Finance Specialist

Job Summary:

Support the production and delivery of accurate, timely financial and regulatory reporting for a general insurance business. Working within the Finance & Accounting team, this role spans monthly close activities, preparation of management and statutory accounts, regulatory submissions, and analysis of underwriting and financial results — with close collaboration across Underwriting, Claims and IT.  

Key Responsibilities:

1. Monthly Close & Financial Control 

• Execute period-end close activities in line with the agreed timetable, including trial balance review, journal posting and sub-ledger to GL reconciliations. 
• Perform closing checks across key balance sheet accounts — premium debtors, unearned premium reserve (UPR), claims provisions, reinsurance balances and suspense accounts. 
• Prepare and post accruals, prepayments and reinsurance entries, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the general ledger at each period-end. 
• Maintain and update the close control checklist; escalate unresolved items with clear documentation of financial impact and proposed resolution. 
• Support the year-end audit process, preparing audit schedules, reconciliations and responses to external auditor queries. 

2. Management Accounts & Reporting Packs 

• Prepare monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow for the general insurance entity or business units. 
• Produce finance packs for the CFO, ManCom and Board, incorporating commentary on performance against budget, prior year and rolling forecast. 
• Report GI-specific metrics — gross written premium (GWP), net earned premium (NEP), loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio — with segment-level breakdowns by line of business. 
• Collaborate with Claims and Consulting Actuary to ensure claims reserves, IBNR and liability movements are accurately reflected in management accounts. 
• Maintain and improve standard reporting templates, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort at each close cycle. 

3. Statutory, Regulatory & IFRS 17 Reporting 

• Assist in the preparation of IFRS4 and IFRS 17-compliant statutory financial statements. 
• Support preparation of all regulatory reports required by the Insurance Commission, SEC, BSP. 
• Maintain consistency between IFRS 17 accounts, Solvency returns and management accounts, identifying and explaining any bridging items. 
• Prepare Companies Act annual report disclosures under IAS 1, IFRS 9 and IFRS 4 and 17, ensuring compliance with current accounting standards and regulatory guidance. 
• Coordinate with external auditors and the Appointed Actuary on the audit of insurance contract liabilities and actuarial assumptions. 

4. Analysis of Financial Results 

• Perform monthly variance analysis on income statement and balance sheet lines, identifying and explaining movements against budget, prior period and forecast. 
• Analyse underwriting performance by line of business, investigating drivers of claims frequency and severity, large loss impacts and reinsurance recoveries. 
• Provide analytical support to Finance Business Partners, FP&A and Underwriting teams to facilitate informed business decisions. 
• Prepare ad hoc financial analysis and modelling to support strategic projects, pricing reviews, business planning cycles and regulatory enquiries. 

5. Systems, Data & Process Improvement 

• Serve as the Finance point of contact for issues arising from policy administration, claims and actuarial data feeds into the general ledger; liaise with IT to investigate, resolve and document fixes. 
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce close cycle time, improve data quality and strengthen the control environment. 
• Maintain procedural documentation for all core reporting processes, ensuring resilience and continuity across the team. 

Job Skills And Qualifications: 

• Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy 
• Certified Public Accountant is an advantage but not preferred. 
• At least 2 years or more professional experience, preferably in financial analysis or management accounting or in a similar role. 
• Advanced Excel capabilities 
• Knowledge of basic non-life insurance and Investment Accounting 
• Highly organized with attention to detail 
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and deliver results on time under pressure 
• Good written and verbal communication skills