ACCA is committed to a workplace culture which is inclusive, diverse, human and connected.
We welcome applications from candidates who meet some but not all of the criteria listed below.
We are currently looking for a Paralegal on a full time, 12-month fixed term contract basis. This position sits within the Professional Conduct team. This role will be based from our London office.
The job
Reporting primarily to an Assessment & Investigations Manager on a day-to-day basis, you’ll be involved in the following:
- Investigate complaints of professional misconduct against ACCA members, firms, and students (relevant person) so that appropriate disciplinary action can be taken to maintain the standards and reputation of ACCA and the accountancy profession, thereby protecting the public interest and delivering public value.
- Investigate a large number of complaints using own judgement to identify issues requiring research and/or further investigation.
- Exercise strong case and task management skills to take proactive control of own cases to ensure they are progressed in a timely manner to achieve departmental targets and objectives.
- Analyse and assess evidence obtained during the course of investigations to formulate decisions on cases with reference to ACCA's Rulebook, Departmental policies and procedures and good regulatory practice, having due regard to the public interest.
- Draft witness statements and clear and detailed reports of findings and decisions, including allegations, for members, complainants, independent assessors, Consent Order Chairs, Interim Order and Disciplinary Committees, ensuring that all decisions made are well-reasoned and articulated, and supported by documentary evidence.
- Negotiating with external Counsel, expert witnesses and translators regarding their instructions and costs.
- Communicate directly with internal and external stakeholders, including ACCA members, complainants, members of the public, local and international regulatory and other professional accountancy bodies, and law enforcement agencies.
- Provide advice in response to enquiries made by members of the public in respect of ACCA’s Rulebook and Code of Ethics and Conduct, and complaints and disciplinary policy, procedure and process.
The person
We’re looking for someone who has the following:
- A law degree, previous litigation experience, and/or knowledge and understanding of general accountancy practice and procedure would be considered an advantage.
- Experience of conducting investigations, case analysis and drafting in a contentious or professional regulatory environment.
- Proven experience of handling and driving forward a large and varied portfolio of cases and delivering solutions and taking accountability for the successful resolution of issues.
- Ability to critically analyse complicated, and often voluminous, documentation and identify the salient points.
- Excellent attention to detail and written skills to produce concise, clear and accurate documents, including consent orders, interim order applications, reports of disciplinary allegations and witness statements for presentation to the Disciplinary Committee.
- Is happy to work autonomously and is highly motivated, proactive and enthusiastic and able to progress their own cases, including the ability to determine the detailed evidence required from parties, and to persevere with lines of enquiry when responses from parties are ambiguous.
- Sound judgement, strong analytical skills and teamwork.
- Excellent time management skills to deliver to strict deadlines.
- Comfortable working remotely.
- Resilient and able to work in a challenging environment where customers may act in a confrontational, aggressive and/or threatening manner.
Our Benefits
We strive to create an environment where you can prioritise your wellbeing and so have designed our benefits to give you the flexibility and power to do so. Our core benefits include private healthcare, life assurance and income protection as well as a fantastic defined contribution pension scheme.
We provide an employee assistance programme and are proud to offer a financial wellbeing tool called Nudge, to our employees.
Our flexible benefits platform gives you the power to customise your benefit plan to suit your needs, you can choose to add a number of benefits including extra holidays, PMI family cover, cycle to work, Travel and Gym loans and more! You can also enjoy exclusive access to our discount site and wellbeing centre platform.
We are committed to equal opportunities across our recruitment activities and have a real commitment to ensuring the inclusion and well-being of all employees. We have a blended approach to working to support our employees to balance the needs of their job with other aspects of their life.