Purpose of the Role:
Arachas is Ireland’s largest nationwide insurance broker employing 750 people in multiple offices across the country. Arachas is part of the Ardonagh Group which is a diversified insurance distribution platform which ranks as a top 15 insurance broker globally. Ardonagh operates globally across 5 platforms in the UK, Europe, APAC, LATAM and its specialist London Wholesale market business. It places $18Bn of insurance premium annually, generating c. £2.0Bn of income. It is owned by funds managed by HPS Investment Partners, Madison Dearborn Partners, Stonepoint Capital Partners, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, management and employees. Arachas forms part of the Europe platform.
The Head of Finance is a key role in Arachas and will report to the Arachas CFO and be responsible for leading the company’s reporting and controllership function which coordinates and drives best practice control environment, internal and external financial reporting for the Arachas Group entities.
The ideal candidate will have over 5 years in a senior financial management role with a proven track record of leading finance teams, strengthening internal controls, optimising reporting frameworks, and partnering with executive leadership to drive financial performance and governance excellence.
Arachas is highly acquisitive and has integrated a large number of businesses over the last 7 years. The Head of Finance must coordinate the Finance integration activity of newly acquired entities, ensuring acquisition accounting is completed, and alignment of finance reporting and compliance processes.
The position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work as part of a large Group with a growing European operation.
Location: Sandyford, Dublin 18
Reports To: CFO
Key Internal Relationships: Arachas Leadership team, Arachas Finance Team, Ardonagh Europe Controller, Ardonagh Group Controller, Ardonagh Group Technical Accounting Team, Compliance Team, Internal Auditors
Key External Relationships: External Auditors, External Advisors
Role Accountabilities and Core Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with company goals.
Lead the financial reporting, tax and statutory compliance functions.
Oversee monthly and quarterly reporting, making sure that Arachas adheres to strict deadlines.
Ensure compliance with IFRS and regulatory requirements.
Strengthen internal control framework and risk governance processes.
Manage external audit relationships and statutory reporting.
Drive finance transformation.
Integration of acquired entities, coordinate the integration activity of the finance reporting, compliance and operations functions.
Working closely with the M&A and FP&A teams to ensure key milestones of the integration plan are achieved.
Collaborate with internal and cross functional teams.
Liaise with external advisors and Group tax, technical and reporting teams.
Deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with the Business on accounting related matters.
Lead and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous professional development.
Qualifications and Experience:
Degree level educated (or equivalent).
IFRS, UK GAAP, Dynamics365, Tagetik
Microsoft Office skills to intermediate level
Professional Certification – ACA/ACCA/CIMA with industry experience
Over 5 years of experience in a senior financial management role
Experience with reporting under FRS 101
Key Role Accountabilities:
Strong knowledge of the financial systems.
Good analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
Understanding of regulatory and audit requirements.
Ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to meet relevant deadlines of the Group and platforms.
Ability to promote and positively react to change.
Effective written and oral communication skills to communicate complex issues simply and being able to collaborate with different platforms effectively to resolve the issues.
Ability to build strong relationships/rapport for liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to apply existing skills to other tasks as required.
Analytical and problem-solving skills required to recognise and solve problems / issues when they arise.
Able to present information in a concise, efficient, and professional manner to senior management.
Strong relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
Person Specification:
Effective communication skills, written and oral
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Initiative, proactivity, enquiring approach, resourcefulness.
Adaptability, ability to embrace and respond positively to change.
Analytical and investigative skills, logical reasoning and problem-solving skills – individually and collaboratively.
Ability to work to tight timelines.
Integrity and assertiveness when dealing with complex / business critical issues.
Flexibility of working practices, priorities and hours to meet business demands.
