Level 3
Enforcement
Salary: £60,600
Permanent, Full Time
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) serves the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. We 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 where things do go wrong to ensure the proper operation of the market and confidence in the UK economy and the UK’s international
reputation as a great place to do business. Further information about the role of the FRC can be found at www.frc.org.uk.
As the UK Competent Authority for audit, the FRC’s Enforcement Division conducts investigations and takes enforcement action into breaches of audit standards under the Audit Enforcement Procedure (AEP). As the independent disciplinary body
for the accountancy and actuarial professions in the UK, the Division also undertakes professional disciplinary investigations and enforcement action under the Accountancy and Actuarial Schemes (the Schemes) 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 audit cases can be found here and for accountant and actuary cases here.
More information on the work of the Division can be found in our Annual Enforcement Review 2021
This is an exciting time to join the FRC. The Government’s consultation on proposed legislation to implement reforms which would see the FRC transformed into the new Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA) closed on 8 July and the responses
to the consultation will inform the draft legislation that government brings before Parliament. The proposed reforms include wider and more extensive enforcement powers for ARGA.
The Role:
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, in complex and often high-profile investigations under the Audit Enforcement Procedure, the Accountancy Scheme, and the Actuarial Scheme.
- Working in case teams comprising forensic accountants, other lawyers and legal assistants;
- 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;
- Instructing, working closely with and project managing counsel, independent experts and external solicitors;
- Assisting with preparation for Tribunal hearings;
- Providing high quality advice and analysis on legal and policy aspects of cases and of Enforcement Division work in general; and
- Monitoring case expenditure and case budgets.
The Person:
The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with experience of regulatory law and/or white-collar crime 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 organizer 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; and
- A good team player ethic.
The role will be based in our Central London office with virtual working from home during periods of restricted access to the office.
The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the team’s activities and also provide cover within the FRC as necessary.
Rewards and benefits
- The FRC offers competitive remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave plus 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 supports this commitment. We're a signatory to the Government's
Disability Confident scheme, which means that we guarantee an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role.
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 form is completed on a voluntary basis and we strongly encourage all job applicants to complete it.
Complete the Diversity Form here
Please apply by following the link our website https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers and uploading a copy of your CV and covering letter. In the covering letter, please set out, by reference to the person specification above, how you meet the required skillset.
- confirm that you have the right to work in the UK, and
- tell us where you heard about this job
Please note that we can only accept applicants who have the right to work in the UK.
The closing date for applications is 14th January 2022
Note to agencies:
FRC has a commitment to building relationships directly with candidates and only engages with agencies who are on our preferred supplier list to support us in sourcing quality candidates. We do not accept speculative CV’s from agencies that are not on our preferred supplier list. For any speculative or unsolicited CVs which are submitted without FRC instruction will be deleted and will not considered as an introduction.
