Forensic Accountant Investigator
Department: Wholesale and Unauthorised Business Investigations
Division: Enforcement and Market Oversight (EMO)
1. Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £43,100 to £57,000 and London £47,300 to £63,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
2. This role is graded as: Associate – Level 8 – Regulatory
3. Your recruitment contact is Steve Christopher via k. Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.
About the FCA and team
We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services.
Enforcement & Market Oversight (EMO) is responsible for the FCA’s responsibilities for market monitoring, delivery of the functions of the UK Listing Authority (UKLA) and the investigation and prosecution of misconduct using the whole spectrum of criminal, civil and administrative sanctions and remedies against firms and individuals.
Sitting within the Enforcement & Market Oversight Division, the Wholesale and Unauthorised Business Investigations (WUBI) Directorate safeguards market integrity and consumer confidence by investigating serious misconduct and unauthorised activity in wholesale markets, working closely with domestic and international partners to deliver a coordinated response to financial crime and market abuse.
Role responsibilities
4. Conducting clear analysis of financial information and translating complex findings into accessible insights, enabling senior stakeholders to make informed decisions
5. Managing varied investigative responsibilities across both smaller standalone cases and larger collaborative matters, contributing to effective case progression
6. Advancing a demanding portfolio of investigations by gathering evidence through appropriate tools and powers, supporting timely and robust outcomes
7. Producing high‑quality written outputs, from witness statements to statutory notices and update papers, ensuring clarity of communication with subjects, legal representatives and witnesses
8. Conducting interviews under a range of legal formats and selecting the most suitable approach, enhancing the evidential basis of each investigation
9. Working closely with external legal advisors through challenging discussions, applying balanced legal and factual analysis to support sound decision making
10. Preparing and presenting well reasoned recommendations to internal committees, enhancing the rigour and credibility of case assessments
11. Building constructive relationships across internal teams and external bodies, while supporting colleagues through guidance, oversight and coaching to enhance collective capability
Skills required
Minimum:
12. Professionally qualified Forensic Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification), with experience in areas such as serious fraud, complex financial crime investigations, regulatory proceedings, or complex litigation and disputes
13. Demonstrable experience analysing large volumes of information, identifying key findings and producing high quality written reports with clear, evidence‑based recommendations
14. Prior experience delivering both oral and written presentations and managing a varied and demanding caseload through to completion
Essential:
15. Ability to plan and develop lines of inquiry, including analysing financial information such as financial statements, management accounts and audit papers
16. Skill in presenting financial analysis clearly and accurately and explaining complex or unfamiliar accounting concepts to non‑specialist audiences
17. Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues in other business units and with external stakeholders
18. Work collaboratively and inclusively with colleagues with different perspectives and backgrounds
19. Ability to deliver clear, logical and persuasive oral and written presentations on complex issues
Benefits
20. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
21. Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors)
22. Non-contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary
23. Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance
24. 35 hours of paid volunteering annually
25. A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle
For a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.
Our values and culture
Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.
If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support.
We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part-time and job sharing where applicable.
Disability confident: our hiring approach
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.
Useful information and timelines
Timeline:
26. Job advert closes: 13th April 2026 at Review/Shortlist: 15th April 2026
27. Interview: w/c 27th April 2026
28. Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.