Forensic Analyst (One Year Placement Student)

About Armstrong Watson LLP

As an expanding business with 19 offices at present, Armstrong Watson LLP is a leading independent accountancy firm ranked in the top 35 firms of accountants and business advisers.

With approximately 550 colleagues, our people and our culture are at the heart of what we do. We recognise the unique impact our employees have on not only our clients, but also our colleagues and the communities in which we operate in. Our success is dependent on every colleague behaving consistently across all four of our values: Passion, Trust, Honesty and Humanity.

The Role

We have a unique opportunity within our Forensic Accounting team for a motivated individual who is currently studying towards their degree.

This one year placement, joining the team in Leeds, will give you a valuable insight into the world of Forensic Accounting and you will gain work based experience of the profession.

If you are successful, you will be assisting the team on matter such as:

• Personal injury and loss of earnings
• Commercial matters such as shareholder disputes
• Criminal cases with instructions from the Prosecution or the Defence
• Matrimonial cases requiring a business valuation to assist with divorce proceedings
• Investigations such as into an alleged fraud

This will involve undertaking a variety of support tasks including:

• Working on proposals to try and win new work
• Reviewing case instructions and understanding what assistance is required by clients
• Assisting with the setting up of new clients including preparing letters of engagement, scoping documents and carrying out the necessary internal checks and procedures
• Attending initial fact finding meetings with clients to obtain information required to undertake the work
• Reading case documentation such as pleadings, accountancy reports and medical reports to better understand the case and help you assist the team
• Carrying out research using publicly available information to obtain and summarise data regarding the business(es) involved in the matter being worked on
• Analysing core financial and business records such as financial statements and sales invoices
• Researching specific industries to better understand the nature of the marketplace on a particular case
• Converting bank statements into spreadsheet format and undertaking analysis of the transactions contained therein
• Assisting with the management of department records including the recording of case information, billing, organisation of files and data etc

The Candidate

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to gain work-based experience in the world of Forensic Accounting. In order to apply, you must be able to demonstrate an excellent academic record of at least 2 A's and a B at A-Level (or equivalent and excluding general studies) and you will be studying towards a relevant degree.

The placement may lead to an opportunity to join our ACA Graduate / Trainee Chartered Accountant Scheme once the individual has completed their degree course and attained the minimum of a 2:1 degree (and ensuring that they meet all of the other candidate requirements).

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• 3.1% Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover and Income Protection
• Enhanced Annual Leave which will increase throughout your length of service and option an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Flexible & Smart Working – giving you the ability to balance home-working, office location etc.
• Life Cover of 4x your salary
• Health Shield Cash Plan (provides cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on fashion, entertainment, holidays etc)
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support for emotional wellbeing)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) of up to £2,500
• Detailed and thorough on-the-job training
• Reviews and appraisals with your management team to ensure regular communication and providing you with a platform to enhance your career

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you’re with us… we’re with you.