Head of Financial Reporting

The Head of Financial Reporting will lead and manage a finance function which will be responsible for the timely and accurate preparation and submission of accounts and financial statements to the executive management team, shareholder and regulatory authorities. 

Future challenges will include global reorganisation, the implementation and integration of various global initiatives into the Financial reporting function, whilst ensuring the continued accuracy of financial reporting in a dynamic and expanding organisation. 

Operating  within a matrix environment, the role reports  directly to the Regional Head of Accounting with a strong reporting line into the Finance Director in Dublin.

This position is based in Dublin and has responsibility for the leadership and management of the twenty-strong Financial Reporting team, including three reports at management level. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• The timely and accurate preparation, review and sign-off of monthly, quarterly and annual consolidated accounts for a number of entities in different jurisdictions, ensuring that current accounting standards are followed and meet Allianz Group standards;
• Develop capabilities and support the Financial Reporting team through complex and challenging deliverables including Global reorganisation and implementation of various global initiatives e.g. Automation and robotisation, reporting streamlining, Finance transformation using agile methodologies
• Responsibility for all aspects of financial reporting, tax and management accounting;
• Responsibility for quarterly and annual regulatory reporting including Solvency II; 
• Responsibility for the preparation and review of annual statutory accounts; 
• Responsibility for implementing and monitoring full internal control & risk environment within the financial reporting function; 
• Responsibility for performance management of the twenty-strong team; 
• Oversee month-end reconciliations and ensure issues are resolved  in a timely manner;
• Ensure successful completion of the annual internal and external audits;
• Prepare ad hoc reports for the Board of Directors;
• Liaise with the actuarial department in the accounts preparation process;
• Management oversight of the cash , liquidity and treasury functions within finance;
• Work with the finance business process review team to improve systems & simplify reporting, automate manual processes and implement robotisation for transactional activities.
• People management:
• Manage members of the financial reporting team, ensuring the company’s performance management and development policies are applied consistently. Complete annual individual objective-setting, including training plans, regular one-to-one meetings and year-end appraisals;
• Complete resource planning reviews on a regular basis. Participate in the recruitment and selection process of new employees;
• Support team members with their CPD and training requirements; 
• Maintain and encourage internal communication to facilitate an effective flow of information within the department. Support the management team in communicating company updates, policies and procedures, and announcements. Support the management team with regular team meetings and quarterly department review meetings.
• Strategic planning for forward-looking view in developing the financial reporting team for anticipation of future challenges, with both local and Group deliverables. 

Skills, abilities and competencies

• Third level degree and a professional accountancy qualification; 
• At least ten years’ post-qualification experience, gained in a financial services organisation or within the financial services audit department of a major accounting firm;
• Insurance experience, while not a prerequisite, would be a distinct advantage; 
• Strong IFRS knowledge is required;
• Experience of regulatory reporting;
• High degree of technical proficiency and level of comfort with a part manual / part automated financial reporting function; 
• Financial control experience (audit or SOX);
• Hands-on and managerial involvement in the preparation and delivery of financial reporting;
• People and team management experience will be essential;
• Strong Excel & Power Point skills;
• Personal competencies and strengths will include communication skills; leadership and team management abilities; a focus on quality and innovation. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a growing multicultural company, which is committed to empowering its employees and furthering their development. A competitive remuneration and benefits package will be offered, including healthcare, pension, life & disability, travel subsidy, discounts on home and car insurance, sports & social club and support for professional studies.