Deputy Technical Director

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) mission is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and holding to account those responsible for delivering them. We are the UK Competent Authority for audit. We also set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work, and monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. Further information about our role can be found at www.frc.org.uk.

The UK Endorsement Board (UKEB) was established by the UK Government to take forward the work of influencing the development of international accounting standards. Key aspects of the work of the UKEB are to influence and contribute to the development of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards, assessing them for adoption in the UK and ensuring that they are fit for purpose for use by UK companies. This role provides an exciting opportunity to be part of the team that supports the work of the UKEB to assess IFRS accounting standard for application by UK entities, influence their development and undertake thought-leadership activities to contribute to the international development of financial reporting.

The Role:

The role involves working closely with the Director and the Chair to set the strategic direction for the technical work of the UKEB, to ensure delivery to the Board’s Strategic Plan and in line with its budget. Key to this role is ensuring that the UKEB fulfils all statutory functions within the remit of the technical team, in the most efficient and effective way, in service of understandable and transparent financial reporting that ensures the international competitiveness of the UK capital market.

Within this overall responsibility, key accountabilities will include:

• Supporting the Director, developing strategy and responses, to ensure strong output for the UKEB.
• Collaborating on the more strategic projects and initiatives aimed at high quality and timely delivery of influencing and endorsement projects.
• Deputising for the Director.
• Ensuring the timely preparation of technical papers for discussion at the Board’s public sessions.
• Active involvement in cross-FRC initiatives, particularly those that impact strategy.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with strategic and high profile stakeholders of the UKEB.
• Leading efforts to increase ‘joined up’ ways of working within the UKEB team but also with other FRC colleagues.
• Direct line management of a proportion of team members, including the heads of workstreams.
• Working with the Director and other senior Secretariat team to ensure on-going team management and development.
• Work with the Director to set the culture of the team in line with the guiding principles of transparency, accountability, independence and thought leadership.

The Person:

Educated to degree level and with a relevant professional qualification and ten years post qualification experience, the candidate requires strong knowledge of the financial reporting environment of listed companies and a keen interest in IFRS. The ideal candidate would be a self-motivated individual who is committed and enthusiastic. In addition, the candidate will have:

Essential:

• Experience of working in accountancy, corporate law or financial regulation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the wider public interest issues that arise from the UKEB’s work in influencing and adopting IFRS accounting standards.
• A good understanding of the due processes of the international accounting standard-setting process and related organisations.
• A sound understanding of:
• the function of financial reporting in capital markets,
• the law relating to corporate reporting and
• the role of the UKEB and its statutory functions.
• Strategic thinking and development; ability to identify and assess key strategic issues and develop strategies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills – the ability to listen, assess and assimilate others’ perspectives, discuss concerns and proposals openly and address them diplomatically and persuasively.
• An ability to manage staff effectively and to work collaboratively with team members and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating respect for others, the ability to establish credibility, and to influence effectively, at senior levels.
• Able to manage complex projects, including setting and meeting deadlines and managing working groups.
• Resilient and confident in managing competing demands.
• Willing and demonstrably able to act with integrity and impartiality, independently of any individual or collective stakeholder interest.
• A passion to secure the public interest.
• Flexible and collaborative.

Desirable:

• Engaging successfully and confidently with external stakeholders at a senior level.
• Strategy development.

Rewards and benefits

• The FRC offers remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave, flexible bank holidays plus ability to buy extra leave.
• Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.
• Staff Employee Assistance Programme including confidential counselling and work life services.
• The FRC offers staff the opportunity to save at least 25% on the purchase of a new bike through the Cycle to work scheme.
• The FRC has a strong work/life balance ethos.

The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to being an inclusive employer. Our values of being fair and independent supports this commitment. We're a signatory to the Government's Disability Confident scheme, which means that we guarantee an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role.

The role is based in our London office. The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the team’s activities. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement with its workforce, with precise arrangements to be agreed between the employee and the line manager. FRC operates a four-day fortnight in the office.

Please apply by following the link on our website https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers and uploading a copy of your CV and covering letter as a single document upload. In the covering letter, please set out, by reference to the person specification above how you meet the required skillset.

The closing date for applications is 8^th November 2024.