Senior Financial Specialist

Job Title: Senior Financial Specialist
Division: Authorisations
Department: Wholesale

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £71,200 and London £57,700 to £78,300 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

• Role grading: Senior Associate– Regulatory

Recruitment contact: Steve Christopher (). Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services.

The Authorisations Division serves as the initial point of contact for firms and individuals seeking to provide regulated financial services in the UK, making authorisation decisions to ensure applicants meet the FCA’s standards. Sitting within the Authorisations Division, the Wholesale Department brings together a collaborative and supportive team of ten specialists who provide insightful financial analysis, prudential resources and data analysis.

The department partners closely with colleagues across the division, creating an inclusive environment where shared learning, openness and collective problem‑solving are highly valued.

• Analyse financial information including past financial accounts, forecasts about the projected performance of the proposed business or distilled throughout an application form and other public documents of firms seeking FCA approval, supporting decisions that protect market integrity and consumers across the UK
• Work collaboratively with a team of highly experienced accountants and financial analysts to translate complex financial and data insights into clear, risk‑focused conclusions
• Provide clear, supportive advice to colleagues across the division, helping them form a view on which risks, and harms matter most, and how a firm might mitigate
• Build positive, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including applicant firms
• Help build financial and data capability across Authorisations, contributing to a culture of shared learning and professional growth
• Contribute to work that directly improves outcomes for millions of UK consumers by ensuring only responsible firms enter the financial market

Minimum:

• Trained at graduate level in accounting or financial analysis or data analysis and with relevant professional qualification (or close to obtaining such a professional qualification)
• Demonstrable experience working in a role involving accounting, financial analysis or data analysis

Essential:

• Bring curiosity and an investigative approach to analysing information and exploring issues in depth
• Effectively prioritise tasks and manage deadlines while maintaining a calm, organised approach
• Communicate clearly in writing and in person, with the ability to contribute to well structured reports
• Work collaboratively as part of an inclusive, supportive team that delivers results together
• Adapt positively to change, welcoming new ideas and innovative ways of working
• Prior experience within a regulatory agency or the financial services sector

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month (expectation of 50% for senior leaders). Changing from September to a minimum of 50% in the office each month (expectation of 60% for Directors and Executive Directors)
• Non‑contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary
• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance
• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

For a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We…