Group Accountant – IFRS

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. We’re looking for a Group Accountant – IFRS to join our Finance Team in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. You’ll play a key role in delivering accurate, timely IFRS reporting while helping to strengthen controls and improve processes.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

An accounting qualification and experience in group accounting and reporting.

Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement.

Agile approach to project management and able to rapidly react to changes in business priorities.

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 organisational skills.
• Good time management and organisational 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.
• 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.

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