Senior Finance Officer- Insurance Industry

Responsible for overseeing the company’s accounting operations and ensuring tax compliance. This role includes maintaining accurate financial records, preparing and filing tax returns, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations, and providing strategic tax planning guidance

Accounting & Reporting

• Assist in the Preparing and ensuring proper consolidation of financial data for group-level reporting.
• Participate in implementing all financial aspects of the strategic plan and achieving associated objectives.
• Collaborate to manage and maintain the business planning and budgeting process, including budgets, capital expenditures, budget monitoring, and forecasts/run rates.
• Assist in providing a comprehensive range of financial accounting and reporting services for profitability assessment across various segments (MM, CC, Branch, Line of Business, Channel, and selected agents).
• Support in Review of various schedules for external and internal reporting requirements, including the monthly management accounts pack, NIC prudential reports, financial reports for board meetings, tax computations, and annual financial statements.
• Aide in the Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with group, statutory, regulatory, and IFRS 17 requirements.
• Assist in analyzing and assessing the reporting impact on the organization, developing strategies to ensure compliance with new reporting (IFRS 17) and disclosure requirements.
• Coordinate, develop, and update written policies and procedures related to the financial reporting process.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues at all levels to ensure commercial priorities, financial targets, and disciplines are well understood and adhered to.
• Generate monthly cost statements comparing actuals against budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze and interpret financial information.
• Monitor and interpret cash flows and forecast future trends.
• Assist in conducting reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.
• Assist in the Maintenance of a robust fixed assets management system.

Tax Compliance and Filing

• Support all tax compliance processes, including the preparation, review, and timely submission of tax returns (corporate income tax, VAT, payroll tax, and other relevant taxes).
• Ensure accuracy in tax filings and adherence to local, national, and international tax regulations to prevent penalties or legal issues.
• Assist in the Development and implementation of effective tax strategies to optimize the company’s tax position while remaining fully compliant with applicable tax laws.
• Identify and mitigate potential tax risks by establishing strong internal controls and monitoring changes in tax regulations.

Strategic Support, Advisory and Other Duties

• Work closely with other departments (e.g., Actuarial, Underwriting, Marketing) to provide financial guidance and support for business initiatives.
• Support the of Conduct pre-audits of insurance and non-insurance payments and supplier requisitions to ensure they are within budget before approval for payment.
• Ensure the finance team remains informed about financial reporting best practices to continuously improve reporting quality.
• Relates with the Sales and Distribution Team with regards to prompt tracking of funds received from customers
• External relationships with banks, brokers, governmental institutions
• SSNIT, GRA, NPRA, Internal and External Auditors, Financial Institutions.
• Maintain contact with NIC & GIC to stay up to date on industry trends.
• Responsibility over the company’s assets.

Understanding of accounting principles, practices, regulations, and procedures related to financial reporting and Tax.

• In-depth understanding of financial regulations and compliance of General Insurance Business, including regulatory requirements.
• Financial reporting in compliance with IFRS and regulatory requirements (including IFRS 17)
• Budgeting
• Conversant in NIC provisions and prudential reporting
• Tax Compliance
• Accounting system software (e.g., Sage, ERP etc.)
• Skilled in data processing techniques for accounting systems. (e.g., Sage, ERP etc.)
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, with intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with Premia Integrated software is a plus.

Requirements

• Agility in decision making.
• Integrity and accountability
• Ability to effectively supervise and manage a team.
• Proficient in managing the performance of subordinates.
• Foundational team leadership skills to foster team development, minimize conflicts, and manage team dynamics.
• Team collaboration
• Strong people skills.
• Adaptability to change and diversity.
• Agility in cognitive reasoning
• Personal credibility and self confidence
• Results oriented.
• Time management
• High integrity, creativity, and good interpersonal ability
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in accounting
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business administration or a related field
• Qualified Accountant or Partly qualified with ICAGH, ACCA or its equivalent.