Purpose of the Role:

This role will report to the Group Head of Financial Controls and be responsible for work involved in the following, subject to competing priorities and the development of the role over time:

1. Support in the enhancement of a Group-wide financial control framework that will be mandated across all Ardonagh Platforms and aligns with the requirement of the Group’s accounting and financial reporting requirements.
2. Execute the quality assurance programme by using an Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) test plan each financial year ensuring that will provide Group oversight on the design and operating effectiveness of controls managed by Ardonagh Platforms & Group.
3. First review of the attestations completed by the Platforms for ongoing compliance to the Group’s ICFR framework.
4. Provide remediation support of all issues raised, either through the ICFR review process or external auditors, and ensuring that there are action plans and target deadlines to resolve the issues.

Duties will include;

• Internal Control enhancement:
  • Work with cross-functional teams to identify and assess areas of risk and control deficiencies.
  • Lead periodic risk assessments and control evaluations to identify gaps and recommend improvements.
  • Draft and maintain risk and control matrices, process documentation, process flows etc. in line with Ardonagh policies and industry standards.
  • Provide hands-on support to finance teams in implementing new controls and remediation exercises.
  • Provide technical support to new acquisitions in implementing Ardonagh’s internal controls framework.
  • Provide input on standardisation of controls, effective use of MI from Ardonagh’s Risk Management System, apply best practice approach in assessment of controls.

• Assessment of effectiveness of internal controls:
  • Monitor and ensure quarterly assessments of ICFRs are completed by the Platforms attesting to the effectiveness of the Platform’s internal controls.
  • Review the attestation reports submitted by different Platforms within the Group to ensure accuracy and completeness.
  • Set up management testing working papers, evidence gathering requirements and sample sizes to execute design and operating effectiveness review of financial controls.
  • Coordinate with platforms on key testing meetings e.g. opening, closing, remediation etc. and be first point of contact for any management testing programme queries.
  • Perform detailed walkthroughs on management’s controls, review control documentation, follow up on pending items and complete working papers.
  • Write up control findings and deficiencies and discuss them with finance stakeholders.
  • Lead specific control workstreams such as balance sheet reconciliations, Purchase Order compliance, Travel & Entertainment claims.
  • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address any discrepancies, non-compliance issues and potential vulnerabilities in the control environment and implement corrective actions as needed.

• Internal / External Audit Collaboration:
  • Provide necessary documentation and support to auditors during their reviews and assessments.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Periodic financial control deficiency tracking and remediation progress review.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation of internal control processes, procedures, and assessments.
  • Prepare and present periodic reports to the Group Head of Financial Controls, highlighting the status of internal controls and any areas requiring attention.
  • Support in maintenance of Ardonagh’s risk management system for accurate and timely reporting.
• Training and Awareness:
  • Facilitate training programs and materials created by the Group Head of Financial Controls to enhance awareness and understanding of internal controls throughout the Group.
• Ad-hoc tasks
  • From time to time, the Group Head of Financial Controls will require ad hoc tasks to be completed by the Financial Controls Manager, including review of process documentation, providing data for the Group Audit Committee.

Key Role Accountabilities:

• Functional Knowledge/ technical knowledge:
• Strong knowledge of internal control frameworks and relevant regulatory requirements that will affect the control framework.
• Good analytical, problem-solving and project management skills
• Understanding of regulatory and audit requirements
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to meet relevant deadlines of the Group and Platforms.
• Ability to promote and positively react to change.

• Business Expertise:
• Effective written and oral communication skills to communicate complex issues simply and being able to collaborate with different Platforms effectively to resolve the issues.
• Ability to build strong relationships required for liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to challenge and inquire the Platforms based on their quarterly attestations and independent controls testing.
• Ability to apply existing skills to other tasks as required.

• Driving continuous improvement and innovation:
• Analytical and problem-solving skills required to recognise and solve problems / issues when they arise.
• Able to present information in a concise, efficient and professional manner to senior management.

• Building self-insight & relationships:
• Strong relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Education – Degree level educated (or equivalent).

• Specialised Knowledge – IFRS, UK GAAP, Internal Controls

• Microsoft Office skills to intermediate level

• Professional Certification – ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Experience - internal controls/internal framework/internal audit with experience and exposure to SOX environment preferable.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• ACA or equivalent overseas, fully qualified, with 2+ years post-qualification experience.
• Internal control, internal audit, including SOX & COSO experience and exposure.
• Effective communication skills, written and oral.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Initiative, proactivity, enquiring approach, resourcefulness.

• Adaptability, ability to embrace and respond positively to change.
• Analytical and investigative skills, logical reasoning and problem-solving skills – individually and collaboratively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Integrity and assertiveness when dealing with complex / business critical issues.
• Flexibility of working practices, priorities and hours to meet business demands.

Desirable:

• Regulatory rules applicable to UK insurance brokers.

• Microsoft Excel skills to advanced level, including lookups, pivots, macros and modelling.

Experience in using Visio and creating process maps.

The Company

In an industry that never stands still, neither do we. The Ardonagh Group was founded in 2017 and has grown to become the UK’s largest independent insurance distribution platform and a top 20 broker globally.

Our best-in-class entrepreneurial and specialist brands span a network of 150+ locations worldwide and have a combined workforce of more than c.10,000 people. Across our portfolio, we offer a highly diversified range of insurance-related products and services across the full insurance value chain in the UK, Ireland and broader international markets.

From complex multinational corporations to individuals purchasing personal insurance policies, our understanding of the communities we serve, together with our scale and breadth, allows us to deliver a broad range of product and risk solutions to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market.

If you approach life with a sense of adventure you might just find what you need at Ardonagh to bring your ambition to life.

Find out more about Ardonagh’s world of opportunity on LinkedIn or visit www.ardonagh.com.

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