Accounts Assistant

Reporting to: Financial controller Department: Finance Location: Birmingham (Hybrid) - 2 days in the office Role Purpose: We are looking for an ambitious, accurate and detail-focused Accounts Assistant to join our Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to develop their finance career within a growing, specialist insurance business and gain practical experience across a broad range of finance activities, including accounts payable, cash management, bank reconciliations, payment runs, expenses, month-end close, audit, regulatory reporting, insurance accounting and financial controls. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of accurate, timely and well-controlled financial information across the ERGO UK Group. You will work closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider business, helping to ensure day-to-day finance processes run smoothly, financial records are maintained accurately, and deadlines are met. The role will suit someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in getting the detail right and is keen to learn more about finance within an insurance environment. You will be joining a supportive Finance team where you will have the opportunity to build strong foundations in accounting, develop your technical knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and controls. Responsibilities: Processing supplier and customer invoices accurately and on time, ensuring appropriate approvals, coding and supporting documentation are in place. Managing employee expenses and corporate card transactions, checking compliance with internal policies and following up on queries where required. Supporting weekly payment runs, including preparation, review of payment information and liaison with internal stakeholders to ensure payments are made efficiently and securely. Assisting with cash management activities and bank reconciliations, helping to ensure cash movements are accurately recorded, and reconciling items are investigated promptly. Supporting month-end close activities, including the preparation and posting of journals, accruals and prepayments. Preparing and maintaining balance sheet reconciliations, identifying differences and working with the Finance team to resolve outstanding items. Assisting with management information and financial reporting for internal stakeholders by ensuring data is accurate, complete and available within agreed deadlines. Supporting external audit requests by collating information, responding to queries and maintaining clear records of supporting evidence. Assisting with insurance accounting activities, including premium and claims postings, reconciliations and related reporting. Contributing to statutory, regulatory and IFRS 17 reporting processes by supporting data preparation, checks and reconciliations. Helping to strengthen financial controls, governance and risk management by following agreed processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency or accuracy. Supporting finance transformation, process improvement and automation initiatives as the Finance function continues to develop. Building effective working relationships across the business and providing support on ad hoc projects, analysis and wider Finance activities as required. About you: Previous experience in an Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant, Bookkeeping, Purchase Ledger, Accounts Payable or similar finance role. A good understanding of basic accounting principles, double-entry bookkeeping and the importance of accurate financial records. Strong attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately when processing transactions and preparing reconciliations. Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and follow tasks through to completion. Confidence using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications; experience with accounting systems would be advantageous. A proactive, curious and improvement-focused approach, with a willingness to ask questions, learn and develop. Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues across Finance and the wider business. A professional, reliable and discreet approach when handling sensitive financial information. Experience within insurance, financial services, a regulated environment, Sage, month-end accounting or working towards an accounting qualification would be beneficial but is not essential. What you’ll receive from us : Accountancy study support to help you progress towards a recognised finance qualification. Exposure to a wide range of finance activities, giving you the opportunity to build practical experience beyond transactional processing. Development in month-end reporting, financial controls, audit, regulatory reporting and insurance accounting. Opportunities to contribute to finance transformation, automation and process improvement initiatives. Support from experienced Finance colleagues, with the opportunity to learn from the Financial Controller, Head of Finance and wider team. A clear pathway for progression within the Finance function as your skills, confidence and technical knowledge develop. The chance to build your finance career in a growing insurance business with a collaborative and professional culture. Our benefits are designed to support and add value, offering recognition for your work and fair reward. We offer a range of benefits including hybrid working, life insurance, private medical cover and volunteering days. This role offers the opportunity to develop from a transactional finance position into a broader accounting role. You will gain hands-on experience across core finance processes, learn how finance operates within an insurance business, and contribute to the controls and reporting that support sound financial management. It is well suited to someone who is motivated to grow, enjoys working with numbers and wants to take ownership of their development. If you are proactive, detail-driven and keen to continue developing your finance career, we would welcome your application. Why ERGO? The ERGO brand is well-established in its target markets, supported throughout the year by Group A-rated securities and the strong economic ownership of ERGO Versicherung AG. ERGO UK Specialty continues to both secure profitable, sustainable business in the UK and Ireland and strengthen our capacity management and operational capabilities. This is leading to continued efficiencies through the drive for simplicity in products, processes and wordings. The client management of ERGO UK Specialty is focused on the acquisition of profitable business in close cooperation with its clients. ERGO UK Specialty is a leading expert in its chosen segments of its target markets through consistency, continuity and quality of capacity. We have been underwriting successful specialty business in the UK since 2001 and under ERGO ownership since 2013.