Cash Allocation Specialist

Role: Cash Allocation Specialist

Location: Hybrid in Charlotte, North Carolina

Who are we?

Howden is a collective - a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 20,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There's no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That's Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It's what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities - work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you'll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

We are seeking a Cash Allocation Specialist in Charlotte, NC with a hybrid work schedule.

What is the role?

The Cash Allocation Specialist will provide accounting administration services for designated business units within Howden Specialty LLC, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with company and group policies. This role delivers accurate and timely execution of cash matching, payment processing, account reconciliations, supporting Insurance Broker Accounting (IBA) operations. It serves as a key escalation point, managing account queries, delivering high-quality service and stakeholder coordination across markets, clients, and internal teams. The role leverages data‑driven reporting to guide execution priorities, contributes to cross‑functional initiatives, and ensures strict adherence to compliance, governance, and regulatory requirements.

What will you be doing?

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure timely and accurate execution of cash matching, payment processing, and other technical transactions, with clear escalation protocols in place where required.

• Process IBA payment requests, complete cash matching, and reconcile accounts with markets and clients within agreed timelines.

• Forward Notices of Cancellation to relevant departments and actively drive follow‑through, including escalation where necessary.

• Resolve account and reconciliation queries efficiently and accurately.

• Provide operational support for U.S. Cashiering and Treasury activities as required; including approving payments and supporting with banking relationship escalations.

Stakeholder and Client Relationship

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, serving as an effective escalation point when needed; this includes supporting Private Client and Health & Benefits.

• Respond to business and customer requirements with agility, professionalism, and sound judgment, while upholding the highest ethical standards in all interactions.

Reporting & Projects

• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date system records and deliver accounting operations, KPI reporting, and management information.

• Use data‑driven insights to steer execution priorities, identify escalation needs, and communicate effectively through clear data storytelling.

• Lead assigned initiatives and actively contribute to cross‑functional projects.

• Perform account reconciliations with markets and clients, ensuring issues are identified, investigated, and resolved efficiently and accurately.

• Respond to account‑related inquiries promptly and in line with defined service standards.

Compliance, Governance & Market Awareness

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain accurate records and ensure HR and T&C documentation is current and properly authorized in line with internal processes.

• Monitor and assess regulatory and legal developments impacting IBA operations, implementing appropriate operational responses as needed.

• Stay informed of relevant legal, regulatory, and market changes affecting the role and the business.

What are we looking for?

Skills & Abilities

• In-depth understanding of the Bill-to-Cash lifecycle within an agency management system; hands-on Applied Epic tactical experience is highly desirable.

• Proven experience in accounting operations, preferably within an IBA or comparable agency environment.

• Experience leading and collaborating with offshore partner, developing relationship as full extension of on-shore team.

• Results‑oriented professional with the ability to execute independently, manage operational and accounting processes accurately, and deliver high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret, manipulate, and draw insights from financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and solutions.

• Solution‑oriented mindset, capable of prioritizing tasks, resolving issues efficiently, and escalating appropriately when needed.

• Proven ability to interpret, implement, and consistently enforce policies, procedures, internal controls, and governance requirements.

• Clear, confident verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate data into actionable insights and influence outcomes.

• Collaborative team player and role model, contributing positively across functions and supporting shared objectives.

• Self‑motivated with a proactive approach to learning and continuous improvement.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $80,000 - $100,000; actual base salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location. This role is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In addition to a competitive base salary, employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. Howden also offers a variety of benefits and programs, subject to eligibility, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including healthcare savings and reimbursement accounts

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Flexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leave

• Life and Disability insurance

Our sustainability promise

We're on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.