Assistant Forensic Accountant

Why join us?

DWF are seeking an Assistant Forensic Accountant or Accountant to support the provision of in-house forensic accounting services within our leading law business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with a genuine interest in forensic accounting who is keen to apply their technical skills in a legal environment, working closely with lawyers and other specialists on complex, often high-value matters.

You do not necessarily need to have forensic accounting experience but any practical experience in the calculation of financial losses - in particular loss of earnings and loss of pension and business interruption losses - would be useful.

You will need a thorough understanding of and be competent in analysing underlying accounting and tax records for individuals and businesses (e.g. earnings records, tax returns, management accounts, sales and purchase records, detailed annual accounts) and be able to communicate your findings clearly and concisely.

In the longer term you will be required to apply your skills to a wide range of forensic accounting instructions including loss of earnings and pension (injury claims), business interruption losses, professional indemnity claims, commercial disputes, corporate intelligence gathering, statutory accounts reviews and financial due diligence, as required.

The role will suit someone who is independent, confident, curious, and proactive, and who enjoys building strong working relationships across disciplines.

This role is to be based from our London office on a Hybrid basis, but we will also consider candidates from other DWF office locations, who are open to travelling to London on a monthly basis.

• Responsible to:
  Supervising forensic accountant
• Works with:
  Supervising forensic accountant, legal fee earners (paralegals through to partners), other fee earners
• Liaison with:
  • Internal clients - Supervising forensic accountant, legal fee earners, other fee earners, support staff, e.g. facilities managers, team secretaries, marketing teams, IT support.
  • External clients – e.g. Insurers, Legal Counsel, Insured parties and Litigation clients

The diverse nature of our work means that every day is different. In the longer term you will undertake a mixed caseload of chargeable and non-chargeable work. Day-to-day duties in the short term are expected to include:

• Analysis of accounts, earnings records, tax records and bank statements to identify trends;
• Applying accounting and tax knowledge to technical issues and the analysis of financial data;
• Preparing clear and concise analysis and calculations set out in user-friendly schedule packs;
• Critical appraisal of claims for loss of earnings/loss of profits and presentation of alternative calculations under different assumptions;
• Review of business interruption claims prepared by insureds including underlying assumptions and relevant supporting documentation;
• Identification of shortcomings in the claim and the further evidence required to support the losses;
• Drafting reports, file notes and emails setting out findings;
• Proof reading and/or sense checking written reports and analyses for colleagues;
• Opening new client and matter files and raising invoices;
• Correspondence and remote meetings with insureds, claims handlers and insurers to discuss issues and request further information;
• Working flexibly to adjust to changes in work load and making efficient use of any quieter periods;
• Assist in raising the profile of in house forensic accounting by networking, building rapport and maintaining working relationships internally with peer group (and where appropriate externally).

In the longer term, day-to-day workload is likely to expand to include:

• Desktop-based, open source research into the background, activities and reputation of businesses and individuals;
• Compiling work scopes and fee estimates and keeping clients advised of potential changes;
• Responsibility for reviewing own WIP balances for time costs, challenging anomalies and noting queries on a timely basis;
• Business development and marketing activities internally and externally;

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

• Hold a recognised UK accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Have practical post qualification experience
• Able to interpret a set of financial statements
• Be a competent user of Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
• Strong communication skills, verbally (e.g. meetings and telephone calls) and written (e.g. reports and detailed emails)
• Pay attention to detail
• Be a lateral thinker, able to solve problems
• Understand the importance of working efficiently, juggling a varied workload and prioritising
• Able to work independently and also collaboratively where necessary
• Work well under…