The Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) 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 are the UK Competent Authority for audit. We also set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing, and actuarial work. We monitor and take enforcement action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. Further information about our work 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 our 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
To work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, in complex and often high‑profile investigations under the AEP and the Schemes. The role includes:
* Working in case teams comprising forensic accountants, other lawyers and legal assistants.
* Taking responsibility for progressing discrete areas in the case.
* Assisting in planning case strategy and driving investigations forward.
* Working with forensic accountants to review complex accountancy, actuarial and audit material.
* Collating, analysing and preparing evidence.
* Assisting Senior Lawyers with and leading in relation to some aspects of the appointment and management of external resources, including working closely with and project managing external counsel, independent experts, external solicitors and electronic data management providers.
* Assisting with preparation for and attendance at Tribunal hearings.
* Carrying out and reporting on research regarding legal and policy aspects of cases and of Enforcement Division work in general.
* Assisting and advising on aspects of policy / project work and apprising colleagues of developments, including legislative change.
* Drafting documents, collating and preparing evidence and assisting with disclosure.
* Monitoring case expenditure and preparing case budgets.
* Supporting the development of more junior colleagues.
The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the team’s activities and also provide cover within the FRC as necessary. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement. This means full‑time employees will spend at least four days per fortnight in the office, pro rata for part‑time employees, and any arrangement will be agreed between the employee and their line manager.
The role is based in our Birmingham Office. Some travel to our London Office will be required from time to time.
The Person
The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister from within the public sector or private practice, with experience of regulatory law and/or white‑collar criminal and/or commercial litigation. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
* Excellent legal and analytical skills;
* Excellent written and oral communication skills;
* A strong intellect and good judgement;
* A good organiser with effective trial management skills;
* Determination and self‑motivation to pursue matters and make fair and robust legal decisions;
* Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines;
* Enthusiasm for conducting important regulatory work in the public interest;
* A good team player;
* Solicitor or barrister qualified to practise in England & Wales with at least 2 years post‑qualification experience.
Rewards and Benefits
* The FRC offers remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave, ability to buy extra leave.
* Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.
* Staff Employee Assistance Programme including confidential counselling and work‑life services.
* The FRC offers staff the opportunity to save at least 25% on the purchase of a new bike through the Cycle to Work scheme.
* The FRC has a strong work/life balance ethos.
The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to being an inclusive employer. Our values of being fair and independent support this commitment. Equal opportunities monitoring is an important means of demonstrating and implementing our commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and diversity. Completing our diversity form will assist the FRC to identify any barriers that prevent access to employment and career development for certain groups of people, and to develop solutions, such as action plans, new policies and practices.
The FRC is a Disability Confident Employer and we welcome applications under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme from disabled people as defined by the Equality Act 2010 that meet the minimum requirements for the role. To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme.
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