The Role

The role sits within the Group Finance team of Charles Taylor and will provide maternity cover for a period of 12 months and take responsibility for providing technical accounting advice, postings and support to the external group audit process in a complex and fast paced international private equity backed Group.   There are expected to be major corporate projects that this role will be key to assisting with.  

While this role can be fully performed remotely, occasional travel to Charles Taylor's London office would be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of completion and year end group financial statements including liaising with group auditors as appropriate of a truly international business.
• Act as a primary liaison for internal (Regional and Group finance teams) and external stakeholders (BDO, KPMG, EY, etc.), ensuring clear communication and timely resolution of technical matters.
• Support local finance teams in the preparation of their statutory financial statements.
• Management of technical accounting matters across the Group. This involves proactively identifying and advising on the impact of business and external environment changes that potentially impact on the monthly and year end numbers, preparing accounting papers as required and being pro-active in sharing with our external auditors. Additionally providing advice to the business and liaising with external consultants as required.
• Working closely with the Group Financial Accountant, who will assist with statutory reporting and technical accounting.
• Providing technical accounting support on the major corporate projects that are expected over the next 12 months
• Producing relevant framework practical accounting papers for easy communication across the group to management accountants and finance business partners
• Provide IFRS expertise, especially covering borrowings, lease accounting, revenue recognition, acquisition accounting, disposal accounting, share based payments and pension accounting  
• Interface regularly with our auditors and prepare accounting paper that support IFRS accounting treatments as required by them
• Challenge any business unit teams as appropriate on local accounting  
• Assist with improvements to the financial reporting processes at Charles Taylor. Identify weaknesses in control processes, suggest improvements, and formalize the changes across the business.  

Required Skills

• Qualified with a minimum of 5 PQE from a Top 10 accountancy firm (ACA or ACCA) and with international business.  Private equity experience preferred
• Strong and up to date knowledge of all aspects of IFRS with credible group year-end close experience  
• Experience of business sale and completion accounting
• Effective communication skills, teamwork and collaboration skills with executives, auditors and external advisors  
• Elevated levels or resilience with an ability to work in an environment where systems and processes are not currently at the level they need to be
• History of working with ‘virtual’ teams  
• Strong organization and project management skills – ability to manage multiple projects with competing demands  
• Output focused and able to work to tight deadlines  

About Us

Founded in 1884 as a mutual insurance association, Charles Taylor began under the leadership of coal merchant Charles Taylor, whose astute management set the stage for growth. Today, we are a global leader providing insurance services and technology solutions with a team of c.4,000 experts across 120+ countries on 6 continents.

Our unmatched depth of specialist expertise, from loss adjusters to forensic accountants, helps the global insurance market to address its challenges. Through our trusted partnerships model, we build long-term, personal relationships with clients based on trust and cooperation. Our powerful technology helps our clients improve their customers’ experience from start to finish. Thanks to our global reach, our clients can access our services wherever they are in the world, whenever they need us.

Our services and solutions support every stage of the insurance lifecycle and every aspect of the insurance operating model, across all major commercial insurance lines serving a blue-chip international customer base that includes insurance companies, mutuals, captives, MGAs, Lloyd's syndicates and reinsurers, along with brokers, distributors and corporate insureds. Our Group Business Services (GBS) function supports the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the company ensuring that teams have the tools, systems and support needed to deliver high-quality client solutions. Focused on finance operations, HR services, IT infrastructure, legal and compliance support, and workplace management, the GBS function enables the business to operate with agility, maintain compliance and focus on delivering value to our clients.

Expertise you can trust - for more information, please visit www.charlestaylor.com 

Why join Charles Taylor?

Charles Taylor prides itself on being a people-centric business. Our culture and values define who we are, what we stand for and how we behave. They guide how we work with our colleagues and our clients, today and in the future. By living our values every day when we come to work, we deliver better results for the world of insurance.

We strive to provide a positive working environment that offers opportunities for professional development and growth across all our business areas. This includes a structured onboarding process, job-specific skills development, online and in-person training, as well as study assistance for professional qualifications.

Our Values

Accountability (We take ownership and responsibility)

We all have a role to play in Charles Taylor’s growth and overall success.  

Agility (We learn, evolve and adapt quickly)  

We anticipate, prepare for and adapt to change; it’s how we stay competitive.  

Care (We are compassionate and human)

We are approachable and genuinely interested in others.

Collaboration (We are one)

We are unique but united in our work.

Integrity (We do the right thing)

At all times, we act with responsibility and respect.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Charles Taylor, we are proud to be an Inclusive Employer. We foster an environment of mutual respect with zero tolerance to discrimination of any kind regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or family status, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

We recognise that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is essential in enabling us to deliver better insurance outcomes and fulfilling our responsibilities to clients, colleagues, and the community. We proactively promote and celebrate differences and strive to create an environment where our people feel included and can reach their full potential. We take pride in our inclusive and diverse culture, which is supported by strong partnerships and a transparent, fair recruitment process.

Contact information

Ankur Chowdhury