Trading Standards Accredited Financial Investigator
Job Summary
Contract Type:
Fixed Term
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
23/07/2026
Advert End Date:
26/08/2026 12:00
Salary:
£39,152 - £40,777
Job Category:
Environmental Health / Trading Standards / Licensing
Employment Location:
Seafield House (hybrid working)
Further Information
We’re looking for a qualified, experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated individual to join our ambitious and forward-thinking team as a Trading Standards Accredited Financial Investigator, on a fixed term (20-month) contract.
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who want to make a real difference and develop the success of this new and exciting role. You will take the lead on complex financial investigations, including confiscation, restraint, cash seizures, money laundering, and civil recovery. Utilising financial intelligence, you will work to uncover criminal activity and help recover assets, making a real difference in the fight against financial crime.
The successful candidate will be working for four days a week undertaking Financial Investigation work for the council and one day a week for Veritau Public Sector, the council’s counter fraud and internal audit service.
Redcar & Cleveland Trading Standards service is bold and ambitious. Our small, friendly and dedicated team are committed to agile working and continuous professional development. We champion innovation, collaboration, and a proactive approach to ensuring a safe, fair and legal trading environment. A can do, flexible and supportive attitude are at the forefront of what we do, every day.
Veritau is owned by local authorities across England, providing assurance services to a large and growing number of public sector organisations. Their aim is to provide highly regarded services which adds value for their clients. They undertake a wide range of services, including counter fraud, internal audit and information governance. Protecting the public purse is essential, particularly at a time when resources are under increased pressure.
You will undertake financial investigations under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), into offenders being investigated/prosecuted, with a view to recover the proceeds of crime and evidence criminal offences by using your powers under POCA. You will complete financial cases from investigation, and consequent follow-up actions in relation to money laundering, restraint and confiscation matters linked to investigations, through to Crown Court and High Court including civil recovery of cash and assets, to ensure that offenders do not benefit from the proceeds of crime.
You’ll also benefit from a highly supportive environment that encourages skill development and professional growth.
The full scale of Trading Standards disciplines includes; Fair Trading, Metrology, Product Safety, Age Restricted Sales, Illicit Tobacco & Vapes, Animal Feed & Farmed Animal Health & Welfare;
* Co-ordinating the Cleveland Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF): Bringing together Trading Standards professionals, victim care and support personnel, Adult Social Care, Specialist Police Fraud & Serious Organised Crime Officers and Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Office, all working together to reduce the numbers of scam victims and increase support to those in need of assistance. The Financial Fraud Advocates associated with part of this initiative have secured over £1million in monies returned to victims of scams and financial frauds in the Cleveland area.
* Managing the No Cold Calling Homes Scheme: Helping residents prevent doorstep scams, alongside strong partnership working with the Victim Care and Advice Service.
* Tackling illicit tobacco and vape sales: Working with the Smoke Free Alliance, HMRC and local partners to disrupt illegal supply chains and protect communities.
* Port enforcement at Teesport: Inspecting imported goods for safety and compliance—preventing over one million unsafe items from reaching UK consumers in the last four years.
We’re looking for candidates who can bring:
1. A commitment to protecting residents, supporting businesses and delivering high-quality outcomes
2. Significant experience in financial Investigations and financially based analytical work, compiling cases for court, including money laundering & confiscation, POCA practice and procedure, Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), Criminal Procedures Act (CPIA), Regulation of Investigative Powers Act (RIPA). ·
3. Experience of giving evidence in court, including for example: restraint, cash detention, listed asset, account freezing applications and ex- parte with the judge.
4. Qualifications as an Accredited Financial Investigator and able to utilise powers under Part 8 (investigations) of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, including making ex parte applications to Crown Court. Accredited Confiscator and able to utilise Powers under Part 2 (restraint, search and seize and confiscation), including section 47, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
5. Completed and maintained Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements and assessments set by the NCA Regulator, to retain Parts 2 & 8 accreditation in line with National Crime Agency requirements.
6. Strong problem solving, research, analytical and informed decision-making skills alongside meticulous record keeping ability.
7. Good verbal and written communication skills along with great organisational and planning techniques. Self-motivation with inclusive team working approach. Flexible with excellent attention to detail, curiosity and resilience.
8. Ability to work under pressure, multitask, prioritise and achieve deadlines
9. Collaborative partnership working mindset, with ability to build effective partnerships and professional networks, spanning the breaths of organisations.
10. Experience of operating in a local authority regulatory enforcement setting would be an advantage, particularly within a Trading Standards Service setting. As would the accreditation to utilise Powers under Part 5 (civil recovery in summary proceedings) Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
A passion for protecting consumers, supporting business compliance and ensuring monies gained though criminality are recovered, along with a genuine desire to work hard and achieve the best for the communities we serve are essential.
For an informal discussion about the role and to find out more, once you have read the full job description, please don't hesitate to contact Laura Southwell –Trading Standards Team Manager. Email: Laura.Southwell@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or
Telephone: 01287 612619.
Employee Benefits and Rewards
We offer a range very attractive Employee Benefits and Rewards including
- Generous annual leave of up to 34 days per year
- Hybrid Working (where appropriate)
- Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Access to numerous other salary sacrifice schemes
- Access to our employee health and wellbeing platform, which includes an exciting range of staff benefits, including, spreading the cost of home and electronics, bike shop, car scheme, gym membership, lifestyle savings
- A range of Staff Network groupsFor more details: https://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/benefits-and-rewards