Assistant Forensic Accountant in Birmingham

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 10 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include: Carers Network, Disability & Health, FACES Network Group, Grass Roots, LGBT+, Mind Matters, No Limits, Part Time Workers, The Shed, and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, job share and flexible ways of working in this role. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities. The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

Investigation and Enforcement Services (IES) directorate aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.

As an Assistant Forensic Accountant, you will support the lead Forensic Accountant in establishing the forensic accounting capability, manage complex investigations, and provide authoritative advice. You will shape case strategy, ensure evidential standards, and act as a factual witness in court. You will also mentor junior colleagues and contribute to policy development and best practice across the agency. You will help establish the agency’s forensic accounting capability and lead high level financial analysis within complex investigations, providing expert insight that shapes case strategy and supports legal proceedings.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct forensic analysis of financial records to evidential standards and present findings clearly.
• Evaluate financial records (statements, books, working papers, banking info).
• Provide analysis of financial records, transactions and systems to evidential standard.
• Advise investigation teams on analysis and further avenues of review.
• Reconstruct accounts and advise on accounting, auditing, and compliance with Companies Act and UK GAAP.
• Prepare independent reports and/or witness statements in line with Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules.
• Act as witness of fact in court proceedings.
• Brief Counsel and other stakeholders on factual findings during case conferences ensuring robust understanding of evidence-backed financial analysis and complex financial issues.
• Critically analyse, identify and author responses to defence accounting evidence including areas of contention for use in court proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with disclosure obligations and evidential standards.
• Formulate and design technical lines of inquiry for investigative interviews; provide technical expertise during interviews to challenge or validate testimony against financial data.
• Partner with investigative teams to execute asset tracing and benefit quantification for restraint and confiscation orders.
• Manage relationships with investigation teams, lawyers, and counsel.
• Manage and oversee external forensic accounting engagements from the pre-appointed panel, acting as a point of contact to scope requirements, monitor delivery and alignment with investigative findings.
• Maintain professional integrity and adherence to your accountancy body’s code of ethics.
• Mentor and guide junior members of the team fostering capability and professional standards.