Forensic Accountant

Financial Reporting Council Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Financial Reporting Council Limited (FRC) is seeking a Forensic Accountant Level 3 to assist in the investigation of breaches of regulations and misconduct by accountants, accountancy firms or actuaries in the UK.

The role involves working with limited supervision on small to medium investigations and supporting senior forensic accountants on the largest cases. Candidates should have 2–5 years of directly relevant forensic accounting experience and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with experience and expertise in forensic investigation (indicatively, 2-5 years of directly relevant experience).
• Expertise in conducting complex financial investigations involving review and analysis of high volumes of material and complex financial data.
• Experience in planning and conducting technical interviews of senior individuals.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in the investigation of breaches of regulations and potential misconduct by accountants, accountancy firms or actuaries.
• Casework support across small, medium, and large investigations under supervision of senior forensic accountants.
• Prepare objective reports of investigation findings and coordinate with external counsel as needed.
• Liaise with other regulators and ensure deadlines for investigation work are met.

Skills

Forensic accounting

Investigations

Interviews

Data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Chartered Accountant

Tools

Electronic review platforms

Job description

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) purpose is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work. We monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. Further information about our role can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

The FRC’s Enforcement Division is the independent disciplinary body for the accountancy and actuarial professions in the UK. It undertakes complex professional disciplinary investigations and prosecutions in cases involving accountants, accountancy firms and actuaries which raise important issues affecting the public interest in the UK.

Many of the investigations are large, complex, and high-profile and our cases regularly require liaison with other investigators including the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Insolvency Service, and the Pensions Regulator. Examples of recent case outcomes can be found here.

More information on the work of the Division can be found in our Annual Enforcement Review.

The role involves assisting in the investigation of breaches of regulations and potential misconduct on the part of accountants, accountancy firms or actuaries.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Casework:

• Working with limited supervision and supporting more experienced forensic accountants on small and medium sized complex investigations, and supporting Senior Forensic Accountants on the largest and most complex investigations.
• Supporting determination of avenues of enquiry; using expertise to identify sources of evidence and requesting provision of documentation and information.
• Using forensic skills to determine the approach to the review and analysis of all material obtained, including prior experience in the use of electronic review platforms.
• Responsible for undertaking personally significant or complex areas of an investigation under the supervision of more experienced forensic accountants and Senior Forensic Accountants.
• Supporting identification and working with internal experts to clarify relevant accounting, audit, actuarial or professional standards, and ensuring the case team has a thorough understanding of technical issues.
• Exercising some degree of judgement in different areas of casework, including identifying and prioritising key issues.
• Supporting case team in preparing and conducting disciplinary interviews with subject partners and external lawyers.
• Supporting case team in the preparation of an objective report of investigation findings to form the basis of instructions to the expert and external counsel and of further action on the case.
• Supporting case team in meeting deadlines for investigation work and working with the case lawyer to meet deadlines for the case as a whole.
• Supporting case team in liaising with other regulators in sharing information.

Other accountabilities:

• Supporting identification of areas where processes and best practice for investigations can be improved and developed and working with Senior Forensic Accountants, Director of Forensic Accounting and Enforcement Division management in agreeing and implementing these.
• Managing own time efficiently and prioritising tasks across multiple cases and non-casework as necessary.
• Some degree of involvement in broader divisional management, such as leading or supporting projects within the Enforcement Division and/or supporting projects or groups with the wider FRC.

The Person:

The role requires a very high degree of specialist skill and expertise. Individuals holding this position are expected to operate with minimal supervision and support more experienced forensic accountants on small and medium sized complex cases, and Senior Forensic Accountants on the largest and most complex cases; exercise some degree of judgement in different areas of casework; and take sole responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the work product.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

• Qualified accountant with experience and expertise in forensic investigation (indicatively, 2-5 years of directly relevant experience).
• Expertise in conducting complex financial investigations involving review and analysis of high volumes of material and complex financial data.
• Experience in identifying sources of evidence and determining the approach to the review of material, including experience in the use of electronic review platforms.
• Experience in planning and conducting technical interviews of senior individuals.
• Experience in being able to marshal unfamiliar and complex financial concepts and expertise (written and oral) in communicating the results of investigation to a non-accounting audience.
• Understanding of the requirements of a regulatory disciplinary process.
• Understanding of audit.
• Experience in being able to identify and prioritise key issues, and recognise valuable lines of enquiry.
• Ability to remain calm and act in a professional manner at all times.
• Determination and self-motivation to pursue complex and difficult cases, and ability to prioritise tasks across multiple cases.

The Forensic Accountant Level 3 position at the FRC is one which develops over time with increasing levels of responsibility in the handling of cases, and involvement in larger and more complex cases commensurate with the individual’s increasing experience and skill.

In terms of forensic accounting and investigation issues, the Forensic Accountant is the member of the case team with a moderate level of expertise and may be expected to be a valuable sounding board for more experienced forensic accountants or the Senior Forensic Accountant.