Digital Forensic Senior Manager, London

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Our client’s Forensic Technology team is looking for a Senior Manager to work on projects involving large scale regulation, litigation or investigations, and IP/Commercially Sensitive Data Remediation.

On a day-to-day basis the FTech Senior Manager will work under the direction of Partners and Directors, and will oversee teams of Managers and staff in the delivery of engagements. The nature of the work will include some out of hours work and overseas travel, depending on the nature of the assignments.

Given the increase in the number of FTech engagements and the corresponding rapid growth of the FTech team, a strong Senior Manager is required to ensure effective delivery of current and future projects.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:

  • Overseeing a variety of FTech engagements and/or client accounts
  • Enhancing our overall offering via business development and infrastructure improvement
  • Devising and implementing long term strategy for the department
  • managing business processes and performance management across the team

Experience and Skills:

  • Six years of hands on experience in eDisclosure and Relativity
  • Forensic data scoping, information gathering ahead of the data collection.
  • Handling evidence with care and in accordance with ACPO guidelines.
  • Technical background with experience of eDisclosure tools such as Relativity, Nuix and Brainspace are desirable, along with advanced analytics tools and methodologies.
  • Familiarity with machine learning concepts and methodologies such as natural language processing.
  • Ability to develop and present materials to clients in support of business development activities.
  • Excellent project management and IT project delivery skills.
  • Ability to focus on detail, work methodically and to be able to communicate effectively with others.
  • Excellent team working skills and the ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure.
  • Ability to take ownership of team tasks and pursue these through to completion with initiative and enthusiasm.
  • The willingness and enthusiasm to learn about the Forensic Technology industry as it continues to advance and change.

Director of Finance, North London

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Reporting to:      Chief Operating Officer

Overview

We have an exciting Executive Director of Finance position, for an exceptionally talented, dynamic, and experienced accountant who will lead the financial and commercial developments across an exceptional schools group.

You need to be agile and resourceful with an ability to work within a complex stakeholder environment, a track record in delivering financial sustainability across a multi-million-pound business and driving commercial growth.  In our context, this will mean ensuring that we have a sustainable infrastructure, finances and resources needed to unlock the academic and personal potential of the school community.

You will need to be forward thinking and extremely comfortable working collaboratively with other senior leaders to drive the high performance of the schools.  We would expect that you have a real and genuine pride in excellence and an unwavering commitment to achieving success.  You will inherit a strong and high performing finance team and will be expected to drive effectiveness and efficiency across the service in the pursuit of excellence, maintain high professional standards and a positive customer experience.  We are several years into our exciting ten-year strategic journey, you’ll be joining an executive team that has a governing body mandate to build upon our existing success and achievements whilst delivering transformative programmes of change.  You will need to be comfortable about moving between ‘business as usual’ as the Director of Finance and transformative strategic space as an Executive Programme Sponsor.

We are therefore searching for someone that provides both the safe pair of hands that are required from a financial accounting and statutory compliance perspective, but someone that has a strategic, and commercial outlook, a curious and innovative thinker that is comfortable working in a co-operative and collaborative environment.  It will be a wide and varied role; guaranteed that no day will be the same and you’ll need to be comfortable with a fast paced and fully immersive campus environment.

The individual should have a proven track record of success and must have can-do and motivated attitude.

 

Key priorities of the role:

  • An active member of the Executive Committee with financial oversight, management, and monitoring of the short-, medium- and long-term strategic plan for the schools, and reporting to the governing body through the Finance and Resources Committee and Board.
  • Lead, manage and develop the finance strategy and financial function in partnership with the Executive, ensuring full compliance with the requirements for effective financial governance and prudent management of funds.
  • Lead, manage and monitor Financial KPIs in line with sector-specific benchmarks and report variances to the Executive and Governing Body.
  • Build and lead a highly effective and cohesive finance service that builds upon the best practice, collaborative approaches, ‘team ethos’ and can-do approach that exists.
  • Lead on the design, development and delivery of financial and budgetary policies, protocols and process to enable leaders to make informed and effective decisions based on real time financial information.
  • Oversee and lead the effective use and implementation of the financial system(s) and the efficient application of automated processes and procedures.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement, embed best practice, promote shared learning and ensure robust quality assurance arrangements in place across the finance function.
  • Financially lead and manage the capital investment, special projects and commercial finances of the group that; drive growth, development and innovation; secure best value for money, aggregated benefits and efficiencies; and positions them as a beacon of excellence in the sector.
  • Lead the design, development and delivery of a clear and coherent commercial procurement strategy, focused on sourcing, category management and supplier management frameworks. working collaboratively with colleagues and external providers to ensure best value for money.
  • Establish an effective and accurate database of contracts, leading the review and potential rationalisation of suppliers through centralisation of contracts to ensure best value for money, sustainability and suitability.
  • Lead, manage and deliver the commercial strategy, undertaking financial modelling and analysis of demand and need for products and services within the organisation, contributing to the development of a deliverable business model.

 

Key responsibilities:

  • To manage the timely and accurate preparation of consolidated management accounts and other appropriate financial management information.
  • To manage the year end process, ensuring that year end timetable deadlines are met, and year end statutory accounts are free from material errors.
  • To provide lead liaison with external Auditors and the Haberdashers’ Company to ensure an efficient audit process.
  • To oversee the production of the annual statutory financial statements and consolidated accounts ensuring that all charity, legal and financial obligations are met.
  • To oversee fixed assets recording and reporting including approving treatment of expenditure such as capital and calculating depreciation.
  • Overall responsibility for working capital management (cashflow forecasting, debtor management).
  • Overall responsibility for managing the long-term investments.
  • Understanding the key income and cost drivers to allow budgets, forecasts and sensitivity analysis to be undertaken to inform decision making by the COO, Heads and the Governing Body.
  • Reporting on key capital and infrastructure projects.
  • To support charitable objectives by overseeing the extensive bursary programme to provide financial assistance to students whose parents would ordinarily not be able to afford to send their children to the schools.
  • To be responsible for managing and supervising the operations of the finance, procurement and commercial functions to ensure the effectiveness of the service.
  • Manage centralised finance team providing real value added to governors and senior leadership.
  • Ensure that an appropriate professional development programme is provided, and appropriate job specific training is provided for all members of the team.
  • Ensure annual staff development reviews are undertaken.
  • Oversee established data protection and data management regimes (GDPR compliance etc).
  • To oversee the management of financial and non-financial risk, driving through planned upgrades to proven risk management regime.
  • Provide the Director of the Schools‘ Foundation and Director of Partnerships to ensure that financial guidance, advise and support is provided in helping to fulfil these charitable aims and objectives.

 

Key Projects:

Capital Investment Programme 

To work closely with the governing body and executive leadership in the development of a clear and coherent capital investment plan, working collaboratively on the following areas:

  • To work with the Director of Estates and Operations and cost consultants on the financial modelling and design of a long-term (5-25 year) estates masterplan and in the delivery of its medium-term (3-5 year) capital strategy and short-term (0-3 year) delivery plans across the estate.
  • To work with the governors and executive to develop a fully costed capital strategy and plan (i.e. capacity, condition, suitability, sufficiency, education and cost) fully aligned with strategic priorities and goals, and to successfully implement it across the campus.
  • To undertake a detailed financial review of all areas of capital investment and revenue expenditure linked to the estate, proposing commercial arrangements and business solutions that remove waste and duplication, deliver aggregated procurement benefits, secure better (and best) value for money and improved financial and operational efficiencies.
  • To work with the Director of Estates and Operations to assess, analyse and identify affordable and deliverable capital investment opportunities that will reduce operational expenditure and environmental impacts.  Prioritising ‘Return on investment’ and ‘Invest to Save’ opportunities, for example installing solar panels on replacement/new roofs to reduce ongoing energy usage and costs.
  • To use business analytical tools to undertake financial modelling and analysis of capital investments and revenue buildings costs to manage and monitor the reduction of the estates running costs, energy efficiency, lifecycle savings and operational efficiencies.

 

Procurement and Contract Management 

To work closely with the governing body and executive leadership in the development of a clear and coherent procurement strategy, working collaboratively on the following areas:

  • To review and manage supplier pricing, purchasing routes and best value for money.
  • To provide financial information for situational analysis, option appraisal, benchmarking assessment and business case proposals for essential services and goods across the group, seeking to deliver improved effectiveness and efficiencies.
  • To develop and lead on the financial and commercial requirements of the tender management process; including, frameworks/tenders, collaborative buying arrangements, joint partnership agreements, tender specification and evaluation criteria, and contract award arrangements.
  • To proactively establish partnerships and working agreements that help the schools to achieve their objectives.
  • Developing and sustaining effective relationships with external partners.
  • To review and coordinate the financial requirements for capital grants and bid opportunities in line with strategic priorities.
  • To identify opportunities for central consolidation of complex, medium and high value contracts evaluating cost benefit opportunities in relation to performance, efficiency and value for money, and managing risks.
  • To lead on the financial negotiations for complex, medium and large value contracts in order to secure best value for money.
  • To ensure all medium and high value contracts are financially sustainable, reporting opportunities for short-term gains and long-term benefits to the Executive.

 

Commercial Strategy:

  • To work with the executive leadership on the financial development of a commercial strategy that fully aligns with the ten-year vision.
  • Developing a business and operating model in partnership with executive and senior leaders that balances the use of the campus buildings and facilities to generate revenues and provides wider civic and community benefits.

 

Sustainability:

  • To take the financial lead on the sustainability strategy to reduce emissions with the target being net zero carbon and modelling a long-term (5-25 year) plan to achieve this across the campus.
  • To identify with other colleagues opportunities that can reduce carbon footprint or offset carbon emissions, then working with academies and stakeholders to deliver best value solutions.
  • To ensure the group fully complies with all government regulations in relation to sustainability, energy efficiency and consumption.

  

Person Specification

  •  You will be a degree holder and a qualified accountant.
  • You will have at least 5 years’ experience of managing a finance function in a complex environment.
  • You will be a highly talented and exceptionally capable individual who has the drive, enthusiasm and motivation to support the ongoing development of the finance function within the dynamic and innovative environment focused on the pursuit of excellence in education.
  • You will have a strong background in building a robust financial modelling framework.
  • Considerable experience of developing third party procurement and contract relationships.
  • Be able to lead and manage a finance team to deliver the production management and statutory information.
  • Have had experience operating at board or executive level, with excellent influencing and coaching skills, together with a track record of building relationships with all levels of an organisation.
  • You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • A dynamic and talented individual who has the charisma and gravitas to advise and support the Executive team.
  • The individual should have a proven track record of success and must have can-do and motivated attitude.

 

GDPR and Safeguarding notice

  • According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process your personal data with your express consent.
  • The group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
  • The post-holder will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom he/she comes into contact. They must ensure compliance with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement at all times.
  • This appointment will be subject to checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service and with past employers.

 

How To Apply

If you are interested in applying, please send your details to leo.ketchin@williamscottassociates.com

 

Tick tock tick tock….

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Last year we all thought 2021 would be better – in some respects it has been but for many it has been a rough year.

Furlough has ended and the race is on to get COVID booster jabs rolled out as the second doses wear off. We’re not out of the woods yet.

The world of work has been shifting to either the “old normal” or a new hybrid. The job market has been active with clients fighting for candidates and those who move slowly invariably miss out. Time has taken on a new meaning this year and it’s not for wasting. The Queen echoed this on Wednesday when she said, ‘none of us can slow the passage of time’.

Every day we speak to people seeking new opportunities for growth, whether that’s in terms of a pay rise, promotion or breadth of role, and the opportunities are there for the taking. CVs have taken on a new shape. Longevity in a role no longer looks like 8+ years but it’s far more typical for people to move on after 3. If you are interested in exploring what roles are out there then have conversations with recruiters. Find out what your options are and make informed decisions on what is right for you. Your time is yours. Use it wisely.

Why 2021 is so important

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I saw a poster in the tube at the end of 2016 that said “Thanks 2016, it’s been weird”. I think it is fair to say things got progressively weirder from then on.

2020 brought so much fear, mourning, anxiety and struggle but people are emerging in 2021 with the realisation that this year means so much as individuals and also communities. On a global scale now is the time to address issues such as climate change. In 2020 the hole above the Artic actually closed. It shouldn’t have taken a global pandemic to achieve this but can we sustain this progress once the pandemic is over? This year and the next will decide. On a personal level people are experiencing the need for positive change. Individuals are realising what is important to them and acting. No more waiting. No more procrastinating. Now is the time that changes are being made to make their lives more fulfilling, rewarding and purposeful.

Never before have there been so many resources available to help achieve this change. As part of that change those with the skills have trained to help guide people through those decisions – life coaches, career advisers, professional coaches, recruiters etc. If you’re looking for change, start by opening the door to guidance with making the decisions you need to make and taking the steps you need to take. At William Scott Associates we are here as individuals but also as part of the recruitment community to support you in the direction you choose to take.  We are happy to discuss options that are available to you, steps needed to reach your goals and make 2021 count for you.

Senior Lawyer – Bristol

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Senior Associate

Bristol

A leading international law firm which provides clients with commercially aware legal advice, whenever and wherever they need it is seeking a senior associate to join their insurance and construction team. They have over 1,600 people situated in key business and financial centres across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The Insurance and Construction team advises insurers and professional firms on a range of professional risk and construction issues globally. With expertise across an international network, we achieve efficient results that achieve our client’s business objectives.

Their reputation is built on defending professionals in claims, receiving instructions from both insurers and the insured firms themselves, who are recognised leaders in their profession. They also act in relation to pure construction disputes, in particular international arbitrations.

The Role:

They are seeking to recruit a Senior Associate to join the Bristol Insurance & Construction team to focus predominantly on defending claims against construction professionals (including architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors) and coverage disputes.  There will be opportunities to work on other broader non-construction insurance related claims.

Your caseload will routinely involve mediations and litigation (generally in the Technology and Construction Court) and you will gain arbitration and adjudication experience.

Day to day, you will have the opportunity to work closely with a partner who is a specialist in this area. You will also work with other partners and associates in London, and across other offices, as part of a collegiate and supportive international group.

Person specification:

  • Applicants should ideally have between 3-6+ years’ post qualified experience in professional indemnity work in relation to the construction industry.
  • We would expect applicants to have worked for a leading law firm for insurance and/or construction work.
  • Excellent academics and commercially driven.
  • Strong client focus with an ability and willingness to get actively involved in marketing and business development in Bristol and London.
  • Able to work effectively as part of a diverse and inclusive team.
  • Flexibility and a willingness to work additional hours on occasion as required.
  • An enthusiastic and team-oriented approach is essential.

Please message Leo Ketchin on leo@williamscottassociates.com or call him on 07789556586 for more details.

APPLY NOW

Computer says no!

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Tailoring your CV for every application is hard work and it’s crushing when you don’t receive any feedback either way. Why is that? Are people really that mean?

The answer is probably ‘no’ because, according the job search services firm Preptel, around 75% of CVs are never even seen by a human.

Larger companies (including the Big4) use automated systems to filter CVs before they even get that far.

By using a recruiter your CV is not only guaranteed to be seen by a real person but will also be correctly tailored using all the correct keywords and formats to ensure that all the right information is highlighted.

We are obviously delighted if you choose William Scott Associates to guide you through the application processes employed by our clients but should you choose to go it alone but want to make sure your CV is going to produce results we are equally happy to help.

2020 sees the launch of our CV Advisory Service. Check it out on our website for more information https://williamscottassociates.com/cv-advisory/

Don’t turn against audit

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There was a recent article on economia highlighting the words of Professor Olaf Blik in the Netherlands who said that “auditors of failed companies are being blamed for everything when the question should be not only where was the auditor, but also where was the accounting department of the audited company, management, the internal auditor, the audit committee? “All parties need to play their role.””

One of my roles at William Scott Associates is to share relevant industry news and of late it feels there is anon stop “audit bashing”. Professor Bik’s words are the only supportive words I have read in a long time and I applaud them! Auditors often work unforgiving hours and as he points out they are only human so mistakes will be made. In my view auditors are not in place as a safety measure – the responsibility for honest and transparent financial reporting should lie with the company in question.

We also shouldn’t forget that auditors are not paid the same as those in other areas of finance so with the amount of negative press surrounding audit at the moment combined with the attractive salaries of corporate finance or consulting it’s no surprise that after 3 years of studying and qualifying the majority of ACA/ACCA students look to launch themselves out of audit as quickly as possible, thus draining the talent pool. And when you’re losing talent faster than you can attract it then there is the increased risk to quality.

I met with a firm recently who admitted they had previously accepted applications from candidates who required extra training support. The candidates may have had exam fails but the interviewers had identified talent which they felt they could nurture and build on. Now however, the same company cannot afford to hire those candidates in case it risks the quality of their audits due to the immense pressure from the FCA and politicians. It’s not only the candidates who are suffering the consequences but also companies who are considered ‘risky’ are struggling to attract companies to audit them for fear of bad press.

All the while, changes are being demanded by regulatory bodies (after a huge amount of investigative work) only for some politicians to disregard their recommendations as an electoral policy.

My hope is that industry leaders are listened to and improvements are made in support of the auditors who work hard to form and report an opinion on whether the financial statements prepared by directors do in fact give a ‘true and fair’ view, as required by company law, to shareholders. We all need to play our role in supporting an industry that deserves better.

Source: https://economia.icaew.com/news/november-2019/auditors-are-human-too

The passion behind “Millennials” who are voting with their feet.

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We’re living in very bizarre times. Politically the world is a hugely unstable place, the Earth is losing animal species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural rate due to climate change and businesses are also facing their own threats. High street retail is in rapid decline, manufacturing and automotive industries are suffering and often the fingers that look for blame point directly at the auditors. They themselves have their own challenges as they try to adjust (or perhaps ‘correct’ is a better phrase) their diversity and inclusion policies as well as keep apace with new regulation. The media is full of negative stories regarding the Big4 especially but hopefully this will act as a springboard for positive change as it feels that as well as uncertainty and perhaps some fear in the air there is also hope for this positive change across Politics, the Environment and Business alike.

We should be excited for the generation currently in their teens and 20s who are driving this change and won’t stand for insufficient, inappropriate or unfair action. There are lots of articles about how Millennials are fickle and lack a strong work ethic but that is a gross generalisation and perhaps they are more fluid with their career choices because they won’t stick in a role for security if it disagrees with their own personal ethics. A jumpy CV doesn’t look great and is considered by the baby boomers as a big “no no” but the reasons behind such moves could perhaps be worth listening to before judgements are made. Times are changing and more and more people are moving and voting with their feet based on their own passions, ideals and aspirations not only for themselves but for the common good and those steps should be commended.

Thinking about working abroad?

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We live in such a globalised society where you can work anywhere in the world but what does that entail and are you ready?

The pros of working abroad are plentiful but it’s a big change – you’d be living away from friends and family and would need to build up a new support network somewhere else. Sometimes, you may need to make a lateral or even a small backward move to prove yourself in a new market.

If this doesn’t faze you and you’re thinking about moving to a new country talk it through with friends and family and even a recruiter to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

Do your research and make this decision before you apply to roles. Some processes can move very quickly and if you are not committed to the move it can feel overwhelming. If visas are involved it can also take a longer time which you also need to be prepared for.

When is a good time to go personally and professionally?

• We recently helped a family move from the UK to Australia and it worked well for them but perhaps the best time to move would be independently with few commitments such as mortgages etc

• From a professional perspective there are a lot more opportunities for newly qualified CAs than Directors so opportunities will naturally diminish as time progresses.

• We also tend to become more risk averse as time goes on.

Where?

• Research possible markets that you would like to work in and are able to? Does your firm do international transfers/secondments?

• Are you restricted by visas? If so can you seek sponsorship?

• Think about time zones, can you skype family and friends outside of working hours?

The opportunity to work abroad should never be taken for granted – it’s opening a door to a whole new set of experiences you might otherwise not get the opportunity to explore. You only get one life. Live it. Love it.

Women in Finance

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The gender pay gap and the lack of women in boardrooms are topics currently dominating the headlines. Back in October last year not only was the #metoo campaign born but the UK government also launched an inquiry into the number of women working in finance.

 

Working in accountancy practice recruitment I can see there are definitely fewer women at these higher levels but why? Here are a couple of ideas why.

 

Firstly, women are less attracted to financial services as it is still viewed as a male dominated industry, so in terms of competition, there are fewer women competing for these top spots in the first place. I’d argue that in order to increase the talent pool more women need to be encouraged into financial services while still at school and choosing their AS level subjects and university courses to direct them towards completing their ACA or ACCA. Both sexes need to be educated about the different opportunities available to them and ignore any gender stereotyping.  While at school I certainly was unaware of the different types of roles available within finance. It’s not all number crunching, for example strategy, cyber security, and origination are all areas which require totally different skills sets. From a recruitment perspective it’s hard to deliver a 50% female representation for the higher grades when the pool is not split 50-50 in the first place so positive discrimination comes into play.

 

Secondly, by the time women are reaching senior manager level it coincides with the best biological window to start a family and some women decide to not return to work or to change their job to accommodate their new family. Some women are able to return to full time work again and continue to progress with only a short delay but more often than not some kind of balance is required.

 

On this point I do think the larger consultancies are working very hard to make the workplace more flexible for mothers to return to with flexi working hours, the opportunity to work from home and the ability to share maternity leave with a partner.  They appreciate that in order to retain their female staff, and in turn create a more diverse and profitable business, these benefits need to be offered. Hopefully with changes such as these and with support from the government we can expect to see more senior female leadership in financial services and beyond. Currently 205 Firms in the UK have signed up to the Women in Finance charter which pledges to have at least 30% women in senior roles by 2021 and of those, 40 firms have committed to a 50/50 gender split in senior roles by 2021 so watch this space!