Lead Control Accountant

First Central

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

1st Central is a market-leading insurance company that leverages smart data and technology for rapid growth, serving 1.4 million customers with great value insurance and excellent service. Recognized as Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and boasting a high Glassdoor score, the company is seeking a Lead Control Accountant. This role is pivotal in shaping and maintaining the Group’s financial controls framework, working closely with the finance senior leadership team. The position focuses on strengthening and sustaining a robust, well-designed control environment to support the business's ambitious growth plans. The Lead Control Accountant will bring specialist financial controls expertise to Group Finance, while maintaining independence from the wider operating model to provide impartial, risk-based challenge and insight. The goal is to ensure controls remain proportionate, effective, and aligned with the Group’s overall risk appetite and commercial strategy. The role is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, and offers hybrid working, typically one day a week in the office, with flexibility for more office-based work if preferred.

Requirements

Strong understanding of control frameworks with the ability to assess risk and drive proportionate improvements.
Confident reviewing complex processes, identifying issues, and recommending practical solutions.
Able to provide independent challenge and work effectively with senior stakeholders across the business.
Internal or external audit experience.
Newly qualified or significant relevant accounting experience.
Ability to influence and coach colleagues in other teams and departments.
Proficient in Microsoft applications.
Strong analytical, communication, influencing, and organisation skills.
A high level of oral and written communication skills, communicating effectively with senior managers, colleagues, internal and external stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data.
Work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in challenging situations.
Likely to be a qualified accountant ACCA / ACA.
Knowledge of financial services or similar regulated environment and how this impacts the arrangements within a finance function.

Nice To Haves

Previous exposure in a group accounting function across multiple tax and regulatory jurisdictions.
Previous exposure in SOX, COSO frameworks across a multi-divisional group.

Responsibilities

Support the design and continual monitoring of the Group’s financial control framework across Finance and the wider business.
Ensure appropriate monitoring and escalation are in place for key operating financial metrics.
Support the administration of training and maintain key policy and procedure documentation across the Group, providing assurance reviews and evidence across teams.
Support the identification of control issues and ensure these are assessed, prioritised, and addressed in line with agreed governance and risk appetite.
Work with Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit to ensure finance KRIs, the risk and control framework, and key controls are resilient, proportionate, and effective.
Support the ongoing review and continuous improvement of controls across Finance, including those relating to the preparation of all financial statements (internal and external reporting).
Provide cover during absence for the Head of Tax, Investments and Control.
Support the administration of horizon monitoring for financial services regulatory change that could impact the Group, providing assessments and recommendations across the Finance function and Senior Finance Leadership Team.
Lead and deliver targeted reviews across key finance processes, providing clear, constructive feedback and recommendations to process owners.
Support the development of junior team members through day-to-day guidance, coaching, and quality oversight.
Deliver coaching and feedback to direct reports to achieve KPIs and SLAs, and conduct regular performance reviews, including probationary reviews and annual appraisals as necessary.
Provide supportive people leadership, helping to create a high-performing, inclusive team and addressing issues fairly and promptly.
Support hiring activity where required, helping to attract and retain the right capability for the team.
Help ensure ongoing compliance with company standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
Contribute to risk and control reporting and oversight, ensuring documentation and evidence are appropriate, up to date, and fit for purpose.
Promote a strong risk culture, ensuring the team understand their responsibility to identify, escalate, and report risks.