We are looking for a Senior Legal Accounts Investigator

The Insitute of Legal Finance & Management; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Legal Accounts Investigator

Closing Date: 28 April 2025

Company: Solicitors Regulation Authority

Role: Senior Legal Accounts Investigator

Type: Full Time

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £43,427 to £51,090.59 subject to knowledge, skills and experience

We are looking for a permanent Senior Legal Accounts Investigator to join us.

About the team

We regulate solicitors and law firms in England and Wales and have statutory power to close down a firm when it is in the public interest. This is known as an intervention. Most law firms hold money on behalf of their clients. When we intervene into a firm, we take possession of any money the firm holds and its accounting records. We then investigate who that money belongs to so that we can return it to them.

We do this by inspecting the firm’s accounting records. Unfortunately, these are often incomplete and unreliable, and in some cases may have been tainted by the misrepresentation or dishonesty of the intervened solicitor. Therefore, we also have to look for any other information that might help us establish who the money belongs to.

About the role of Senior Legal Accounts Investigator

As a Senior Financial Investigator, you will be responsible for working as part of a team to investigate financial records and identify who client monies should be returned to. You will attend interventions, identify and analyse relevant financial information, liaise with staff and clients of the intervened firm, and engage with internal colleagues. You will present your findings and recommendations accurately and make decisions on the distribution of the money we have taken possession of (Statutory Trust). You will be prepared to justify your recommendations to our formal decision makers and adjudicators.

You will also oversee the work carried out by our panel solicitors, known as agents, working collaboratively with them to achieve the efficient and cost-effective distribution of the Statutory Trust. You will provide them with technical direction, development, and support. This is a hands-on role where you will have opportunities to provide feedback to colleagues at all levels.

To succeed in this role, you will be able to analyse and unpick complex numerical data sets, have the ability to manage, motivate and support others, be confident in engaging with stakeholders at all levels, and seek to inspire best practice. This role also requires excellent time and workload management, along with strong interpersonal skills and a keen eye for detail. The role will require occasional short notice travel and the occasional overnight stay.

What’s in it for you

• Showcase your analytical, problem solving, and investigative skills
• Supervise and monitor outsourced work
• Develop strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Be part of a team that protects the public and upholds public interest

What we are looking for

• Familiarity with accounting principles, ideally in a legal environment or within a law firm.
• Experience of conducting investigations, preferably in a financial context.
• Ability to analyse large quantities of information and draw clear, evidence-based conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team on a high and varied workload.
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt in a constantly changing environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with customers and stakeholders.

Useful and additional information

There is a full role profile attached to the bottom of this advert on our website. Internally, this role is known as Senior Financial Investigator. If you have any questions that aren’t in this advert or on our website, please contact us via: [e-mail]. This is a hybrid role and will be based in our Birmingham office 1 to 2 days a week, and from home the rest of the week.

To Apply:

Please click ‘apply’ to complete the online application form and upload CV and cover letter, addressing how you meet the essential requirements outlined in this advert and the attached role profile.

To find out more about the recruitment and selection process and how to make the most of your application, please visit our jobs pages. Closing date for applications is 28 April 2025.

Previous applicants to this role within the last six months will not be considered.