Background AXA Personal Lines is a newly launched division of AXA Group responsible for over £1.4 Billion premiums in Personal Insurance products in the UK. Our products are distributed direct to our customers through our brand, our corporate partners and also via Swiftcover.com, the 100% online insurance provider. We have an opportunity for a Finance Expense Controller to provide cost management expertise to assist the AXAI Personal Lines executive in setting and delivering the company’s Expense targets. This role is to cover maternity and will be for 6 months initially. It may be extended to a maximum of 12 months based on business needs. The role Financial Analysis and Business Partnering. Work with other members of the wider Expenses Team to enhance the Executive Committee’s (ExComm’s) understanding of AXAI’s cost base and provide detailed analysis to support strategic decision making, e.g. cost reduction programmes and cost management decisions. Accountable for the provision of financial management expertise to control, support and challenge the cost base of AXAI (Personal Lines). Drive the development of insightful reporting and analysis of AXAI’s expenses and ensure that it supports the management and control of AXAI’s cost base. Educate cost centre managers to ensure they are fully self-serving and promote a cost control culture. Support and challenge Cost Centre Managers in the production of robust budgets/forecasts for AXA Insurance and commentaries to explain key variances to budget/forecast and prior year. Develop insightful monthly commentaries through liaison with the business to explain emerging real variances, and where necessary, the proposed action to address. Also to justify any timing variances that may arise and indicate when they are expected to reverse. The timely identification and escalation of key issues/risks likely to materially impact the financial result of AXA Insurance Performing ad hoc reviews of proposed expense changes, including the Authority to Recruit (ATR) process and providing recommendations to line manager on whether the proposed changes should proceed and the impact they will have on Expense Management. Regularly review and seek improvements to the Expense Management and Control processes. Skills, knowledge and behaviour Education: Qualified Accountant or qualified by experience. Experience: Suitable post qualification experience within an insurance organisation or suitable relevant experience to an equivalent level of competence; Strong working knowledge of financial/accounting processes and understanding of accounting principles; Skills & Knowledge: Strong communication skills and an ability to influence key staff and be assertive when appropriate Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify important issues at an early stage Proven ability to work to tight deadlines Determination to overcome barriers and see issues through to a resolution A self-starter who is able to plan and prioritise their work independently Proactive, energetic and versatile with a “can do” attitude Integrity to handle highly confidential data Commercial acumen and very strong analytical skills. Able to interpret complex information (which may contain uncertainties and/or contradictions) and identify implications for the business; Can work successfully in a fast moving and pressured environment including proven task management skills during peak periods; Ability to communicate with and influence people at senior management (to Executive Committee) level across the business. Thinks originally, able to come up with new ideas or solutions to solve problems; Ability to prioritise workload and focus on activities to meet operational requirements and deliver most business value;