Forensics Accounting Manager

• Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Purpose of the Role

As a Forensic Accounting Manager, you will play a key role in leading and delivering forensic accounting assignments, with a particular focus on matrimonial disputes, corporate and shareholder disputes, partnership breakdowns and business valuations.

You will be responsible for analysing complex financial information, preparing clear and robust reports, and providing expert accounting input to support legal proceedings and dispute resolution. You will work closely with solicitors, barristers, clients and other professional advisers, explaining complex financial matters in a clear and accessible way.

You will also lead and mentor junior members of the team, review their work and support the continued growth and development of the Forensic Accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage forensic accounting assignments, providing guidance, supervision and support to junior team members
• Undertake forensic accounting work relating primarily to matrimonial disputes, corporate and shareholder disputes and partnership breakdowns.
• Analyse financial records, business accounts and other financial information to identify and assess matters relevant to a dispute.
• Undertake business and share valuations, including valuations required as part of matrimonial, shareholder and partnership disputes.
• Analyse the financial affairs of individuals and businesses, including income, assets, liabilities and business interests, where relevant to matrimonial proceedings.
• Prepare clear, accurate and comprehensive expert reports, schedules and supporting financial analysis for use in legal proceedings and dispute resolution.
• Work closely with solicitors, barristers and other professional advisers to understand the scope of instructions and provide appropriate financial analysis and advice.
• Build, develop and maintain strong professional relationships with solicitors and other referrers, delivering a consistently high level of service that encourages repeat instructions and recommendations.
• Manage assignments effectively, ensuring work is completed accurately, efficiently and in accordance with agreed deadlines and budgets.
• Review work completed by junior members of the team, providing constructive feedback, coaching and development.
• Maintain the independence, objectivity and professional standards required when acting as an expert.
• Keep up to date with developments in forensic accounting, business valuation, dispute resolution and relevant financial and professional standards.

Critical Skills and Experience Required:

• Excellent report-writing skills, with the ability to present complex financial matters clearly and logically for the purpose of legal proceedings and dispute resolution
• Experience of litigation support and, ideally, acting as or supporting an expert witness.
• Experience of matrimonial disputes, corporate/shareholder disputes and/or partnership breakdowns.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.
• An understanding of the importance of professional networks, referrals and repeat instructions in developing a forensic accounting practice.

Qualifications Required

Essential: ACA or ACCA Qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable: FCA or FCCA

Experience Required

• Proven experience within forensic accounting, dispute advisory or a related professional services environment.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.

Personal Qualities

• Quickly builds rapport, credibility and trust quickly with solicitors, clients and other professional contacts.
• Confident and credible when dealing with senior professionals and clients
• Professional, objective and able to exercise sound judgement.
• A supportive and effective people manager
• Commercially aware with a relationship-focused approach to business development.
• Resilient and energetic
• Achiever and self-motivated
• Organised

Job Requirements

• Live within commuting distance of Ellacotts offices
• Work outside normal hours as required
• Attend client, solicitor and professional networking meetings as required.