Financial Investigator

Financial Investigator

The Role

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are currently looking for a Financial Investigator (Level 8 Associate) to join the Unauthorised Business Department.

What does the role involve? What are the key responsibilities?

Enforcement & Market Oversight (EMO) is responsible for the FCA’s responsibilities for market monitoring, delivery of the functions of the UK Listing Authority (UKLA) and the investigation and prosecution of misconduct pursuing and remedying misconduct using the whole spectrum of criminal, civil and administrative sanctions and remedies against firms and individuals.

The division aims to:

- Be a world leading function, with professional and motivated staff, taking the right cases that have a positive impact on the way financial services work.
- Promote the conduct that supports trusted, orderly and efficient primary and secondary markets.

EMO - Enforcement
- Enforcement conducts forensic investigations into suspected misconduct and, where appropriate, pursues and remedies misconduct by firms and individuals through criminal, civil and administrative sanctions and orders including:

- Bringing criminal prosecutions and seeking penalties to deter misconduct.
- Requiring compensation to redress the consequences of misconduct, where appropriate.

Enforcement’s case work is categorised into three tiers based on a range of factors. Tier 1 cases are the most important and /or complex, followed by tier 2 and then tier 3.

High level strategic oversight of Enforcement’s case work is provided by a Project Board made up of EMO’s Divisional Leadership Team. Project teams regularly attend Project Boards to provide updates to the Divisional Leadership Team and receive advice on case direction.

Unauthorised Business Department (UBD)

UBD investigates firms that are not authorised by the FCA but are carrying out activities that require authorisation. Unauthorised firms pose a significant risk to consumers - UBD has civil and criminal powers to tackle these firms and protect consumers.

UBD is recruiting investigators to work as Associates in multi-disciplinary case teams working on civil and criminal matters.

The main functions of the department can be broken down as below:

- Conduct forensic investigations into suspected misconduct and, where appropriate, pursue and remedy misconduct by firms and individuals through criminal, civil and administrative sanctions and orders including:

- Bring criminal prosecutions and seek penalties to deter misconduct.
- Require compensation to redress the consequences of misconduct, where appropriate.
- An opportunity to work on high-profile cases of public importance as part of multi-disciplinary teams.
- A challenging, interesting and varied portfolio of work, working with colleagues from across the Division and other parts of the FCA.
- Engagement with senior management at the highest levels within the FCA and wider law enforcement community
- A chance to contribute to the strategic management and direction of a Division that is key to delivering the FCA’s objectives.

Skills/Experience Required

Minimum
- Demonstrable significant experience within a criminal, civil or regulatory environment, as an investigator.
- Experience of analysing large amounts of information, drawing out key findings and, producing formal written reports including making recommendations.
- Strong written communication skills - including experience of making oral and written presentations

Essential
- Ability to assess and analyse complex evidence to form a view as to what action is warranted, what further evidence may be required/available and how it might be obtained
- Strong communication skills to present the outcome of analysis clearly and effectively, orally and in writing
- Ability to assist the case team in developing a case strategy, including identifying key risks and suggesting steps to mitigate those risks
- Ability to make timely decisions based on relevant analysis, exercising judgement on the evidence and being able to defend those judgements where appropriate
- Strong relationship management skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in other business units and with external bodies
- Possesses ability to thrive in a varied multi-project caseload, maintaining appropriate progress across a portfolio of projects and workstreams
- Works collaboratively as part of a team, valuing different perspectives and backgrounds, and working with other departments and divisions collaboratively, minimising silos

Desirable
- Experience investigating complex and dishonest investment schemes designed to part consumers from their money
- Experience in “following the money”, unpicking complex structures, and understanding the underlying economics of investment schemes
- Experience of securing redress for consumers
- Experience of challenging investigations with another regulator or enforcement agency
- Experience o