About the job

Summary

The TRA is one of the first public bodies to be set up to meet the new needs of the UK following its departure from the European Union. We play a central part in ensuring that the international trading environment is fair as well as free, by protecting British businesses from unfair trading practices such as dumping, trade-distorting subsidies and unforeseen surges in imports.

We are growing to be an organisation of over 150 people, with our headquarters in central Reading. It is vital to me that we have a friendly, supportive culture, where you will quickly get to know everyone on first name terms and where you will be helped to realise your full potential. We strive to be an outward-looking organisation, learning from international best practice and looking to add our own distinctive twist, such as developing our digital-first approach to trade remedy investigations. As an arm’s length body that is independent of government, we are passionate about living our values of integrity, expertise, transparency, and inclusion.

We are looking for professionals who bring relevant skills and expertise but who are also eager to learn and develop. Nobody joins the TRA as the finished article. If you believe that you have the experience and qualities to put your stamp on something new and exciting, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Job description

As a Qualified or part-qualified Accountant, you will join our specialist verification team who have responsibility for providing professional support to our investigation case teams in relation to the assessment of business and financial data. The assessment of this data is critical and the conclusions drawn on its completeness, accuracy and relevance affect how it can be used in reaching our recommendations on appropriate trade remedies measures to the Secretary of State (SoS) for International Trade. This supports our mission to defend UK economic interests against unfair international trade practices. Our verification function is similar to commercial audit and calls on some of the same skills and knowledge as are required in accounting, auditing, or commercial investigation.

Role Purpose

You will support the Lead Commercial Accountant on the case to provide specialist advice and guidance to our case teams to determine whether financial data provided during the investigation can be relied upon. You will be allocated to specific cases working within multi-disciplinary case teams comprising investigators, analysts and lawyers, supporting the development of the verification strategy and plan and assisting the case team to form an initial judgement on the reliability of the materials received from UK and overseas parties.

Depending on your experience you may lead the case teams to verify the completeness, accuracy and relevance of data provided including cross-checking against other data and through interviews with company personnel. You will support the case teams to form accurate, evidence-led judgements on the data. To do this, you may need to provide hands-on support and coaching to less experienced colleagues, helping to develop their accountancy and audit knowledge and skills with the aim over time that Investigators will be able the undertake the verification lead role with specialist support and guidance from the verification team.

Due to COVID, these activities are presently being performed remotely. When restrictions are fully lifted and when it is safe to do so, some of these activities will take place during verification visits to the premises of businesses in the UK and overseas.

If you are part-qualified, you may also want to continue your studies and we can support your learning.

Key Accountabilities

Reporting to the Commercial Accountant/Auditor, you will:

•support the case team in setting the verification strategy for the investigation and develop a plan to support the strategy;

•support and, in some cases, lead case teams in undertaking financial audit activities required to verify case data;

•monitor and report on the progress of verification activities;

•advise on the appropriate verification tools and techniques to be used for a case;

•provide accountancy expertise and advice throughout the lifecycle of a case;

•support case teams on verification visits;

•provide coaching for investigators on verification activities.

In addition to this core role, the team is also responsible for training and upskilling investigators, developing guidance to help investigators address complexities during the verification process and providing the quality assurance regime for the verification process and products. As part of your role, you will be involved in:

•developing the quality assurance regime for the verification process and quality assuring verification products;

•evolving our approach to verification in the light of case experience and reflecting it in our guidance and instructions;

•designing and delivering accountancy and verification training to upskill investigators, who are usually non-accountants.

Working Pattern: We offer full-time, part-time, compressed and flexible working.

Responsibilities

You are looking to make a real difference to the people and economy of the UK. Our work is as unique as it is far-reaching; there are not many jobs where your input can make a real difference to the lives of all those living in the UK. If you relish the thought of such a challenge, then we are looking for you.

You will be looking for an opportunity to build on or obtain knowledge of international trade regulation and get exposure to WTO rules and how these affect lives in the UK.

You are well organised and have a challenging and inquisitive mindset with a flair for complex data analysis, ideally forensic in your approach to detail. You will be experienced in analysing information presented and where appropriate, investigating further to ensure that the information provided is satisfactorily verified. You take pride in seeing a job through to completion, having high standards in your own work as well as in that of colleagues who you may supervise as they undertake similar work.

You can engage, communicate, collaborate and influence, explaining technical financial and accountancy issues to non-accountants both within and outside our organisation. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish mutual respect and trust, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders as well as working as part of a team to achieve team goals.

You will be flexible and versatile and able to adapt to variations in work and environment, not allowing your effectiveness to be affected by change. You may want part-time work, compressed hours or flexibility over your working day.

If you believe that you have the skills, knowledge and desire to make a real public and societal difference, then we want to hear from you.

The following will be assessed throughout the selection process:

Essential:

•Evidence of commercial financial audit and/or forensic accountancy experience;

•Evidence of upskilling others in the workplace in accountancy and audit techniques;

•Ability to provide accountancy advice and technical support in a delivery environment;

•Excellent communication skills, dealing with senior internal and external stakeholders;

•Ability to deliver to tight deadlines;

•Evidence of coaching and developing others;

•Evidence of working in a multi-disciplined professional environment.

Desirable:

•Evidence of preparing and implementing quality assurance policies and procedures;

•Evidence of writing guidance for professionals;

•Evidence of designing and delivering training;

•Experience or knowledge of trade remedies policy or investigations.

Qualifications

Applicants will need a minimum of:

•Charter-level or part-qualification from a recognised accountancy body in the UK or equivalent. You will be required to provide evidence of your qualification as part of the selection process.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Making Effective Decisions