Assistant Accountant

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man 

Closing date for applications:  29th April 2025 

The opportunity: 

We are seeking an Assistant Accountant to join our team. This position offers a chance to gain a wide range of experience within the Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) Team. Your responsibilities will include the preparation of management accounts, statutory accounts, and regulatory returns for internal review by the FAR management team. As our team aggregates and analyses data from various group companies, you will acquire comprehensive business knowledge and technical expertise in accounting for both insurance and non-insurance sectors. Additionally, you will assist other areas of finance and support business projects as required. 

This is a full-time position that requires flexibility to work additional hours when necessary to meet reporting deadlines and ensure timely delivery of tasks, with overtime being paid accordingly.

Key responsibilities: 

• Assist in the preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts for multiple group companies. 

• Participate in the preparation of annual statutory accounts. 

• Help prepare quarterly regulatory returns. 

• Contribute to the compilation of monthly and quarterly IFRS information for submission to the Group Head Office. 

• Aid in the development of accurate and detailed financial analyses. 

• Collaborate with various departments and group functions. 

• Offer broader support to the finance department, including ongoing projects. 

• Prepare, review, and analyse variances on reconciliations. 

Your skills and experience: 

• Prior experience in a similar finance role. 

• Part qualified ACCA or ACA or qualified by experience.

• Strong excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formula creation).
• Experienced in interpreting and applying accounting standards, such as either UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) or International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Supervisory experience is a plus, though not essential. 

• Solid understanding of MS Office; SAP knowledge is a plus.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication abilities. 
• Ability to investigate variances and provide meaningful commentary to senior management.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with a systematic work approach. 

• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks effectively and meet tight deadlines. 
• Willingness and flexibility to work additional hours to meet reporting deadlines and deliver tasks on time.

• Capacity to work independently as well as part of a team. 

• Highly motivated with a proactive mindset. 

• Willingness to take responsibility and ownership of tasks. 

• Exceptional attention to detail. 

Who are we?
We are Zurich International Life!  
 
We support our fellow business units who provide life and savings products to markets around the world.  Based out of the Isle of Man since 1982, Zurich has built a strong reputation as a reliable, dependable yet innovative insurer and regularly receives recognition and awards from the industry.   

This role is based in our state-of-the-art Isle of Man office alongside a further 380 employees at this location.
 

Please take a look at the video for an insight into Zurich: 
https://players.brightcove.net/5768412917001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6318953386112 

Our culture:       

At Zurich on the Isle of Man, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion. We want our people to bring their whole selves to the workplace and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, race, gender or sexual identity, beliefs, or culture. We are committed to treating all our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability, or any other protected characteristic.    
 

We have an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.       
 

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.    
 

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.