Enforcement Investigator – Associate Level 8

Requirements of the role

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

The FCA’s Enforcement and Market Oversight (EMO) is recruiting permanent and FTC Enforcement Investigators – Level 8 Associate. There is currently a vacancy in the Retail and Regulatory Directorate and further vacancies may arise in the Wholesale and Unauthorised Business Directorate..

EMO investigates misconduct in financial services that impacts UK consumers and the financial markets. We bring regulatory, civil and criminal cases against firms and individuals to punish wrongdoers, deter others from wrongdoing and change behaviours. Effective, fair and impactful enforcement is critical to the success of the FCA.

The FCA receives reports from many different sources that indicate potential misconduct, and we are continually presented with challenging and intellectually stimulating cases. Our cases involve critical issues that matter to consumers and market participants and attract large scale media attention. Our work covers a diverse range of issues including fraudulent conduct, systems and control failures, corporate governance failings, market abuse and product mis-selling.

Working in EMO at the FCA is a great career option if you have a strong sense of public duty and are motivated to do the right thing and make a positive difference to the lives of consumers and the UK financial market generally.

Retail and Regulatory Investigations (RRI)

RRI investigates potential misconduct by regulated firms, and individuals working within those firms, involved in retail banking, stockbroking, asset management, mortgage broking and lending, insurance intermediation, financial advice, consumer credit and payment services. We take action against firms that sell unsuitable products or services to consumers, mishandle client money and assets, or have governance and systemic issues. We also investigate financial crime matters including fraud and misconduct related to AML systems and controls.

Wholesale Enforcement Department (WUBI)

The Wholesale department ensures that suspected wrongdoing in the wholesale financial markets is investigated and where serious misconduct by firms and/or individuals is identified they are held to account. Our investigation teams undertake criminal, civil, and regulatory investigations spanning insider dealing, market manipulation, misleading statements by listed companies and systems and controls failings.

Unauthorised Business Department (UBD)

UBD investigates firms that are not authorised by the FCA but are carrying out activities that require authorisation. Unauthorised firms pose a significant risk to consumers – UBD has civil and criminal powers to tackle these firms and protect consumers. UBD cases typically involve high-loss investment/Ponzi type frauds, illegal trading schemes and boiler room operations.

What will you be doing?

Associates are involved at every stage of the investigation process, supporting your team, developing your knowledge and sharing your expertise, which includes;

Taking on differing degrees of responsibility for a mixture of cases depending on their nature and complexity. This could range from running smaller cases with management oversight, to working as part of a wider team on larger more complex cases

Progressing a portfolio of investigations, managing your work to meet competing deadlines. Obtaining evidence through the use of appropriate tools and powers and developing the case team’s understanding. Exploring detailed evidence and making recommendations

Drafting all forms of case documents (which may include witness statements, civil orders, statutory notices, and papers going before the Regulatory Decision Committee) and correspondence with investigation subjects, their legal representatives and witnesses

Participating in challenging interviews of subjects and witnesses using compulsory powers, on a voluntary basis and under caution

Preparing for, and presenting cases at, internal case committees when required

Legally qualified candidates in this role would also be expected to provide legal advice to the case team and where appropriate take responsibility for the preparation of privileged correspondence

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