Senior Accountant

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It's what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities - work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you'll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Who are we?

Howden is a collective - a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 20,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.


Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There's no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That's Howden.


Why work at Howden?


We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients.


Always have, always will.


People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It's what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed head- hunters for years. Whatever your priorities - work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you'll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.


What is the role?


We are seeking a high-caliber Senior Accountant with proven experience owning and executing the month-end close process in a corporate environment. This role is designed for someone who knows accounting fundamentals cold, thrives in fast-paced cycles, and wants to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly scaling business. You will work closely with the Controller and other members of the Finance team to support day-to-day accounting operations, monthly close activities, and financial reporting.


You will join the Miami-based US arm of a decades-established global leader in insurance broking, now backed by private equity and expanding aggressively across the United States. In under a year, we have grown to 1,000+ employees nationwide, with significant growth ahead. This is a rare opportunity to help build the finance function of a major US market entrant - and grow your career alongside it.


We want someone who is energized by meaningful, hands-on work - especially during the month-end close cycle - and takes pride in driving the process forward with accuracy and ownership. If you want more than a job - if you want responsibility, visibility, and the chance to make an impact - this is the place.


What will you be doing?


Month-End Close & General Ledger

• Take full ownership of assigned areas of the monthly close cycle, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.

• Prepare high-volume, complex journal entries including:

• Payroll for a workforce of 1,000+ employees

• T&E using Concur data

• Accruals (AP, operating expenses, commissions, etc.)

• New business startup costs

• Fixed assets and depreciation

• Perform a full set of balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring proper documentation and timely resolution of reconciling items.

• Review the trial balance, identify anomalies, and drive corrective actions independently.

Accounts Payable & Expense Management

• Process vendor invoices, employee reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.

• Review T&E submissions for accuracy and compliance with company policies.

• Ensure timely resolution of AP or expense-related issues by coordinating with internal teams.

• Maintain organized AP records and support process improvements.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Extract data from financial systems to prepare recurring and ad-hoc reports for senior management and executives.

• Assist in preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and analyses for internal and external reporting.

• Support audit requests by gathering documentation and ensuring completeness and accuracy.

• Work confidently with large, multi-source data sets and complex Excel workbooks used to process journal entries and financial schedules.

• Apply advanced Excel skills (XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, nested formulas) to validate, reconcile, and streamline accounting outputs.

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Learn and adapt to evolving system integrations and new financial tools currently being implemented.

• Help document processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Maintain a strong understanding of the general ledger structure and financial reporting workflows.

• Participate in ongoing system integrations, helping map processes, test data flows, and understand end-to-end impacts on the ledger.

• Gain exposure to:

• OneStream (global consolidation and reporting system) - prior experience helpful but not required

• Applied Epic (insurance broking system) - prior experience helpful but not required

Collaboration & Professionalism

• Work closely with finance leadership, FP&A, and operational teams to support business needs.

• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow through to completion.

• Demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to high-quality work.

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented team environment.

• Engage routinely with upper-level management and executives, gaining visibility and influence early in your tenure.

• Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively - especially during close.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• 3-6+ years of accounting or combined accounting/audit experience, with direct involvement in the month-end close cycle.

• Strong understanding of US GAAP, including revenue, leases, accruals, and expense recognition.

• Experience in high-volume, multi-entity environments; insurance brokerage experience is helpful but not required.

• Experience with general ledger systems; exposure to OneStream or Applied Epic is a plus.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy under pressure.

• A proactive, accountable mindset - someone who takes ownership, learns quickly, and drives results.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas). and comfort working with large, complex data sets.

• Familiarity with general ledger systems; experience with Oracle/Hyperion is a plus but not required.

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.

• Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within the Finance function.

• Legally authorized to work in the US.

Work Environment

• Location: US Headquarters in Downtown Miami

• Schedule: On-site as needed during onboarding and key periods (e.g., month-end close, executive visits), transitioning to a hybrid schedule once fully up to speed.

• Culture: Empowered, collaborative, positive, and growth-oriented. We value people who take initiative, solve problems, and elevate the team.

Why This Role Matters

• This is a high-visibility, high-impact role where you will:

• Help build the finance function of a rapidly expanding US business.

• Work directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Influence processes, systems, and workflows during a period of major growth.

• Be recognized and rewarded for your contributions.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $110,000; actual base salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location. This role is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).


In addition to a competitive base salary, employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. Howden also offers a variety of benefits and programs, subject to eligibility, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including healthcare savings and reimbursement accounts

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Flexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leave

• Life and Disability insurance

Our sustainability promise

We're on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.


What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity - there is no one Howden type. Instead, we're looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it's the right fit for you, send us your application - if your profile fits the role's criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent