Syndicate Accountant

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.

We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.

Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

Role Purpose 

Applies specific subject matter expertise, related accounting principles and regulatory standards to effectively and efficiently carry out relatively high value/complex accounting activities within their discipline; providing relevant advice, guidance and approval in accordance with delegated underwriting authority limits, to meet business objectives 

Our Aspen Values are expected to be reflected in the delivery and performance of every role.

Key Results Areas

Streategy and Planning 

• Contributes to, monitors and advises on the plan developments and changes in order to ensure relevancy, compliance and optimal delivery 
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of the operational team plans to ensure these are in line with wider business strategy and reflect key priorities.
• Determines own work priorities and activities in line with agreed plans to ensure the achievement of the function’s objectives
• Benchmarking of delivery to plan objectives
• Management team feedback

Policy, Process and Procedures 

• Applies specific expertise to advise and guide others within the team, to ensure accuracy, good practice and adherence to prescribed standards
• Is responsible for a range of duties and, as an experienced practitioner, completes transactions, within a broader range of value and complexity (making decisions within authority limits) to ensure that operational processes and/or individual 
• Queries managed/resolved - and quality of advice provided
• Stakeholder feedback

Technical Perfromance 

• As a more experienced practitioner/finance professional,  applies technical knowledge of related accounting  principles (such as GAAP) to effectively and efficiently carry out slightly higher value/complex accounting activities, provide relevant advice, guidance and approval in accordance with delegated underwriting authority limits, to meet business objectives
• Prepares accurate and timely statutory and regulatory reporting outputs, ensuring the overall quality and completeness of formal returns and supporting audit trail (including preparation of
• Feedback on identifying and addressing client need
• Feedback on actively participating in client discussions and meetings

Knowledge 

• Extensive and relevant knowledge of financial discipline
• Specific subject matter expertise and knowledge of relevant Aspen finance systems, processes, other toolsets
• Understanding of service parameters and delegated authorities; including relevant operational goals/targets  - and how this role contributes to overall performance
• Discipline specific subject matter expertise and knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory requirements (including specific reference to e.g. GAAP, FCA/Lloyds regulation)
• Working knowledge of best practice accounting and regional accounting standards
• Knowledge of the market the company operates in and London Market Operations (Lloyd’s, IUA, LPSO, LPC etc).

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication, including presentation and technical writing skills.
• Teamwork – able to collaborate and work flexibly with others
• Able to coach less experience staff
• Able to work independently and autonomously with minimal supervision
• Ability to build strong business relationships across a global business
• Highly proficient in MS Office applications e.g. Excel and other discipline specific  software packages.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Research skills – maintaining awareness of emerging issues, including regulations, industry practices, and new technologies.
• A high level of numeracy and literacy
• Attention to detail 
• Effective time management, planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities to meet strict deadlines 
• Problem solving skills
• Customer orientation.

Experience 

• Broad experience of working in a finance environment within a complex multi national financial services business.
• Experience of resolving finance or accounting queries; and has experience of working with relevant specialist toolsets  or applications
• Has established customer/supplier relationships that are relevant to their role / specialis
• Degree level education (or equivalent) (And relevance of degree subject to role) is preferred
• It is expected that the incumbent is  qualified or is nearing completion of finance or accounting qualifications.

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate.  We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.