Financial Risks & Controls Manager

Howden Re is the global reinsurance broker and risk, capital & strategic advisor focused on relentless innovation & superior analytics for top client service.

About Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our Finance team as a Financial Risks & Controls Manager. In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of our financial reporting processes, as well as identifying and mitigating potential risks within our organization by directing the operation of the risk management framework to the highest standards.

We are looking for a detail-oriented and analytical professional who is passionate about promoting a culture of compliance and integrity and has experience in advising on risk-related issues.

If you have a strong understanding of internal controls and risk management, along with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Primary Responsibilities

• Liaise with Group and external consultants to prepare documentation for key accounting workflows, including business process narratives and risk control matrices
• Conduct thorough end-to-end evaluations of the business' risk and control environment to identify significant gaps and opportunities, determine root causes of control breaks and mitigate issues promptly
• Strengthen Controllership function by working with Finance team to identify / develop financial controls, as needed, and provide oversight re: implementation into recurring processes. This will include but not be limited to taking ownership for review of monthly balance sheet account reconciliations
• Establish control environment within Howden Re US Finance to enable management team the ability to successfully opine on operating effectiveness of key financial controls. This includes monitoring and tracking key risk indicators and reporting on potential issues to senior management
• Provide guidance and support to various departments on compliance with internal controls and risk management policies. This includes working closely with business process owners to ensure controls to mitigate identified risks are implemented and issues identified by Group Internal Audit are fully remediated
• Challenge current processes across the Finance team and identify opportunities for improvement
• Stay up to date on industry best practices and regulations related to internal controls and risk management
• Support Finance team, as needed, with external audits at fiscal year-end

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred
• Insurance and/or Financial Services experience preferred
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience, such as public accounting, controls and compliance experience, or technical accounting
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, SOX and COSO Framework
• Strong attention to detail and pride in work is critical
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well independently and within a team is critical
• Strong sense of urgency, with ability to multi-task, balance multiple priorities and perform in a fast-paced environment
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
• Legally authorized to work in the US

Company Culture

Howden began in 1994, as just three people and a dog. Now there are 23,000 of us, and we're a leading global insurance group, managing $37bn of premiums for our clients. Our largest shareholder group is us – the people who work in the business – supported by three long-term, minority growth-equity partners who share our vision to build a business to last, one that will never be sold. The owner's mindset is something that's embedded in our culture; our people readily take ownership of their decisions, their actions, and their outputs. They’re invested in every sense. And we all know that by working together to drive the business forward, everyone will benefit from the extraordinary results we can achieve.