This position is responsible for maintaining, enhancing and developing the company’s financial control environment, working closely with the business function leaders to ensure successful completion of quarterly and annual SOX testing. The role is a lead for coordinating CNA Hardy’s external audit process, acting as the key point of contact between the auditors and multiple business stakeholders in Finance and across business functions. The role is responsible for monitoring and implementing new and developing accounting and regulatory developments under various regulatory environments. In bringing these responsibilities together, the role will continually look to improve finance processes and controls, and perform analysis of financial results and entity balance sheets. Other responsibilities include working with the Financial Reporting team on the production of annual statutory accounts, leading the ELTO audit and coordinating ad hoc financial projects.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Controls
Leads resources and processes responsible for maintaining, enhancing and reporting the entity wide financial control environment.
Leads the team and co-ordinates the processes that record, document and test financial controls in accordance with SOX and other regulatory requirements.
Reports to the Controls and Attestation Group on financial controls effectiveness and control testing, working with Chicago and the wider business functions to document and implement effective resolution of any control gaps.
Ensuring accounting compliance and effective design and operation of controls for corporate and/or capital projects.
External Audit
Leads and coordinates the external audit process to ensure completion within budget and timeframe.
Liaises with business functions to ensure information and explanations are provided to the external auditors in a timely manner for the audit of controls, financials and the annual accounts.
Key contact point for US IT audit function to deliver IT audit.
Prepares and presents audit reports to the Senior Leadership Team and the Audit Committee.
Leads the completion of the ELTO (Employers' Liability Tracing Office) annual audit.
Accounting and Regulatory Developments
Manages finalisation and audit of report and accounts for the Syndicate, UK companies and Luxembourg company in accordance with appropriate GAAP requirements and within required timescales.
Leads the process to review monthly financial results and balance sheet analysis. Provides analysis and commentary to the senior leadership team around key financial metrics and trends.
Responsible for monitoring, understanding and implementing emerging accounting developments under different regimes, and researching and presenting technical training and updates to the wider Finance team.
Responsible for leading the Finance Team’s ESG reporting and disclosure project in researching and documenting requirements. Ensures that all ESG requirements are effectively communicated to senior management and leads reporting workstream project.
Collation of GHG data for the streamlined energy and carbon reporting.
Liaison with the Chicago head office technical accounting function.
Other Responsibilities
Comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and ensure, at a level appropriate to the position that appropriate measures are in place to ensure this compliance.
Working effectively with all internal stakeholders and Finance teams in London, Chicago, Luxembourg and Norwich.
Leadership, motivation and development of a small team of accountants, including review of journals and monthly account reconciliations.
May perform additional duties as assigned.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA), at least 3-5 years post qualified desirable.
Background in external audit preferably from the “Big 4”.
Strong technical knowledge of insurance accounting (company market and/or Lloyd’s), Solvency II reporting and accounting principles.
Demonstrated understanding of business objectives and the market in which we operate.
Intellectual curiosity.
Demonstrate good analytical and problem solving skills.
Accomplished communication skills.
Management and leadership skills.
Ability to plan, organise and own role effectively.
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
Additional Information
Company Overview
CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We are part of CNA Financial Corp, the 8th largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance company. Established in 1897, CNA has approximately 7,000 employees, serving businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe. We offer a wide range of products and services, providing a superior suite of insurance solutions that any organisation conducting business requires.
CNA Hardy is an equal opportunity employer.
The Company
CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We offer a highly specialised and comprehensive portfolio of innovative and market leading products. Coverage is available to businesses of all sizes for domestic, international and global exposures.
