What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at Howden?
Why Join Howden US?
At Howden, we’re not just building a business- We’re rewriting the rules of what a global insurance broker can be. And now, it’s your turn to be part of something extraordinary. From three people and a dog to over 22,000 employees across 56 countries, we’ve grown into a $4bn revenue powerhouse with bold ambition: to become a $13bn business with 40,000 people by 2030.
We’re launching our US retail platform with the same entrepreneurial spirit that’s driven our success worldwide- and we’re looking for trailblazers to help shape the future.
Why Howden?
- You’ll Own It
- With 6,000 employee shareholders owning 34% of the company, our unique ownership model means you’re not just joining a team—you’re building a business you truly own.
- You’ll Be Empowered
- We’re a destination for talent where people are trusted to look after their clients and grow together. You’ll have the freedom to lead, backed by global scale and local expertise.
- You’ll Be Part of Something Bigger
- Our integrated platform spans broking, reinsurance, and MGA capabilities—giving you access to everything you need to deliver for clients and build something remarkable
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.
What is the role?
We are seeking a high‑caliber Senior Accountant with proven experience owning and executing the month‑end close process in a corporate environment. This role is designed for someone who knows accounting fundamentals cold, thrives in fast‑paced cycles, and wants to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly scaling business. You will work closely with the Controller and other members of the Finance team to support day‑to‑day accounting operations, monthly close activities, and financial reporting.
You will join the Miami-based US arm of a decades‑established global leader in insurance broking, now backed by private equity and expanding aggressively across the United States. In under a year, we have grown to 1,000 employees nationwide, with significant growth ahead. This is a rare opportunity to help build the finance function of a major US market entrant — and grow your career alongside it.
We want someone who is energized by meaningful, hands‑on work — especially during the month‑end close cycle — and takes pride in driving the process forward with accuracy and ownership. If you want more than a job — if you want responsibility, visibility, and the chance to make an impact — this is the place.
What will you be doing?
Month-End Close & General Ledger
- Take full ownership of assigned areas of the monthly close cycle, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.
- Prepare high‑volume, complex journal entries including:
- Payroll for a workforce of 1,000 employees
- T&E using Concur data
- Accruals (AP, operating expenses, commissions, etc.)
- New business startup costs
- Fixed assets and depreciation
- Perform a full set of balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring proper documentation and timely resolution of reconciling items.
- Review the trial balance, identify anomalies, and drive corrective actions independently.
Accounts Payable & Expense Management
- Process vendor invoices, employee reimbursements, and corporate credit card transactions.
- Review T&E submissions for accuracy and compliance with company policies.
- Ensure timely resolution of AP or expense‑related issues by coordinating with internal teams.
- Maintain organized AP records and support process improvements.
Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Extract data from financial systems to prepare recurring and ad‑hoc reports for senior management and executives.
- Assist in preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and analyses for internal and external reporting.
- Support audit requests by gathering documentation and ensuring completeness and accuracy.
- Work confidently with large, multi‑source data sets and complex Excel workbooks used to process journal entries and financial schedules.
- Apply advanced Excel skills (XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, nested formulas) to validate, reconcile, and streamline accounting outputs.
Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement
- Learn and adapt to evolving system integrations and new financial tools currently being implemented.
- Help document processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the general ledger structure and financial reporting workflows.
- Participate in ongoing system integrations, helping map processes, test data flows, and understand end‑to‑end impacts on the ledger.
- Gain exposure to:
- OneStream (global consolidation and reporting system) — prior experience helpful but not required
- Applied Epic (insurance broking system) — prior experience helpful but not required
Collaboration & Professionalism
- Work closely with finance leadership, FP&A, and operational teams to support business needs.
- Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow through to completion.
- Demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to high‑quality work.
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and solutions‑oriented team environment.
- Engage routinely with upper‑level management and executives, gaining visibility and influence early in your tenure.
- Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively — especially during close.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 3–6 years of accounting or combined accounting/audit experience, with direct involvement in the month‑end close cycle.
- Strong understanding of US GAAP, including revenue, leases, accruals, and expense recognition.
- Experience in high‑volume, multi‑entity environments; insurance brokerage experience is helpful but not required.
- Experience with general ledger systems; exposure to OneStream or Applied Epic is a plus.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy under pressure.
- A proactive, accountable mindset — someone who takes ownership, learns quickly, and drives results.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas). and comfort working with large, complex data sets.
- Familiarity with general ledger systems; experience with Oracle/Hyperion is a plus but not required.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
- Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within the Finance function.
- Legally authorized to work in the US.
Work Environment
- Location: US Headquarters in Downtown Miami
- Schedule: On‑site as needed during onboarding and key periods (e.g., month‑end close, executive visits), transitioning to a hybrid schedule once fully up to speed.
- Culture: Empowered, collaborative, positive, and growth‑oriented. We value people who take initiative, solve problems, and elevate the team.
Why This Role Matters
- This is a high‑visibility, high‑impact role where you will:
- Help build the finance function of a rapidly expanding US business.
- Work directly with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams.
- Influence processes, systems, and workflows during a period of major growth.
- Be recognized and rewarded for your contributions.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $110,000; 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
What do we offer in return? A career that you define.
Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges. And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.
Diversity and Inclusion At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality type’. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:
- Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
- We support each other, in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
- We are determined to make a positive difference, at work and beyond
We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect – regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.
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.
Salary : $90,000 - $110,000