Job description

Forensic accountancy is a blend of accounting, auditing and investigative skills used to resolve disputes relating to the financial performance of a company or organisation.

Financial Accountants are skilled technical accountants who conduct investigations on behalf of companies, insurance companies or legal bodies with the aim of providing evidence and reports to form the basis of debate and discussion and to support legal cases and ultimately resolution.

Typical duties include:

• Analysing and reviewing complex financial information for the purposes of interpreting and presenting this information in a clear and precise manner for non financial persons.
• Acting as an expert witness on behalf of a client in court or similar legal environment.
• Investigating financial information for clients involved in disputes.
• Maintaining an expert knowledge of accounting standards and rules as well as all statutory and legal obligations placed upon companies and organisations.

Forensic Accountants work in public practice or for insurance companies, banks, within the public sector or for organisations tasked with upholding the law.

Qualifications

Forensic Accountants are qualified accountants with strong technical ability, excellent investigative skills and must be confident verbal and written communicators.

Salary Snapshot

Recent salaries advertised on TopFinancialJobs (December 2009) include:

• £51-60,000 per annum for qualified (ACA) Forensic Accountants working in London for a leading forensic accountancy company.
• £50-60,000 per annum for a qualified (ACA, ACCA) Forensic Manager for a company in London.
• £40-50,000 per annum for a qualified (ACA, ACCA) Forensic Accountant working for an international forensic accounting firm in London.
• £81-100,000 per annum for a qualified (ACA) Fraud Specialist working for an international forensics boutique based in London.

Are you a Forensic Accountant? Would you like to contribute to our "Day in the Life of..." series? Email us at info@topfinancialjobs.co.uk for more details.