Acquisition Accountant - Corporate & Commercial

From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success. People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.At Howden - Corporate & Commercial, commercial insurance isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are. We support our clients through the complex landscape of commercial risk. We understand the diverse needs of businesses from large corporates to emerging ventures, meticulously crafting bespoke solutions to empower businesses to navigate uncertainty and achieve unwavering growth. Our depth of commercial insurance expertise allows us to protect client’s assets and fuel their progress. When our clients prosper, we celebrate success with them; when challenges arise, we provide unwavering support.We are looking for an Acquisition Accountant to join our growing Finance Team. Reporting to the Head of Shared Service Centre, the purpose of this role is to provide robust financial control to the business at an exciting phase of development and growth.This hands-on role will be responsible for the successful integration of new acquisitions into the Group including ownership of integration and initial reporting.Responsibilities:Overall responsibility for the integration of all finance activities for new acquisitions.Key finance contact to support with all finance integration related activities.Ensure that any queries raised in relation to Finance & Accounts are fully understood.Ensure that all outstanding issues identified throughout the due diligence process are resolved.Integrate monthly reporting into core management accounts process in accordance with the group timetable.Control of working day one income reports in the initial months.Review of acquired businesses accounting policies, identification of variances to group policies (eg. revenue recognition) and make recommendations for alignment.Review of recently acquired entities internal controls and initial assessment of control environment.Implementation of group controls in acquired entities.Overall responsibility for the successful integration of the recently acquired businesses, including but not limited to:Business transfer agreements implemented in line with defined process.Registering the entity for VAT pre business transfer.Supplier communication.Managing the handover of any agreed activities which move to group Finance Team.Calculating the balance sheet at acquisition date and business transfer date.Assisting with preparing the relevant accounting entries for the business transfer of the acquisition.Where the trade of the acquired business is moved to a different legal entity, overall responsibility for the winding down and eventual liquidation of the legal entity, including but not limited to: Running off the client account and associated debtor and insurer creditor balances.Closure of bank accounts.Clear down of balance sheets.Final tax calculations.Dividends.The group team will be responsible for the technical legal aspects of this liquidation.To succeed in this role, you will also have/be:A qualified Accountant with at least 3 years PQE.Strong analytical and numerical skills with a keen eye for detail.Excellent relationship skills - able to operate effectively at all levels of the organisation and with external suppliers and partners.Experience working across multiple areas, platforms and software systems due to the business integration currently being underway.Vision to identify and implement further process improvements to simplify and streamline future integrations.Our Culture: People FirstWe’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:• An employee-ownership model • Aligned external investors• The trust and integrity born of friendship• Expertise• IndependenceOur focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention. Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone. Diversity & InclusionAt Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.Permanent