Financial Controller

We’re looking for a Financial Controller, Hamilton Select.

Reporting into our Chief Financial Officer of Hamilton Select, this role will be based in the US, preferably in the New Jersey tri-state area or Richmond, Virginia. The Financial Controller will work as part of our growing US operation and provide dedicated support to our local CFO and President of US Excess & Surplus (E&S) as we grow our presence in the US and the E&S market.

With the support of a team in Richmond Virginia, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to hire and build out the team over the next few years. The Financial Controller's primary responsibility will be to oversee the US accounting and reporting operations to ensure the integrity of financial information and reports, specifically the preparation of management accounts and various consolidated reporting requirements. In addition, the role will oversee our Agency Accounting team that is responsible for the billing and collection of Select's premium receivables and loss deductibles. The position requires working closely with other teams and the Group generally as a trusted business partner and collaborator.

Hamilton Select is our US excess and surplus lines insurer based in Richmond, Virginia underwriting hard-to-place accounts in the small and middle-market space through an appointed wholesale broker network.

What you will help us do

• Accountable for the accurate and timely completion of management information and financial reporting
• Review and analyze all investment-related transactions
• Prepare and analyze quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with US Statutory and US GAAP accounting
• Work across teams to project manage systems implementations, upgrades and automation initiatives focusing on the integrity of the financial data, processes and controls
• Maintain accounting policies & procedures and ensure financial statements and underwriting-related transactions are prepared in accordance with US Statutory and US GAAP accounting
• Prepare internal monthly management reports and analyze actual results to plan
• Assist in the preparation of the Company’s annual financial plan
• Prepare financial information as needed for the company’s various boards and committees as required.
• Manage and ensure regulatory filings for financial returns at a State level are complete, accurate, and timely filed
• Ensure appropriate internal controls are in place and being adhered to toward the integrity of financial information and the safeguarding of the Company’s assets
• Maintain the Company’s general ledger, assessing technology utilization in the financial processes and developing annual plans for development on key application systems
• Manage daily treasury function ensuring timely settlement of the Company’s obligations and investment of cash balances in applicable investment vehicles
• Manage the month-end close process - including coordinating with the Underwriting and Operations teams, working with the offshore team to review & post journals, resolve queries & complete all reconciliations
• Coordinate and ensure that interfaces with Finance and the creation of financial processes are established for new products, lines of business and related initiatives
• Liaise with the claims team in line with claims payment processing and case reserving changes when needed
• Engage with the actuarial team to ensure the timely and accurate recording of the Company’s claim reserve liabilities in the financial ledger in accordance with external regulatory reporting requirements
• Manage the day-to-day relationship for the US businesses with internal and external tax advisors and auditors. Assess audit issues, communicate appropriately with senior management, and resolve key recommendations.
• Direct finance staff reporting to the role, including training, career development, performance objectives and evaluation, recruitment and staff retention
• Liaise with the Group finance team - assist in the coordination of global projects and provide suggestions for improvements in global finance operations
• Assist with production of management accounts - including oversight of cash reconciliations, prepaid assets, expense accruals and reconciliation of inter-company accounts
• Ensure the validation and payment of 3rd parties regarding brokerage/claims etc.
• Oversee the accounts payable process, working with the offshore team - including reviewing of invoices, approving banking templates and releasing payments
• Review the monthly allocation model for group intercompany recharges
• Monitor aged debt, write-offs and exception reports and work to resolve outstanding issues
• Work with/respond to queries from the Financial Planning & Analysis team on variance analysis and planning/forecasting
• Assist with cash flow forecasting

What you require for the role

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent qualification
• Demonstrable post-qualification experience gained in a similar role within a re/insurance company or within the practice of auditing (re)/insurance companies
• In-depth knowledge of US Statutory and US GAAP accounting
• Good knowledge of relevant re/insurance accounting treatment and investment accounting
• Some prior experience and knowledge of the E&S Insurance/Reinsurance market and regulatory requirements are preferable but not essential
• Proven ability to project manage system implementations and improvements and to develop automation processes
• Commitment to collaboration, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to customer service and collaboration, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong problem-solving skills and initiative to investigate issues and recommend solutions
• Prior experience in SUN GL system desirable, or willingness and commitment to achieve proficiency in the near-term
• Advanced MS Excel skills and the ability to navigate complex spreadsheets
• Ability to work with and hold accountable external vendors/partners to identify and resolve issues
• Ability to work under pressure, meet challenging deadlines and respond to changing priorities
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to organize and motivate geographically spread-out team members to deliver information on a timely basis
• Ability to work independently within a small team, with an emphasis on accuracy and timeliness
• A commitment to adopting technology to increase process efficiencies
• Strong work ethic with superior organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Ability to partner and work across functional areas to achieve organizational goals

What you can expect from us

We offer a vibrant, entrepreneurial, and collaborative culture guided by our values: Be Smart, Be Sensible, Be Open and Be More.

We know if we welcome and respect differences, we’ll attract and retain talent that brings a valuable diversity of perspectives and experience. We want all our colleagues to feel that they can bring their whole selves to work at Hamilton and know that they can be part of building a great company.

Hamilton offers a competitive salary with an annual performance-based target bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, to include:

• Hybrid working
• Matching 401K plan
• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability
• Generous time off (including parental leave)
• Continued support for professional development
• Gym subsidy
• My day (additional days leave for personal interests/wellness/charity work)

In Good Company

Hamilton (NYSE: HG) underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance risks on a global basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Its three underwriting platforms: Hamilton Global Specialty, Hamilton Select and Hamilton Re, each with dedicated and experienced leadership, provide access to diversified and profitable business around the world.

Headquartered in Bermuda, Hamilton has over 600 employees with key underwriting operations in London, Bermuda, the US and Dublin. We work collaboratively, we share a passion for the service and results we deliver, and we know that what we do each day is meaningful – to our customers and our business. We believe we are ‘In good company.’ with everyone we interact with.