Head of Group Accounting in London

A leading reinsurance firm is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Group Accounting to join its finance function on a contract basis. Reporting into senior finance leadership, you will take responsibility for overseeing group accounting and financial reporting activities, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial information across the business. You will play a key role in managing the group reporting process, maintaining robust financial controls, supporting statutory and regulatory reporting requirements, and driving improvements across the wider finance function. Key Responsibilities * Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual group financial reporting * Oversee the production of group management accounts, consolidated financial statements and associated reporting packs * Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency and adherence to reporting deadlines * Oversee group consolidations, intercompany reconciliations and the resolution of complex accounting issues * Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, including IFRS, and applicable insurance and reinsurance reporting requirements * Review technical accounting matters and assess the financial implications of complex reinsurance transactions * Maintain robust financial controls, accounting policies and procedures across the group * Coordinate statutory audits and work closely with external auditors to ensure timely completion of reporting requirements * Support regulatory reporting, capital-related reporting and wider finance governance activities as required * Partner with finance teams and senior stakeholders across the business to provide financial insight and resolve reporting issues * Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes, strengthen controls and improve the efficiency of the group finance function * Provide leadership and technical guidance to the group accounting team, ensuring effective delivery across all reporting activities Essential Requirements * Fully qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) * Significant experience in group accounting, financial reporting and consolidation within a complex financial services environment * Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS and the preparation of consolidated financial statements * Previous experience within the insurance or reinsurance sector * Proven experience managing month-end, quarter-end and year-end reporting processes * Strong understanding of group consolidations, intercompany accounting and balance sheet reconciliations * Experience overseeing statutory audits and ensuring compliance with financial reporting requirements * Excellent technical accounting, analytical and problem-solving skills * Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities, with the ability to influence senior finance and business leaders * Ability to operate autonomously, manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment * Advanced Excel skills and experience with group reporting or consolidation systems Desirable Experience * Previous experience in an interim Head of Group Accounting, Group Financial Controller or senior group reporting role * Background within a global reinsurance business, international insurer or complex insurance group * Knowledge of reinsurance accounting, including premiums, claims, recoveries and reinsurance contract arrangements * Experience with IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 implementation, reporting or ongoing compliance * Exposure to Solvency II, group capital reporting and insurance regulatory requirements * Experience managing multi-entity, multi-currency consolidations across international jurisdictions The Individual The successful candidate will be a technically strong and commercially minded finance professional with extensive group accounting experience and a background in the insurance or reinsurance sector. You will be confident operating at a senior level, taking ownership of complex reporting requirements and providing clear direction to the group accounting team. With a hands-on approach and the ability to quickly understand existing processes, you will be comfortable navigating a fast-paced environment, resolving technical accounting challenges and working closely with senior stakeholders to ensure accurate, timely and robust financial reporting throughout the interim assignment