Head of Regulatory Compliance and Ethics

Location: Finchley, with time spent in City (hybrid working)

Days/Hours Worked: Monday-Friday, 35-hour week (flexitime)

Our Vision:

We are creating a sustainable business where our people love to work, clients grow from our advice, and we achieve great things together.

What Makes Us Different:

As a longstanding member of DFK International, a global association of accounting firms, we support our clients worldwide when needed. Our clients range in size from small sole traders to multinational groups. We believe they all have one thing in common: they want cutting-edge technical excellence with a hands-on, professional, and personal service that they can rely on to add value and deliver results.

Our holistic approach to service delivery means that our clients always have a central point of contact with a person who understands their issues. It also means our people understand a client's needs from every angle. We aim to inspire and support each other to be at our best, so we can make a lasting difference to our clients, the community, and our firm.

What We Value:

• Think Big: We are always challenging ourselves to think differently and reimagine what’s possible.
• In It Together: We are a business for everyone. We work together and care about each other.
• Take Pride: We work with conviction, seeking to be the best version of ourselves.
• Do the Right Thing: We value fairness, honesty, and integrity above all else.
• Enjoy It: We bring our whole selves to work every day.

Role Summary:

The Head of Regulatory Compliance and Ethics is responsible for overseeing all regulatory and ethical compliance matters within the firm, ensuring adherence to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) regulations. This role includes monitoring and enforcing compliance policies, developing risk management frameworks, and fostering a culture of ethical behaviour across the organization. The ideal candidate will act as a key advisor to the leadership team, providing insights and guidance on regulatory compliance and ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure the firm’s full compliance with ICAEW regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Stay informed on changes to ICAEW regulations and communicate relevant updates to the firm’s leadership and teams.
• Oversee and conduct regular internal audits to ensure adherence to ICAEW regulations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance framework in line with ICAEW standards.
• Manage the completion of all ICAEW Annual Returns.
• Serve as the primary contact for all ICAEW and FRC regulatory reviews.
• Ultimately be named as the Group’s Audit Compliance Partner, Practice Assurance Partner, Ethics Partner, and Bribery Officer.
• Ensure compliance with Designated Professional Body (DPB) regulations.
• Oversight of client money including compliance with the ICAEW Client Money Regulations.

Ethical Compliance:

• Establish and promote ethical policies and procedures to maintain high standards of integrity and professional conduct.
• Advise and train staff on ethical best practices.
• Investigate any potential breaches of ethical standards and recommend corrective actions.
• Act as a trusted resource for employees on ethical issues.

Risk Management:

• Identify compliance risks and develop proactive strategies to mitigate potential issues.
• Regularly assess compliance risks across all departments.
• Involvement with any potential acquisitions and newly integrated businesses.
• Collaborate with teams to implement corrective actions for any compliance risks or issues identified.

Policy Development and Enforcement:

• Create, maintain, and update compliance policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Conduct annual DPB reviews and report to the DPB contact partner.
• Ensure all employees are aware of compliance policies and procedures.
• Enforce compliance policies, addressing any non-compliance promptly.

Training:

• Develop and deliver training programs on ICAEW regulations, ethical standards, and compliance best practices.
• Foster a culture of compliance through ongoing education and awareness initiatives.
• Ensure all staff understand their regulatory and ethical responsibilities.

Reporting and Communication:

• Report on compliance matters to the leadership team.
• Serve as the main point of contact for compliance-related inquiries from external regulators.
• Prepare and present reports on compliance and ethical practices.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills required:

Education: Degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, or a related field.

Professional Qualifications: Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA) or similar, with ICAEW membership preferred.

Experience: Substantial experience in senior compliance, risk management, or a related field within an accountancy practice or professional services firm.

Skills and Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of ICAEW regulations and ethical standards.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, audit, and risk management processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.

Personal Attributes:

• Ethical and professional approach.
• Forward thinking and self-motivated.
• Personable, pragmatic, diplomatic, and approachable.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, you will be required to undertake GDPR training in order to fully understand the regulations and ensure all work is carried out in a compliant manner. Wilson Wright is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates eligible to work in the UK.