, creating a high-performing and collaborative environment.
- What qualifications we're looking for
- Proven experience leading group consolidation and external reporting within a large, complex international organisation.
- Strong technical IFRS knowledge, including the preparation of consolidated financial statements.
- Experience managing external audit relationships and coordinating audit deliverables.
- Demonstrated success leading finance change and transformation initiatives.
- Experience operating within a fast-paced environment with multiple reporting cycles and stakeholder demands.
- Previous people leadership experience, including coaching, development and performance management.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively across Finance and business functions.
- Advanced Excel capability with experience analysing, validating and presenting complex financial data.
- ACA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
- Ideally 10+ years' post-qualification experience within group reporting, consolidation or financial reporting leadership roles.
- Experience of consolidation and reporting platforms such as One Stream is advantageous.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills, together with excellent financial and numerical analysis capability.
Qualifications
ACA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
Ideally 10+ years' post-qualification experience within group reporting, consolidation or financial reporting leadership roles.
Experience of consolidation and reporting platforms such as One Stream is advantageous.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills, together with excellent financial and numerical analysis capability.
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*.
- *Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Rea
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Head of External Reporting (18 month FTC) employer: hyperiongrp
Howden is an exceptional employer that champions employee ownership and a collaborative culture, making it a standout choice for professionals seeking meaningful careers. With a strong focus on work/life balance, career progression, and sustainability, employees thrive in an environment that encourages personal growth and innovation. Located in Central London, the Head of External Reporting role offers the unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team while being part of a global insurance group that values diversity and supports its employees through flexible working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Reporting (18 month FTC)
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Reporting (18 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at hyperiongrp. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give hyperiongrp confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at hyperiongrp
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with hyperiongrp.
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For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure hyperiongrp that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
