From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success.

People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

The Role

We are looking for a Group Finance Controller on a fixed term contract to oversee the internal and external financial reporting requirements of the Howden Global Specialty, UK Specialty and Reinsurance business divisions including monthly management accounts, periodic reporting to tax authorities as well as the preparation of annual financial statements.

Key Responsibilities

• To oversee and monitor the Specialty, CAP and Reinsurance financial control teams including supervision and management of pillar Financial Controllers and Senior Management Accountants.

• To consult with other group finance teams to ensure consistent and accurate reporting.

• To ensure accuracy and integrity of accounting records and compliance with group and statutory accounting standards.

• To provide performance reporting to management as required including identifying key performance indicators.

• To document accounting processes and identify areas for improvement and streamlining to maintain internal control in a growing business.

• To review accounting entries and reconciliations prepared by the accountants.

• To oversee the audit process and consult with external personnel where required.

• To coordinate the submission of information to Group Tax for preparation of tax returns.

• To ensure all reporting deadlines are met.

Skills & Attributes

• Previous experience in a similar role

• Strong accounting and managerial skills.

• Strong ability to implement and monitor internal controls.

• Team manager and player.

• Good communicator, planner, and organiser.

• Experience of accounting for multiple entities.

Qualification

• Professional accountancy qualification with a minimum of 7 years post-qualified experience.

Our Culture: People First

We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

• An employee-ownership model
• Aligned external investors
• The trust and integrity born of friendship
• Expertise
• Independence

Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention.

Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.