Forensic & Investigation Associate Director in Manchester

At Grant Thornton we do things differently—looking to the future, driving ambitious growth, and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax, and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. We empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture, and work‑life balance.

New ground won’t break itself. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities achieve their goals. Ranked Band 1 Forensic Accountants by Chambers and Partners, our full‑service practice includes dispute resolution, investigations, contentious valuations, competition monitoring, data analytics, corporate intelligence, and corporate risk and assurance capabilities. As part of an international network, we work alongside colleagues across the globe and have access to expertise across our full‑service practice, including colleagues with deep sector experience.

You will work as part of our growing and diverse team which is passionate about understanding the issues that are important to our clients. Being part of a national team, with colleagues based in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, London, and Manchester, presents an opportunity to work across the UK as well as further afield, and you’ll be supported to develop your career.

You will get the opportunity to utilise your accountancy skills on a variety of commercial and accounting disputes as well as the investigation of financial discrepancies and inaccuracies such as fraudulent activity, financial misrepresentation or misconduct. The role involves an integration of accounting, litigation support and investigative skills, often advising on complex and high‑stakes matters.

A look into the role:

• You will manage a portfolio of casework under appropriate director and partner oversight.
• You will work closely with clients and their professional advisers, combining strong technical expertise with commercial insight to develop innovative solutions, provide clear advice, and produce high‑quality deliverables—often within accelerated timelines.
• Your work will include quantifying the impact of alleged breaches of contract or duty such as loss of company profits or business valuations, across a broad range of commercial disputes.
• Advising clients involved in transaction‑related disputes including expert determinations.
• Developing detailed analyses and explaining the impact of our conclusions, verbally and in writing.
• Producing high‑quality written reports in the context of expert appointments and other advisory matters.
• Working closely with other specialists from across the firm, where required, as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Our team:

• Coach and mentor team members to enable them to reach their potential and deliver excellent client service, providing timely and clear feedback and creating opportunities for learning and development as part of a high‑performance culture.
• In addition, you will take responsibility for the progression of your own career.

Our market:

• Proactively manage your growing external network and have a good understanding of our market, with experience of identifying and developing opportunities to win work (within Forensic as well as the wider business).
• You will have good experience of actively supporting marketing and BD activities as well as preparing and presenting pitches for new assignments.

Our firm:

• You will take responsibility for compliance, budgets and billing, providing a timely and profitable service in accordance with the highest professional standards.
• You will understand and apply best practice regarding departmental procedures, risk management and compliance and contribute to the team’s learning and development.

Your approach:

• Bring your own style and a consulting mindset to this role.
• You will communicate effectively, manage and motivate multiple teams, balance competing demands, remove obstacles to achieving results and find solutions to complex problems.

Knowing you’re right for us:

Joining us as a Forensic Associate Director, the minimum criteria are that you are a qualified accountant with more than five years of post‑qualification experience that is directly relevant to this role. Furthermore, you’ll need experience managing forensic engagements within a professional services firm or a boutique forensics firm with some experience of Disputes Advisory services, such as breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, post‑transactional disputes including breach of warranty and purchase price adjustment disputes, accounting professional conduct matters, business interruption and other insurance claims and civil fraud. The role requires an analytical mindset and the ability to challenge data and information provided together with close attention to detail.

It would be helpful if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll provide training and help you develop in your role:

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office especially Excel and Word.
• Experience of drafting Expert Witness, Expert Advisory, Investigation reports and Expert Determinations.
• Experience of leading engagements and managing teams to deliver forensic workstreams or projects.
• Coaching others on the job and delivering training on core skills.
• Skill and experience in developing relationships with professionals at instructing law firms and corporate clients.

Knowing we’re right for you:

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues, helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job:

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.