Financial Accountant

Location: Sydney, NSW, AU

Are you a sharp, detail-oriented accountant with a passion for financial reporting and a curiosity for what's next in technology? Swiss Re is looking for a talented Financial Accountant, preferably with IFRS 17 experience to join our Life & Health (L&H) Finance team in Sydney. This is your opportunity to work at the heart of a globally respected reinsurance organisation, contribute to meaningful financial outcomes, and be part of a team that genuinely embraces innovation and continuous improvement.

About the Role

As a key member of the L&H Finance team, you'll play an important role in the accounting and reporting activities of Swiss Re's Australian and New Zealand operations. This is a dynamic, multi-faceted role that spans general ledger management, regulatory reporting, statutory financial statements, and intragroup retrocessions — all within a highly global and diversified environment. You'll have the chance to collaborate with finance colleagues across multiple locations and make a real impact on how we work, including through AI-enabled transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Prepare quarterly and annual regulatory returns, in accordance with IFRS 17, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant standards
• Prepare annual statutory financial statements for both Australia and New Zealand
• Maintain the general ledger, including consolidation activities and month-end trial balance reviews
• Review reconciliations and monitor intragroup retrocession arrangements
• Support the preparation of the APRA business plan and coordinate with external auditors for interim and year-end audits
• Assist with outsourcing controls to support compliance with CPS 230
• Provide ad hoc support to the broader L&H Finance team as required

Process Improvement

• Evaluate, challenge and enhance existing financial processes and systems to drive efficiency and reliability
• Implement leading practices in process design, automation and systems utilisation
• Support finance transformation initiatives, including the adoption of AI-enabled workflows
• Maintain compliance with internal controls, governance standards and corporate policies

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors and cross-functional teams
• Communicate clearly and professionally with senior management and other key stakeholders
• Build strong working relationships to support the delivery of finance and transformation objectives

About the Team

The L&H Finance team at Swiss Re is a collaborative, forward-thinking group dedicated to delivering high-quality financial reporting and driving meaningful process improvements across the organisation. Based in Sydney, the team supports Swiss Re's Life & Health operations across Australia and New Zealand, working closely with finance colleagues around the globe in a truly international environment.

At Swiss Re, we offer modern working arrangements that support our people in adapting to evolving work preferences. You'll enjoy an attractive office environment and a competitive benefits package, including 25+ days of annual leave, 15 days of personal leave, flu vaccinations, and annual health checks. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion across our organisation.

About You

You are a motivated, commercially minded accountant who brings both technical expertise and a genuine enthusiasm for innovation. You thrive in dynamic environments, communicate with confidence, and take pride in the accuracy and quality of your work. You're curious about emerging technologies — particularly AI — and are always looking for smarter ways to do things. You manage competing priorities with ease and bring a proactive, ownership-driven mindset to everything you do.

We Are Looking for Candidates Who Meet These Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline, with a professional accounting qualification (CPA or CA) preferred
• Experience in insurance or reinsurance accounting, ideally within life insurance financial reporting and experience with IFRS 17
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with sound decision-making skills in complex financial environments
• Proficiency in general ledger management, including reconciliations, consolidation activities and regulatory reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams

These Are Additional Nice to Haves:

• Experience with APRA regulatory reporting and familiarity with CPS 230 compliance requirements
• Exposure to finance transformation projects, including automation and AI-enabled workflows
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to building relationships across teams and locations
• A curious and continuous improvement mindset, always looking to challenge the status quo and implement better ways of working
• Demonstrated ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple deadlines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• High ethical standards and a strong sense of personal integrity

Applications for this role will close on 18 June 2026. We look forward to your application!

Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week.

You must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to apply for this role.

Swiss Re offers modern working arrangements that allow all employees to adapt to changing work preferences. We currently provide employees with attractive offices, competitive benefits such as 25 days annual leave, 15 days personal leave, flu vaccinations and annual health checks.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.