Head of Accounting (Insurance Sector)

Barbados’ leading general insurer seeks a strategic Head of Accounting to oversee finance, reporting, and audit at the executive level.

Overview: Our client is Barbados’ largest general insurance provider, writing business in all areas of general insurance including, Property, Liability, Accident, Motor, Marine, Aviation and Transit Insurance. They also offer insurance coverage for Individual and Group Life, Individual and Group Health, Annuities, Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Individual and Group Pensions. Due to growth, they are seeking to recruit a proven professional with key skills to perform this key strategic function.

As a key member of the Executive Management team, the Head of Accounting will report to the Chief Executive Officer and assume a strategic role in the overall financial management of the Company. The Head of Accounting will have primary direct responsibility for financial reporting and accounting, treasury, and audit.  This role will bring experience leading high performing teams combined with proven business savvy and superior statutory and IFRS knowledge.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct the financial reporting and accounting, month end close, treasury and internal audit processes.
• Manage the team’s responsibility for all aspects of accounting including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing,
• General ledger entries, bank reconciliation, credit card expense report reconciliation, collections and payroll.
• Prepare and present timely and accurate financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, statements, and other financial performance metrics internally and externally.
• Manage financial reporting relationships with regulators, auditors, and board of directors.
• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts.
• Lead the Corporation’s processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidation through to Board approval.
• Direct and develop global accounting policies, practices, procedures and initiatives.
• Advise management of potential changes in accounting regulations or practices that may impact operations and reporting.
• Attend Board of Directors’ meetings and other committees’ meetings, as required.
• Develop and manage financial and accounting systems to achieve the strategic objectives of the company.
• Lead the accounting team with a culture of accountability
• Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Review and ensure the accuracy of financial statements.
• Lead the team to research technical accounting issues for compliance.
• Document and develop business processes and accounting policies to strengthen internal controls to ensure compliance with GAAP/IFRS and applicable local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting thereby ensuring the Corporations compliance with statutory reporting obligations.
• Provide executive management with advice on the financial implications of business activities.

DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of a professional accounting designation (CGA, ACCA, CA, CPA or similar designation).
• Formal training in Accounting Management.  
• Broad knowledge of general accounting principles, practices and procedures.
• At least (10) ten years’ post-graduate experience in a financial leadership role preferably in the Financial Services, Insurance or public accounting industries.
• Previous experience in an insurance environment would be preferred.
• Possesses in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of general accounting principles, practices and procedures. 
• Possesses excellent knowledge of IFRS.
• Is proficient in Microsoft Office Suite-able to perform complex calculations in Excel and product high quality documents and presentations for external stakeholders. 
• Ability to analyze and report on financial data to support strategic decision-making.
• Ability to use (or learn to use) different financial software platforms to input and extract useful financial data.