Career Development Role: Personal Assistant to Qualified Accountant & Compliance Officer 

FCA-Regulated Financial Services Firm, Central London 

Salary: £40-42k starting | £70-85k+ progression potential 

Hours: Full-time with flexible arrangements 

Career Path: 5-year development program to Senior Management Function (SMF16/17) 

Investment: Full funding for ACCA/CIMA qualifications + study leave (£15-20k+ value) 

The Opportunity 

We're doing something different. We're a small FCA-regulated financial services firm looking for someone talented and ambitious who needs more flexibility than traditional graduate programs offer.  

This isn't a typical role - it's a career investment with a clear value exchange. 

You'll start as a personal assistant to our CEO (19+ years of finance and economics expertise including regulated industries) who will directly mentor and train you. The PA responsibilities aren't incidental - they're how you'll free up the CEO's time to invest in your development. In exchange, we'll fully fund your professional qualifications (ACCA/CIMA - worth £15-20k+), provide hands-on training, and guide you over 4-5 years to become our FCA-approved Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer - a Senior Management Function role that typically takes 10+ years to reach. 

The value exchange is straightforward: 

• You provide: Time-saving PA support (especially in early years), commitment to professional qualifications, flexibility across diverse tasks, and 5-year dedication to the development pathway 
• We provide: Full qualification funding + study leave, direct CEO mentorship, hands-on regulatory training, flexible working around your life needs, and a clear path to £70-85k+ SMF role 

We're looking for someone who: 

• Has the capability for Big 4 or top-tier firms, but needs flexibility they can't provide 
• Wants serious career progression while managing real-life responsibilities 
• Understands that early-career PA work is an investment in freeing up time for your training, not a permanent state 
• Values direct mentorship and qualification funding over corporate grad scheme structure 
• Is detail-oriented, trustworthy, professionally mature, and genuinely committed to study 

Who This Role Is Perfect For 

This role is ideal if you: 

• Have caring responsibilities (children, elderly parents) that require flexible hours 
• Are a career changer with transferable skills entering finance/accounting 
• Are a mature student or graduate who can't commit to Big 4 travel/overtime expectations 
• Have financial constraints that prevented traditional accounting paths but still have the ambition 
• Are completing part-time qualifications (ACCA, CIMA, Master's) and need accommodating employment 
• Want direct partner exposure and real responsibility early in your career 

The Development Journey 

Year 1: Foundation & Observation 

Why the PA focus: You're learning from scratch, and the CEO needs uninterrupted time to train you. By handling logistics, scheduling, and family coordination, you create the space for your own development. 

Responsibilities: 

• Personal assistant duties (70%): School pickups, social calendar management, venue booking, family logistics, freeing up CEO time for business and your training 
• Bookkeeping basics (30%): Ledger maintenance, expense tracking, learning accounting systems under direct CEO supervision 
• Compliance exposure: Shadow compliance meetings, read policies, understand FCA environment during CEO-led training sessions 

What you'll gain: 

• Foundation in bookkeeping and financial systems through hands-on CEO mentorship 
• Understanding of FCA regulatory framework 
• Basic AML awareness training (we pay all costs) 
• Direct exposure to business operations and decision-making 
• Begin ACCA/CIMA study program (we pay all fees, exams, materials, and provide study leave) 

Year 2: Building Technical Skills 

Why PA continues: You're still developing technical competency. PA work continues to free CEO time for your ongoing training and supervision as you take on more complex work. 

Responsibilities: 

• Personal assistant duties (50%): Ongoing support freeing CEO time for mentorship and business development 
• Bookkeeping ownership (30%): Month-end processes, reconciliations, financial reporting support - with decreasing supervision 
• Compliance administration (20%): Maintain compliance registers, file regulatory reports, support client due diligence 

What you'll gain: 

• ICA Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering (we pay all fees, exam costs, study materials) 
• Practical bookkeeping competency through applied learning 
• Hands-on regulatory administration experience 
• Increased autonomy in financial processes 
• Progress through ACCA/CIMA exams (continued full funding and study  

Year 3: Transition to Compliance Focus 

Why PA reduces: You're now competent enough to add significant value independently. The time investment from CEO decreases as you require less supervision, naturally reducing the need for PA support. 

Responsibilities: 

• Personal assistant duties (30%): Reduced as your technical value increases 
• Finance work (30%): Financial analysis, business development support, accounting oversight - mostly independent 
• Compliance work (40%): Transaction monitoring, client due diligence reviews, suspicious activity analysis 

What you'll gain: 

• Progress toward ACCA/CIMA or compliance professional qualification (we pay all fees, exam costs, study materials, and provide study leave) 
• Real compliance analytical experience with increasing independence 
• Business development and client interaction skills 
• Growing regulatory expertise 
• Near completion of professional qualification 

Year 4: Compliance Officer in Training 

Why PA is minimal: You're now a qualified professional adding substantial value. The CEO's training investment has paid off - you're operating largely independently and the value exchange has shifted. 

Responsibilities: 

• Minimal personal assistant duties (time freed up by your technical competency) 
• Finance responsibilities (40%): Financial reporting, tax preparation support, business analysis - full ownership 
• Compliance responsibilities (60%): Policy drafting, risk assessments, regulatory change implementation 

What you'll gain: 

• Junior Compliance Officer title 
• SMF16/17-specific training (we pay all fees and provide study time) 
• Preparation for FCA approval process 
• Leadership of compliance workstreams 
• ACCA/CIMA qualification completed 

Year 5+: Senior Management Function 

Responsibilities: 

• FCA-approved Compliance Oversight (SMF16) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (SMF17) 
• Strategic compliance leadership 
• Direct board reporting 
• Regulatory relationship management 

What you'll gain: 

• Senior Management Function status - a significant career milestone 
• Full accountability for firm's compliance framework 
• Professional recognition in regulated financial services 
• Market-leading compensation for compliance professionals 

What We're Looking For 

Essential: 

• Degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related field (or equivalent experience) 
• Commitment to completing professional qualifications (ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) - this is non-negotiable 
• Strong analytical and organizational skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication 
• High integrity and professional maturity 
• Comfortable with both detail work and interpersonal tasks 
• Genuine interest in financial services regulation and compliance 
• Right to work in the UK preferred, sponsorship possible for the right candidate 

Desirable: 

• Already started ACCA, CIMA, or accounting qualifications (we'll continue funding your progress) 
• Experience in roles requiring discretion and confidentiality 
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities 
• Interest in or exposure to financial services 
• Clean DBS check (required for role involving children) 

Personal qualities: 

• Self-motivated and proactive 
• Adaptable and comfortable with variety 
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through 
• Professional judgment and discretion 
• Collaborative and team-oriented 
• Long-term career focus with commitment to growth 

Application Process 

To apply, please send: 

1. Your CV - highlighting relevant education and experience 
2. A cover letter (max 500 words) addressing:  
3. Why this unusual hybrid role appeals to you 
4. What constraints or circumstances make this opportunity better suited to you than traditional graduate programs 
5. Your genuine interest in regulatory compliance as a career path 
6. Your commitment to completing professional qualifications (ACCA/CIMA) and how you'll balance study with work responsibilities 
7. What you'd bring to the personal assistant aspects of the role 
8. Your commitment to the 5-year development pathway 
9. Optional: Brief description of your current circumstances requiring flexibility (we respect privacy but want to ensure we can accommodate your needs) 

Initial conversations will explore: 

• Your career aspirations and how they align with this path 
• Your flexibility needs and how we can accommodate them 
• Mutual assessment of fit and long-term commitment 
• Understanding of FCA environment and regulatory work 
• Practical scenarios for both PA and compliance aspects 

To apply or discuss informally: talent@economicdatasciences.com 

Application deadline: 10/02/2026 We're committed to diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from those who haven't followed traditional paths into financial services.