• Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
• Earnings: £46000.00 to £54000.00

Purpose of the Role

As a Forensic Accountant, you will support the delivery of expert accounting and valuation services in contentious matters, with a particular focus on matrimonial disputes, corporate and shareholder disputes, partnership breakdowns and business valuations.

You will analyse complex financial information, assist with the identification and valuation of business and personal assets, and support the EFS Director in preparing clear, robust and evidence-based reports for clients, solicitors and the courts.

Responsibilities

Matrimonial and Financial Dispute Analysis:

• Analyse business and personal financial records, including statutory accounts, management accounts, tax returns, bank statements and supporting documentation, to identify assets, liabilities, income, expenditure and relevant financial trends.
• Support matrimonial matters by investigating ownership structures, tracing funds, identifying potential undisclosed or diverted assets and assessing the financial position of individuals and connected businesses.

Business Valuations:

• Prepare and review business valuations for matrimonial proceedings, corporate and shareholder disputes, partnership breakdowns and other contentious matters across a broad range of sectors.
• Research and assess valuation assumptions, maintainable earnings, normalised profits, working capital, debt, surplus assets and appropriate market evidence.
• Develop and refine valuation models using appropriate methodologies, including earnings multiples, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, net asset methods and discounted cash flow analysis.
• Clearly document valuation judgements, sensitivities, limitations and the impact of alternative assumptions.

Corporate, Shareholder and Partnership Disputes:

• Analyse financial and accounting evidence in disputes between shareholders, directors, partners or other business owners, including matters involving unfair prejudice, breach of agreement, profit entitlement, drawings, remuneration or the extraction of value.
• Quantify financial losses, business interests and disputed balances using detailed financial evidence.
• Cross-reference findings to source records, legal pleadings, agreements and other relevant evidence, highlighting inconsistencies and areas requiring further investigation.

Reporting and Case Support:

• Prepare clear, concise and well-evidenced reports, schedules and working papers that explain the analysis, methodology, assumptions and conclusions.
• Liaise professionally with clients, solicitors, counsel and other advisers, and present technical financial findings in an accessible and objective manner.
• Support the preparation of expert reports, joint statements, questions to experts, exhibits and other documents for mediation, negotiation and court proceedings. Assist with responses to queries and challenges while maintaining independence, confidentiality and professional scepticism.

Critical Skills and Experience Required:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to form balanced conclusions from incomplete or conflicting financial information
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong Microsoft Word skills, including the preparation of clear schedules, models and reports
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex accounting and valuation matters to non-financial audiences
• Ability to review statutory accounts, management information, tax records and other financial evidence quickly, accurately and efficiently
• Apply professional curiosity, objectivity and scepticism to information being analysed, while maintaining attention to detail and clear audit trails
• In-depth knowledge of accounts preparation, financial statements, business structures and the interpretation of accounting records
• Working knowledge of business valuation principles and relevant corporation tax, capital gains tax and income tax considerations in matrimonial and commercial disputes

Qualifications Required

Essential: ACA or ACCA qualified

Desirable: Degree or equivalent experience

Experience Required

• Minimum of 2 years' proven accounts experience within a practice environment, with strong experience of analysing financial statements and business records
• Experience of business valuations, matrimonial disputes, corporate or shareholder disputes, partnership breakdowns, litigation support or expert witness assignments

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills
• Quickly builds rapport, credibility and trust quickly with solicitors, clients and other professional contacts.
• Confident and credible when dealing with senior professionals and clients
• Professional, objective and able to exercise sound judgement.
• Resilient and energetic
• Achiever and self-motivated
• Organised

Job Requirements

• Live within commuting distance of any Ellacotts office
• Work outside normal hours as required