At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate financial records and ensure client money is returned accurately.
- Company: Join the SRA, a key regulator in the legal sector.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a supportive and inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by protecting public interest and upholding justice.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial investigations and familiarity with accounting principles.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
You can find out more about our interventions work by clicking here.
About the role of the Legal Accounts Investigator
Internally, this role is known as Senior Financial 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.
If you have any questions that aren’t in this advert or on our website, please contact us via: recruitment@sra.org.uk
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
DO NOT COMPLETE THE FORM ON THIS PAGE. Click the \\\”Apply\\\” button, below.
Please click ‘apply’ button below 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 29 September 2025 at 09:00
Previous applicants to this role within the last six months will not be considered.
Essential
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- 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.
The SRA is the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, protecting consumers and supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. We do this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards.
We offer an inclusive, supportive and friendly working environment and the chance to develop your career within a professional organisation. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of staff, helping everyone to strike a good balance between personal and professional life.
Additionally, we provide a generous flexible benefits package, an excellent defined contribution pension scheme and an additional 3% of annual basic salary upon successful completion of probation.
Equal opportunities and inclusivity
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do. We are actively committed to promoting and participating in good practice in the way that we attract, recruit and retain staff. Everyone is encouraged to bring their whole self to work because we value a truly diverse workforce, including differences in age, disability, gender identity and expression, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.
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Senior-Legal Accounts Investigator – SRA employer: Association of Legal Compliance & Accounts
Contact Detail:
Association of Legal Compliance & Accounts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior-Legal Accounts Investigator – SRA
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and financial sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to financial investigations and accounting principles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you showcase your analytical skills and experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving abilities during interviews. Bring examples of past investigations where you had to analyse complex data sets. Highlight how you made evidence-based conclusions that led to successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the public interest.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior-Legal Accounts Investigator – SRA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior-Legal Accounts Investigator role. Highlight your experience with accounting principles and investigations, and show how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to analyse complex numerical data sets. We want to see examples of how you've drawn evidence-based conclusions in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Professional: When communicating in your application, keep it clear and professional. Remember, you’ll be engaging with stakeholders at all levels, so demonstrating strong communication skills from the get-go is key.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! Click the 'Apply' button and follow the instructions to complete your online application form. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Association of Legal Compliance & Accounts
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your accounting principles, especially those relevant to the legal sector. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied these principles in past investigations, as this will show your familiarity with the financial context of the role.
✨Showcase Your Investigative Skills
Prepare examples of previous investigations you've conducted, focusing on how you analysed complex data sets and drew evidence-based conclusions. This will demonstrate your analytical prowess and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for the Senior-Legal Accounts Investigator role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about times when you’ve successfully communicated with various stakeholders. Be ready to share how you managed these relationships and what strategies you used to ensure clear and professional communication, as this is key in liaising with clients and colleagues.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork
Reflect on experiences where you had to adapt to changing environments or workloads. Highlight your ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as this role requires a balance of both skills to effectively oversee outsourced work and support your team.