Associate Case Officer

The Financial Reporting Councils (FRC) mission is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and holding to account those responsible for delivering them. We are the UK Competent Authority for audit.  We also set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work, and monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. Further information about our role can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

Corporate Reporting Review (CRR) is part of the Supervision Division of the FRC. The team monitors financial information provided by companies for compliance with relevant reporting requirements.  We enquire into possible material non-compliance through correspondence and face-to-face meetings with company chairs, directors and senior officers. In addition, CRR regularly prepares and publishes thematic reviews of key accounting topics. These reports are widely used by preparers and auditors as a source of best practice.  Recent topics have included IFRS 13 Fair value measurement, reporting by private companies and TCFD disclosures and climate in the financial statements. Further information about the CRRs work can be found at www.frc.org.uk/accountants/corporate-reporting-review and at https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers[JC1] . Further information on the role of an Associate Case Officer can be found here:  https://vimeo.com/688811655.

Job Description

The Role:

The role of Associate Case Officers includes:

Performing technical reviews of companies annual reports and accounts and, in consultation with more experienced CRR colleagues, deciding whether there is possible material non-compliance with relevant reporting requirements that should be raised with the company.

Analysing company responses, undertaking additional research as necessary, and recommending proportionate regulatory action for discussion with and decision by the Technical Director/Case Directors, with input from Senior Advisors as necessary.

Preparing initial and subsequent formal correspondence with companies.

Preparing Case Summaries for publication and liaising with companies and FRC Communications as necessary.

Participating in meetings with companies.

Managing work on concurrent cases, ensuring that all progress on a timely basis in line with the FRCs documented processes.

Assist on the thematic review work that is undertaken by the department.

Conducting ad-hoc project and research work.

Developing technical knowledge and understanding of accounting standards, the Companies Act and other relevant reporting requirements.

Carrying out technical, organisational and administrative tasks and projects in support of CRRs work as required.

The Person:

Candidates must be fully qualified members of ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS or CAI (or equivalents) and have:

Post-qualification experience of applying IFRSs and UK GAAP at junior manager or manager level at a major accounting firm or within industry.

A good, broad knowledge of corporate reporting requirements and best practice and a keen interest in further developing their technical competency.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Good research and analytic skills.

An ability to manage, and prioritise, a portfolio of cases concurrently.

A good understanding of commerce and business.

Some understanding of the regulatory environment and regulatory framework within which the FRC operates.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Although not a requirement for the role, we would be especially interested to hear from candidates with knowledge and/or experience of preparing or reviewing UK companies sustainability reporting and the relevant standards and frameworks (e.g. TCFD, CFD, SECR, ISSB).

This role is closely supported by more experienced members of the CRR team and is, therefore, suitable for people returning to a technical accounting role after a career break.

An important part of the role of an Associate Case Officer is to write clear, concise and accurate letters to companies.  As part of your application, please will you up-load a covering letter that explains your motivations for joining the CRR team and the skills and experience that make you suitable for this role.

Prior to being invited to an interview, we ask candidates to sit a 2-hour[JC2]  on-line technical test.

Please apply by following the link our website https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers and uploading a copy of your CV and covering letter as a single document upload. In the covering letter, please set out, by reference to the person specification above how you meet the required skillset.

How you meet the required skillset

confirm that you have the right to work in the UK, and

tell us where you heard about this job

Rewards and benefits

The FRC offers remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave, flexible bank holidays plus ability to buy extra leave.

Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.

Staff Employee Assistance Programme including confidential counselling and work life services.

The FRC offers staff the opportunity to save at least 25% on the purchase of a new bike through the Cycle to work scheme.

The FRC has a strong work/life balance ethos.

The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to being an inclusive employer. Our values of being fair and independent supports this commitment. We're a signatory to the Government's Disability Confident scheme, which means that we guarantee an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Equal opportunities monitoring is an important means of demonstrating and implementing our commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and diversity. Completing our diversity form will assist the FRC to identify any barriers that prevent access to employment and career development for certain groups of people, and to develop solutions, such as action plans, new policies and practices.

The role is based in our central Birmingham office. The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the teams activities and also provide cover within the FRC as necessary. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement with its workforce, with precise arrangements to be agreed between the employee and the line manager. FRC operates a four-day fortnight in the office.