I’ve been investigating fraud since 2015, when I joined the Serious Fraud Office. I was driven by a desire to tackle the real-world harm that fraud causes its victims. Tracing and recovering the proceeds of crime strengthened my commitment to financial investigations. It also inspired me to qualify with ACCA, in order to develop the technical expertise and credibility to investigate financial crime.
My career then took me to the financial services firm Kroll, where I worked on many complex, crossborder cases. These included recovering stolen funds but also helping clients strengthen their systems to prevent financial crime in the first place.
You’re not simply crunching numbers; you’re thinking like a detective
Today, I work in the Financial Conduct Authority’s perimeter team, protecting consumers from unauthorised companies. I’ve come full circle, as I combine my investigative skills with a mission that reflects my values: protecting consumers and promoting integrity in the financial system.
Unlike other finance roles, forensic accounting isn’t just about producing numbers or financial statements; it’s about uncovering the story behind them. It requires a different mindset. You’re not simply crunching numbers; you’re thinking like a detective. Some colleagues have suggested we have an ‘identity crisis’ because we sit at the intersection of accounting and investigation. As an investigator with a specialist skillset, my ACCA training allows me to interpret complex financial data, spot and then connect the dots to support our investigations. The blend of analytical precision and investigative curiosity makes forensic accounting very distinctive and rewarding.
One of my proudest achievements has been supporting colleagues as a staff representative. This gave me the chance to listen, advocate and help people through difficult situations. I’m happy to have made a positive difference to colleagues’ experiences and to contribute to building a supportive culture.
I enjoy the patience and sense of reward that come with growing things
My favourite saying is great advice from Barack Obama, which I wish I’d embraced earlier in my career: ‘Just learn how to get stuff done.’ This important skill I learned the hard way. The best way to build a reputation is to approach challenges with an attitude of ‘let me take care of that’ and deliver results.
If I had law-making powers, I’d introduce a scheme like Denmark’s, where tourists are rewarded for good deeds, but expand it to the wider population. It’s a creative way to encourage greener, cleaner and more community-focused behaviour, showing that small, positive actions can add up to real social impact.
If I didn’t work in finance, I’d be a vegetable farmer. My wife and I have an allotment and we’ve discovered we have surprisingly green fingers – even managing to keep our whole street stocked with fresh tomatoes this summer. I enjoy the patience and sense of reward that come with growing things. It’s actually similar to investigations: if you put in the hard work early, eventually you’ll get the results.
Outside of work, I enjoy a mix of creative and active hobbies. I play the guitar, which I find both relaxing and a great challenge. I also enjoy gardening and being outside, and I’m passionate about outdoor swimming; there’s something invigorating about cold water that clears your head like nothing else.
