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. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
If you enjoy working with complex data, adding value through insight, and making sure the numbers tell the right story, this could be a great next step.
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.
It’s a varied role, covering everything from month‑end and financial statements to audit support and continuous improvement. You’ll work closely with teams across the business, using your analytical mindset and technical expertise to drive accuracy, efficiency, and better ways of working.
Working flexibly, you'll spend 4 days at home and 1 day in the Haywards Heath office - if you prefer to be in the office more that's good with us too.
We’re looking for someone who has:
1. An accounting qualification and experience in group accounting and reporting
2. Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement
3. An agile approach to project management and able to rapidly react to changes in business priorities
What’s involved:
4. You’ll complete IFRS month end close process within the outlined timetable in a controlled and accurate manner
5. You’ll liaise with other teams, including IFRS Reserving and FP&A, to ensure all inputs and outputs are complete on time.
6. You’ll ensure appropriate financial risk management across the function through proportionate controls and oversight of all allocated tasks
7. You’ll prepare balance sheet reconciliations, schedules and notes to ensure the monthly and annual accounts represent a true and fair view of the business performance
8. You’ll perform analytical review of balance sheet items to ensure business performance is appropriately reflected in the Group financial statements
9. You’ll investigate reconciliation deficiencies, ensuring appropriate escalation and business engagement is achieved
10. You’ll ensure all IFRS consolidation adjustments, including retail revenue, insurance and reinsurance, are accounted for appropriately
11. You’ll prepare accounting inputs for use in ADP and checking the output of ADP is correct prior to being posted into the general ledger
12. You’ll prepare monthly management accounts including analytical review
13. You’ll prepare the Group’s IFRS financial statements, Board papers and any other reporting as required
14. You’ll assist the Group auditors to ensure that the year-end audit process runs smoothly
15. You’ll prepare accounting memos and discussion papers relating to the commercial and operating activity of the Group
16. You’ll drive and support process improvements across the function, including system developments, strengthening of controls, documentation and efficiencies
17. You’ll ensure second line financial reconciliation activities are both efficient and effective with FCG
18. You’ll conduct colleague management duties
19. You’ll maintain department risk registers, providing evidence and commentary for controls, updates for Mitigation Actions and maintaining control matrices and attestations. Also, to ensure that your team are aware of their responsibility to identify and report risk
Experience & knowledge:
20. Experience in an IFRS group accounting function or IFRS audit experience
21. Previous experience in a regulated group, financial services or insurance (desirable)
22. Qualified accountant ACCA / ACA or CIMA
Skills:
23. Good communication skills, both verbal and written
24. Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data
25. Strong mathematical, analytical, communication, and organisation skills
26. Good time management and organisation skills
27. Proficient in Microsoft applications
28. Ability to work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in difficult situations
Behaviours:
29. Results driven with a constant eye on the detail but understand the audience
30. Empathetic approach with an ability to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders
31. A driven attitude to deliver controlled change and rapidly overcome obstacles
32. 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
33. Self-motivated and enthusiastic
34. An organised and proactive approach
35. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
36. A flexible approach and positive attitude
37. Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business
We'd love to hear from you, apply today!
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full .
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.