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 for Enforcement cases can be found here.
More information on the work of the Division can be found in our Annual Enforcement Review 2025.
The Role:
This is an important advisory role, which helps to support delivery of the Enforcement Division’s objectives. The Senior Audit Advisor will help to ensure that investigations and enforcement action are conducted efficiently, effectively and to the highest standard. The Senior Audit Advisor will provide audit expertise to support the Enforcement Division’s casework and case strategy in complex and often high‑profile investigations under the Audit Enforcement Procedure and Accountancy Scheme. The role will involve advising across a portfolio of investigations and enforcement proceedings handled by multi‑disciplinary teams of forensic accountants, lawyers, and legal assistants.
The role includes:
* Assisting in identifying issues of potential non‑compliance with the regulatory framework, including Auditing, Ethical and Quality Control Standards and Audit Regulations
* Assisting investigation case teams to determine key focus areas at commencement of an investigation
* Liaising with forensic accountants and lawyers during the investigation and advising on any change in focus or additional lines of enquiry
* Reviewing sections of complex audit files and aspects of firm‑wide policies and procedures as necessary
* Drafting reports/advisory memoranda for case teams or external advisors as required to explain complex accounting or auditing issues
* Advising case teams on the seriousness/significance of breaches identified
* Assessing the reasonableness of judgements made by fellow audit professionals on cases under investigation
* Advising case teams of issues requiring external expertise
* Considering the external expert’s initial conclusions and providing insight on possible areas for clarification or expansionHelping investigations to progress in a fair and professional manner
The Person:
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with substantial recent experience at director level or above, including acting as Responsible Individual, in the audit of listed and other public interest entities across a range of sectors. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the competencies set out below:
* Strong technical auditing and accounting skills
* Strong written and oral communication skills, including drafting reports/memoranda on individual investigations to be used by internal case teams and external advisors
* Skilled at explaining complex accounting and auditing concepts in an easily comprehensible manner to a non‑accounting audience
* Self‑reliant and able to work independently to take sole responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the work product
* Skilled at challenging the judgements and quality of work performed by engagement partners and other members of the audit teams whose files are subject to investigation, including the largest and most complex audits
* Excellent project and time management skills to complete assignments within the timetable set and meet a complex series of deadlines for the different stages of an investigation
* Ability to provide valuable and timely input into drafting precise and challenging questions for audit team members, for either written or oral questioning
* Good understanding of the requirements of a regulatory or disciplinary process including a thorough understanding of the difference between the requirements of audit and investigation
Previous experience working with, or acting for, a regulator or disciplinary body would be an advantage.
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