Finance Accounting and Reporting Expert

Finance Accounting and Reporting Expert

Place of work: Cracow

Job purpose:

Zurich’s Group Finance Data Management team is centralizing and streamlining finance data and reporting, creating a single source of truth and enabling smarter, more efficient processes. As part of our team, you’ll help maintain and enhance our Group Chart of Accounts, ensuring data quality and supporting business needs worldwide. Additionally, you will be diving into the world of Zurich Common Operational Chart of Accounts, ensuring all its settings in GFC and the FDM tool are aligned and of the highest quality. You will work closely with the business to understand process gaps related to master data and act as an advisor to various stakeholders across the Group.

Responsibilities:

Group Chart of Accounts:

• Manage chart of accounts, validations and metrics change requests end-to-end for Group Finance covering all Group GAAPs, IFRS, DE GAAP, Swiss Solvency Test, Solvency II and Swiss Local Statutory and Regulatory for external and internal reporting needs. This includes:
  • Validation of incoming change requests and review accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
  • Collaboration and support of Group key stakeholders and Business Units along with the change request process.
  • Support the approval process in the Data Governance Board.
• Change request management within our Finance Data Management Tool and support changes/improvements/enhancements utilizing incident management and escalation processes when necessary.
• Provide regular support as a subject matter expert and business analyst for projects, initiatives, and country specific customer demands.

Common Chart of Accounts (CoA) management:

• Maintenance of Zurich Operational Chart of Accounts (Z CoA) for Zurich globally from the perspective of accounting rules and reporting requirements: 
  • application of changes in the accounting standards (IFRS, FINMA, local GAAP) into Z CoA.
  • analysis and potential application of CoA changes triggered by requests from the countries.
  • responsibility for the correctness of the CoA structure and content resulting in potential Clean-up activities.
  • coordination of the technical implementation of changes into the SAP platform.
• Support Z CoA activities for SAP Convergence Roll-in Projects (countries joining SAP platform).
• Maintain relationships with Zurich Business Units from all over the world (EMEA, LATAM, APAC) to improve the qualitative parts of the financial accounting/reporting due to impacts from the Z CoAs management.
• FDMT (EBX) maintenance/testing:
  • Prepare/review user stories and cooperate with FSM & DBI teams to enhance the tool/ eliminate inconsistencies.
  • Review and sign off test cases.
  • Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and regression testing if needed. 
• Execute and document controls within the ICFR framework, support external auditors, and provide guidance to team members.
• Participation and support in strategic projects related to Master Data.
• Transform projects into stable BAU (Business as Usual) mode.
• Cooperation with all internal stakeholders i.e., other Master Data, IT, Group Reporting & Consolidation and Accounting Policy teams, BU accountants, FSM / FIP Team, PPM Team.
• Lead by example, support the DFDM Team Manager, and assist team members with day-to-day and ad hoc queries.

Candidate's profile:

• University degree - finance and accounting, economy
• At least 5+ years of experience in Finance (insurance industry as an asset)
• Advanced levels of Finance knowledge e.g., IFRS accounting and reporting / performance management reporting / data management.
• Robust skills in chart of account management, ideally with a proven record of delivery
• Analytical skills, passion for detail, reliability, “can do” attitude, goals driven, flexibility
• Experience in Office tolls, in particular advanced Excel, SAP FICO etc.
• Practical and hands-on mind-set.
• Effective communication (English, written and spoken) and analytical skills, transformation and agile mind set underpinned by a strong team spirit.

 We offer:

• Real life opportunities to develop and grow with us and contribute to the world around us.
• Competitive salaries, language allowance and an employee benefits package that includes among others medical insurance, life insurance and sport-card.
• Annual bonus depending on company annual results and individual performance.
• Wide range of learning programs and personal development opportunities including also possibility to apply for up to 80% of educational trainings reimbursement.
• Referral awards.
• Online fitness trainings.
• Hybrid work possibility.
• Nice and friendly atmosphere.

 Who we are:

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience. Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together’, Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil. The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.

In March 2016 we established a Shared Service Centre in Kraków, in Poland to support our global strategy. It is from this location that we have created a global shared service platform, focusing on advanced business functions such as financial accounting and reporting, planning and performance management, ICFR testing, financial systems management as well as HR integrated talent management operations.

This role is related to the key area of Zurich’s activity in Kraków. We are committed to complete the recruitment process as soon as possible, however in some occasions it may take up to 6 months and the requirements for the position may be subject to some clarification or modification during the recruitment process.