The role

The Financial Times has an opening for an accountancy correspondent to join the London Newsroom.

The role of accountancy correspondent has grown in scope and profile in recent years as the world’s biggest accounting firms revisit their business models in response to regulatory pressure and the rapid growth of their consulting divisions.

At the same time, financial reporting and corporate governance have come under greater scrutiny. False accounting has been a major factor in a string of corporate scandals, including the collapses of Wirecard and NMC Health. Governments are planning to shake up the sector.

This job involves covering not only the Big Four accountancy firms and their smaller competitors but also the regulators tasked with holding them to account, as well as the investors and politicians demanding higher standards.

High inflation and interest rates are placing financial pressure on companies, creating a potential increase in work for firms with corporate restructuring and insolvency expertise.

The accountancy correspondent will be expected to work closely with colleagues from across the newsroom and, in particular, the US Accounting Editor.

Key duties:

• Lead coverage of the global accountancy sector as the industry’s main players restructure in response to rapid growth in the consulting market, high-profile auditing scandals and calls for reform

• Bring in high-profile scoops about the Big Four - Deloitte,EY, KPMG and PwC - and their mid-tier rivals, on issues such as: work won and lost, behaviour and culture, financial performance, strategic changes, regulatory interventions, leadership changes and M&A

• Report on changes to accounting and financial reporting regulation, government scrutiny of the sector, and industry lobbying efforts

• Break news on regulatory sanctions and legal actions involving accountancy firms and investigate errors, misconduct and wrongdoing

• Break news on other large consulting firms, including McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Bain and Accenture

• Be the first to report on the roles of accountancy firms and their boutique rivals in corporate administrations and insolvencies

• Analyse the changing business models of accountancy groups and their positions in wider society, including financial markets

Please submit your application by the end of the day, 8th June 2023.

Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

How we work

Our hybrid setup means staff are expected to come into the office 3 days a week.

Our office is located across the street from St. Paul's Cathedral and is easily accessible from all corners of London. There are the main train terminals such as Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Blackfriars, City Thameslink or Waterloo all situated within walking distance or there are several tube stations within a few mins walk such as Mansion House (District or Circle line), St. Paul's (Central line), Bank (Central or Waterloo & City line) or Barbican (Central, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan lines).

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact a member of our HR team who will be happy to help.

About the Financial Times

Across the FT Group, our people are united by a mission to deliver world-class information, news and services to our global audiences. Our global, award-winning editorial team represents the gold standard in journalism, seeking depth, originality and balance that differentiates us from the pack and engages our subscribers.

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