Trainee Accountant-Investment Back Office

Job Summary

Zurich Life Assurance Plc (ZLAP) are looking for a Trainee Accountant to work on the Settlements team, within the Investment Back Office area of the wider Finance Function. The Settlements team’s primary responsibility is to process investment transactions in a timely and accurate manner to facilitate the issuance of ZLAP’s unit linked fund prices, while ensuring that all of ZLAP’s cashflow obligations are met. 

This role may be available part-time or full time. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time.  Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

The role to which you are applying for is a “Controlled Function (CF)” within the meaning of the Central Bank Reform Act, 2010. 

Your Role

Your role will be to work as part of the Settlements team, helping ensure that all daily trade processing is accurately completed, that the ZLAP records are properly reconciled and assisting in the provision of information to the ZLAP Front Office. You will also get exposure to the other teams within the Investment Back Office – Investment Accounts, Unit Pricing, Investment Compliance, and Self-Directed. 

Overall responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Match security, FX and Money Market trades to counterparty records, and process to the ZLAP investment system within agreed deadlines.
• Reconciliations between the ZLAP investment system and custodian bank records.     
• Regular communication with counterparty banks and custodians to resolve trading issues.
• Counterparty bank / stockbroker set up and KYC reviews.
• Ensure all tasks and controls within Settlements are executed efficiently and effectively within our risk framework.
• Ad-hoc project work.
• Implementation of process improvements and control enhancements
• Liaise with other internal teams in Finance, Fund Administration, Actuarial and Group Reporting.

Your Skills and Experience

• A third level qualification in a course with a strong financial or mathematical content, such as Accountancy, Finance, Business or Mathematics
• Part qualified accountant, or a willingness to undertake an accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Strong Microsoft Office skills 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Relevant financial services experience is an advantage

Competencies and Behaviours

• Be well organised, self-motivated and capable of working to tight daily and monthly deadlines 
• Excellent attention to detail and numeracy skills
• A confident communicator, a versatile team player and a strong ability to work on your own initiative
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Positive and flexible attitude to change
• Customer focused approach

Additional Information

Primary work location is Blackrock. Position is Dublin-based. This is a hybrid role which will require 2-3 days in office (Blackrock) per week.

 
If you value an exciting and varied working environment and meet the above requirements, then our recruiter is looking forward to receiving your application by clicking on the button “Apply online”. 

Who we are 

Zurich is one of Ireland's leading insurance companies providing a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. The company employs over 1,000 people across its locations in Dublin and Wexford. 
Zurich is a strong brand – with our 53,000 employees worldwide form the basis of our success, helping our customers in 210 countries and territories to understand and protect themselves from risk. In order to deliver our services, we offer our employees flexible working models and interesting opportunities for further training & development. As a Zurich employee you benefit from a multitude of advantages as well as a strong culture, characterized by acceptance, diversity and team spirit. At Zurich, we foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our purpose and values are designed to protect, inspire confidence and help our employees reach their full potential. We value and defend what is right and promote opportunities for equity among our professionals, regardless of gender, disability, LGBTQ +, race, ethnicity, generations, belief, etc. Join Zurich and be part of this culture. Together we are committed to delivering on our purpose - Let’s Create a Brighter Future Together!