Forensic Accountant

The role will involve undertaking forensic financial investigative work to inform criminal investigations undertaken by PSNI and combine accounting, auditing and investigative skills to examine financial discrepancies and irregularities within a business or legal context.

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 37 hours per week (42 hours gross)  

Salary:  £52,578- £56,237 plus environmental allowance (under review)

Location: Greater Belfast

Main Activities:  The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

Analyse financial records, transactions and statements to uncover discrepancies or illegal activities.  Trace funds and assets to determine the extent of financial wrongdoing, potential fraud, financial misconduct and asset confiscation and recovery. Provide advice, guidance and support to investigating officers, prosecutors, solicitors and counsel on a wide range of financial issues related to PSNI investigations. Assist in legal proceedings by providing expert advice, testimony and presenting financial evidence at court, clearly communicating complex financial information to non-expert audiences. Lead and manage the professional accreditation of 20 Financial Investigators including the identification of training and other CPD needs and oversee the quality assurance of their workloads and performance. Represent PSNI on a wide range of international, national and local meetings, committees and other fora including with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Department of Finance (DoF) as well as others operating within the forensic accounting or economic crime space including National Crime Agency (NCA) and HMRC. Prepare business cases and manage outsourced contracts for specialist advice and credit checking. Assess and review budgetary needs monthly and annual budget forecasts and profiles.  

This Job Description reflects the main duties and responsibilities associated with this position.  It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.  

Person Specification  

Essential Qualifications  Applicants must be fully qualified accountants having successfully completed the relevant professional examinations.

AND

Be a current full member of one of the following bodies:

Chartered Accountants Ireland;   The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland; The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants; The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland.  

Essential Skills and Experience 

• At least three years recent relevant experience in forensic accounting.
• Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information clearly and unambiguously to lay audiences at all levels.
• Well-developed analytical skills.
• Ability to problem solve by balancing numerous data sources and perspectives.
• Management and organisational skills including the ability to plan and prioritise their own work and that of others effectively meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of relevant specialist software and the preparation of financial reports.  

Essential Other Applicants must have a valid driving licence and a car available for official business use, or access to a form of personal transport that will enable you to meet the requirements of the post in full.  IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).  

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. 

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.

Selection Methodology  

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals.  You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below.  This will include both past and future focused questions.  Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Assessment   Values    Public Service Impartiality   Competencies – Level 3  We Take Ownership We Deliver, Support and Inspire We Analyse Critically