Financial Investigator

Discover what its like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.

HMRCs Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the departments civil and criminal investigations. FIS ensures that HMRC has an effective approach to tackling the most serious tax evasion and fraud.

FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery teams to name but a few. We use a range of powers and approaches to protect funding for UK public services, investigating the most harmful tax cheats and ensuring none are beyond our reach. We target a variety of threats, including complex offshore evasion, international smuggling of illicit excise goods, exports of controlled weapons and technology, labour market abuses, money laundering, VAT and Self-Assessment repayment frauds and a host of other fraudulent attacks.

The Economic Crime (EC) deputy directorate brings together our Supervision, Proceeds of Crime Operations and Illicit Finance teams and forms an integral part of the HMRC Serious Fraud Strategy. Working closely across the department and the wider Law Enforcement community, using specialist expertise and modern technology we put illicit finance at the centre of operations. Our operational teams tackle the financial aspects of cases that will ultimately deter, disrupt, and remove assets from tax fraudsters to level the playing field for the honest majority. EC has several specialist teams who perform unique functions within HMRC, but which are common to other areas of the public sector.

For more information about our Directorates, Lines of Business and some of our roles, please visit the FIS Careers pages [ HMRC Fraud Investigation Service , Civil Service Careers ].

Join HMRC as a Financial Investigator and be part of a specialist Economic Crime Operations team, where you will be at the forefront of disrupting serious tax fraud and illicit financial flows.

This role sits within HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, focusing on recovering proceeds of crime and disrupting financial criminal activity. This position combines investigative expertise with legal knowledge to identify, restrain, and confiscate assets derived from criminal conduct.

You will conduct and lead financial investigations across recovery areas, collaborating with tax professionals, insolvency specialists, forensic accountants and Economic Crime teams to identify effective recovery methods.

You will deliver complex and impactful investigations including restraint and confiscation, detained cash investigations and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Part 5 work.

The role requires attention to detail, and the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. As a Financial Investigator, you will be at the forefront of HMRC's efforts to protect public finances and maintain the integrity of the UK's tax system.

To carry out the responsibilities of a Financial Investigator, you must hold accreditation from the National Crime Agency (NCA). If you do not currently have this accreditation, full training and support will be provided to help you obtain it.

Additionally, you will respond to criminal and civil investigations commenced after a referral from our partners at Border Force. You will lead colleagues through (and undertake) a range of investigative tasks, including arrest and interview of suspects; crime scene management; compiling charging files for consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service and other evidential enquiries relevant to the progression of cases.

You will also be required to gain HMRC Authorised Officer status. If this is not already held, you will need to complete HMRCs Authorised Officer training. Your training pathway will be determined by your existing law enforcement experience and will follow either the Criminal Investigation Foundation Pathway which includes a Training and Assessment Period or the Accelerated Pathway. The appropriate route will be confirmed following successful completion of the sift and interview stages.

As successful completion of the training is essential to performing the role, candidates who do not meet this requirement will be redeployed to an appropriate position within HMRC where feasible.

This role aims to maximise the recovery of criminal assets within the UK and overseas, supporting Civil and Criminal Operations from a financial perspective.

Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Court Applications and Case Preparation : Prepare and present cases at Magistrates and Crown Court, making applications (e.g., restraint, search warrants, production orders), responding to judicial queries, and giving evidence when required. Act as an Assurance Officer in accordance with POCA 2002 and relevant legislation.
• Material Analysis : Identify, secure and analyse financial and case-related material to improve recovery opportunities.
• Stakeholder Relationships : Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure Illicit Finance is at the heart of all FIS investigation work.
• Mentoring and Support : Provide peer mentoring to team members, to develop capability and maintain high standards of Financial Investigation practice.
• Case Management and Quality Assurance : Manage cases efficiently, keeping accurate records, progressing work on time, and complying with legislation, casework standards and systems.
• Management Information : Maintain accurate Management Information on an ongoing basis.
• Operational Planning : Plan, lead, and deploy operationally (where training dictates) to enhance financial investigations across other areas of Fraud Investigation Service and maximise asset recovery opportunities.
• Continuous Professional Development : Complete mandatory training and maintain relevant professional certifications: including NCA POCC registration. Keep up to date with changes in legislation, guidance and financial crime developments.
• Role Model : Act as a role model by demonstrating HMRC values and capabilities.

The role may also include acting as a Tutor to support the development of others as Financial Investigators. Additionally, it may also include HR line management responsibilities for Financial Investigators, Financial Intelligence Officers and other Economic Crime Operations staff.

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills. You should have a proven ability to think laterally and drive forward investigations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to effectively engage and negotiate with both internal and external stakeholders.
• An ability to work closely as part of a team, building effective working relationships.
• A proven ability to present complex information clearly and concisely drawing out key conclusions and providing well-reasoned recommendations.
• Resilience with the ability to adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment, reprioritising own work throughout periods of change.
• High level of attention to detail ensuring accuracy and quality in all aspects of work.

Essential Criteria:

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

Recent experience (within the last three years) in conducting criminal, civil, tax or regulatory investigations, or managing teams delivering this work.

Or

Must hold one of the following qualifications:

• Level 4 Diploma Accredited Counter-Fraud Specialist/Officer
• BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Enforcement (Investigation).
• Level 4 Diploma Accredited Counter-Fraud Manager
• Accredited Counter-Fraud Technician (ACFTech).
• Professionalising Investigations Programme PIP Level 2 (PIP2).

Additionally, candidates must hold a Full UK Driving Licence.

We recognise that some people cannot drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. Where this applies, you can apply but will need to ...