Financial Investigator - Belfast - Carne House

Discover what it's like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here. HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department's civil and criminal investigations. FIS ensures that HMRC has an effective approach to tackling the most serious tax evasion and fraud.

FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds - including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery teams to name but a few. We use a range of powers and approaches to protect funding for UK public services, investigating the most harmful tax cheats and ensuring none are beyond our reach. We target a variety of threats, including complex offshore evasion, international smuggling of illicit excise goods, exports of controlled weapons and technology, labour market abuses, money laundering, VAT and Self-Assessment repayment frauds and a host of other fraudulent attacks.

The Economic Crime (EC) deputy directorate brings together our Supervision, Proceeds of Crime Operations and Illicit Finance teams and forms an integral part of the HMRC Serious Fraud Strategy. Working closely across the department and the wider Law Enforcement community, using specialist expertise and modern technology we put illicit finance at the centre of operations. Our operational teams tackle the financial aspects of cases that will ultimately deter, disrupt, and remove assets from tax fraudsters to level the playing field for the honest majority.

Join HMRC as a Financial Investigator and be part of a specialist Economic Crime Operations team, where you will be at the forefront of disrupting serious tax fraud and illicit financial flows. This role sits within HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, focusing on recovering proceeds of crime and disrupting financial criminal activity. This position combines investigative expertise with legal knowledge to identify, restrain, and confiscate assets derived from criminal conduct.

You will conduct and lead financial investigations across recovery areas, collaborating with tax professionals, insolvency specialists, forensic accountants and Economic Crime teams to identify effective recovery methods. You will deliver complex and impactful investigations including restraint and confiscation, detained cash investigations and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Part 5 work. The role requires attention to detail, and the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. As a Financial Investigator, you will be at the forefront of HMRC's efforts to protect public finances and maintain the integrity of the UK's tax system.

To carry out the responsibilities of a Financial Investigator, you must hold accreditation from the National Crime Agency (NCA). If you do not currently have this accreditation, full training and support will be provided to help you obtain it. You will also be required to gain HMRC Authorised Officer status. If this is not already held, you will need to complete HMRC's Authorised Officer training. Your training pathway will be determined by your existing law enforcement experience and will follow either the Criminal Investigation Foundation Pathway which includes a Training and Assessment Period or the Accelerated Pathway. The appropriate route will be confirmed following successful completion of the sift and interview stages.

This role aims to maximise the recovery of criminal assets within the UK and overseas, supporting Civil and Criminal Operations from a financial perspective. Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Court Applications and Case Preparation: Prepare and present cases at Magistrates' and Crown Court, making applications (e.g., restraint, search warrants, production orders), responding to judicial queries, and giving evidence when required. Act as an Assurance Officer in accordance with POCA 2002 and relevant legislation.
• Material Analysis: Identify, secure and analyse financial and case-related material to improve recovery opportunities.
• Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure Illicit Finance is at the heart of all FIS investigation work.
• Mentoring and Support: Provide peer mentoring to team members, to develop capability and maintain high standards of Financial Investigation practice.
• Case Management and Quality Assurance: Manage cases efficiently, keeping accurate records, progressing work on time, and complying with legislation, casework standards and systems.
• Management Information: Maintain accurate Management Information on an ongoing basis.
• Operational Planning: Plan, lead, and deploy operationally (where training dictates) to enhance financial investigations across other areas of Fraud Investigation Service and maximise asset recovery opportunities.
• Continuous Professional Development: Complete mandatory training and maintain relevant professional certifications: including NCA POCC registration. Keep up to date with changes in legislation, guidance and financial crime developments.
• Role Model: Act as a role model by demonstrating HMRC values and capabilities. The role may also include acting as a Tutor to support the development of others as Financial Investigators. Additionally, it may also include HR line management responsibilities for Financial Investigators, Financial Intelligence Officers and other Economic Crime Operations staff.

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills. You should have a proven ability to think laterally and drive forward investigations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to effectively engage and negotiate with both internal and external stakeholders.
• An ability to work closely as part of a team, building effective working relationships.
• A proven ability to present complex information clearly and concisely drawing out key conclusions and providing well-reasoned recommendations.
• Resilience with the ability to adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment, reprioritising own work throughout periods of change.
• High level of attention to detail ensuring accuracy and quality in all aspects of work.

Essential Criteria: Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Recent experience (within the last three years) in conducting criminal, civil, tax or regulatory investigations, or managing teams delivering this work.
• Must hold one of the following qualifications: Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer, BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Investigation), Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager, Accredited Counter-Fraud Technician (ACFTech), Professionalising Investigations Programme PIP Level 2 (PIP2).

Additionally, candidates must hold a Full UK Driving Licence. We recognise that some people cannot drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. Where this applies, you can apply but will need to declare that you require a reasonable adjustment at the point you receive a provisional offer. The vacancy holder will then discuss your specific requirements to consider if this can be reasonably accommodated in this role.

Desirable Criteria: Have either currently or previously completed Financial Investigation Restraint & Confiscation (R&C) training and PDP successfully and be accredited/registered with POCA 2002 Part2/4, and 8 powers or have the same powers voluntarily suspended in accordance with NCA POCC policy. Powers must not have been suspended for more than the 36 months limit. This will be checked against the Financial Investigation Support System (FISS). Good knowledge of tax regimes administered by HMRC and Civil Recovery Options to maximise Asset Recovery.

This post attracts a Flexibility Payment (FP) at Level 1a or where it can be accommodated, Level 2, which is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs. At FP Level 1a, you will be expected to work at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays). At FP Level 2 you will additionally be expected to undertake periods of On Call and you will also be expected to work additional hours. In applying for a position and accepting FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.

Your preferred FP level will be discussed with you should your application be successful and will be determined by the level of training you have attained. Candidates with the BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma Enforcement Investigation or CFPAB Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist are immediately eligible for FP2. External candidates with National Crime Agency Financial Investigation Accreditation / Financial Investigation training/National Crime Agency Restraint and Confiscation Accreditation or Policing Professionalising Investigative Practice (Level 2) (PIP2) will require HMRC Authorised Officer training to achieve HMRC Authorised Officer status. For the first month you will receive no FP, thereafter you will receive FP at Level 1a. Internal candidates with POC Authorised Officer Training will be eligible for FP1a. Where possible training to achieve full HMRC Authorised Officer status will be delivered via Criminal Investigation Foundation training.

HMRC Authorised Officer training will be delivered via the two pathways below:

• The Accelerated Pathway training program which involves a pass/fail training course through which recruits achieve Authorised Officer Status. This training programme is suitable for experienced law enforcement professionals who meet the criteria set out within the skills framework for this course. On successful completion of this training you will become eligible for FP at Level 2 (your Level 1a payments will stop).
• The Criminal Investigation Foundation Pathway training program includes a Training and Assessment Period (TAP). It is required for new EC Operations staff without Criminal Justice experience and for officers who have completed POC Authorised Officer training (who need only complete to complete stages 3 and 4). Officers hold "Interim Authorised Officer" status until they pass the TAP, after which they gain full Authorised Officer status, become eligible for FP level 2 (with Level 1a payments ending), and must meet all attendance requirements for that level.

All officers will be required to undertake Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST). Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.

A full UK Driving Licence is required. We recognise that some people cannot drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. Where this applies, you can apply but will need to declare that you require a reasonable adjustment at the point you receive a provisional offer. The vacancy holder will then discuss your specific requirements to consider if this can be reasonably accommodated in this role.

Qualifications: Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer, BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Investigation), Level 4 Diploma - Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager, Accredited Counter-Fraud Technician (ACFTech), Professionalising Investigations Programme PIP Level 2 (PIP2).

Behaviours: We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions, Working Together.

Benefits: Alongside your salary of 37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes 10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days. Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following: A nameblind CV detailing up to your last three roles. For each role, please provide no more than 100 words summarising the time spent in role, key achievements, and main responsibilities. A 500-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert. Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the CV, only if successful, will the personal statement then be looked at and scored. Any CV that doesn't follow the correct format of 100 words per role up to the last 3 roles, will be automatically rejected. We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

During the panel interview, you will be asked questions based on the behaviours listed below to explore in detail what you are capable of, and you will be asked strength-based questions to also explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role. There will also be an Experience question - scenario based questions.

Eligibility: Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via email.

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.