Avp, Finance, Australia

AVP, Finance, Australia (12 month contract)

**Job Title**
AVP, Finance, Australia (12 month contract)

This role will be a member of the Australia Finance team responsible for supporting the VP, Finance & Actuarial in delivering on the financial reporting affairs of the Australia business unit. The role requires a good understanding of the statutory, regulatory and technical accounting issues in the insurance industry.

The role will be primarily involved in delivering the external reporting requirements of the Australia business across the multiple bases of reporting including US GAAP, Australian IFRS, LAGIC, Bermudan Monetary Authority regulatory reporting and Economic Capital bases. The role will also be heavily involved in finance projects affecting Pacific Life Re's financial reporting in respect of the Australian portion of the company's in-force business, including the US GAAP targeted improvements (LDTI) implementation project.

The role is broad in nature and includes payroll, tax compliance (GST, Payroll Tax, Corporate Tax, transfer pricing), board paper preparation, writing technical accounting papers under various basis, external auditor liaison and various risk management activities. You will be involved in a variety of finance projects affecting the Australia business unit, including

USGAAP targeted improvements (LDTI) implementation, and process optimisation/ global consistency.

The individual will collaborate with colleagues both onshore (other functions including Operations and Actuarial) and offshore (Division Centre based in the UK) to effectively and efficiently implement strategic projects. This role does require some out of hours calls with the group finance team based in the UK.

**Duties**:
Be responsible for:

- Producing accurate and timely financial information for statutory and regulatory reporting purposes. Reporting is produced under the following accounting bases: US GAAP, LAGIC, AIFRS, BMA and Economic Capital.
- Driving Finance delivery of key deliverables including financial statement close process, payroll and tax responsibilities ((IAS, payroll tax, BAS, transfer pricing, FBT, corporate income tax returns).
- Maintaining an effective financial control function with a focus on risk management.

Lead Australia business unit's local implementation of new accounting standards, working with broader implementation project teams where appropriate. This will include:

- Providing technical support on new local accounting and regulatory standards (LDTI, AASB S1/S2.
- Collaborating with other departments (Operations & Corporate Actuarial) to ensure work is coordinated efficiently and effectively, and new transactions are properly set up in relevant systems.

Support key business unit strategic projects where Australian-specific analysis and input are required.
- This will include working with front office to design products that are optimised from a business perspective and across the back office.
- Manage effective networks and demonstrate excellent communication across PL Re to ensure delivery of the project according to agreed upon timeframes.
- Support finance process improvement projects, working with the Financial Accountant to standardize and automate financial reporting processes.

Lead and develop a high performing Financial Reporting team.

**Qualifications & Experience**
- Chartered Accountancy qualified or equivalent.
- At least 10 years' experience in financial services financial reporting, ideally with technical accounting experience.
- Strong understanding of the Australian accounting framework, APRA prudential regulations, and Australia taxation framework including corporate tax and GST.
- Ability to think of solutions and improve the way things are being done/ challenge the status quo. Track record designing and implementing finance process and control improvements.
- Experience in Insurance and / or Life Insurance (IFRS 17, LDTI) strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

**Working For Pacific Life Re**

Every person in our global team is valued for the unique qualities they bring to our business and we seek to build their expertise and support their individual ambitions at every step. Of course, we take our work seriously and we know our team can operate under great pressure. We work hard and thrive on achievement, but we also know how to have fun and relax too. We regularly host a range of team building days to strengthen our team's connection with each other and reflect on their successes.

Providing employees with a healthy work-life balance is very important to our culture. We have a wide range of employee benefits and we host regular social activities and well being initiatives. We are also committed to supporting our employee's involvement in their communities, by actively fundraising, hosting charity events and overseeing volunteering opportunities.

**Benefits**
- Group Income Protection
- Gym Membership
- Employee Assistance Program (Access EAP)
- Dexus