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Working in Insolvency

The work you can do

Key skills

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Commercial awareness

Understanding how organisations operate and where financial pressures arise is essential. This insight helps you analyse situations clearly, identify practical solutions and support businesses.

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Communication skills

Explaining financial issues clearly is a key part of insolvency work. Being able to communicate information accurately and confidently helps stakeholders understand the situation and make informed decisions.

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Diplomacy

Insolvency professionals often need to communicate difficult information and manage different perspectives. Taking a thoughtful and balanced approach helps ensure conversations remain constructive and solutions-focused.

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Interpersonal skills

Working in insolvency means collaborating with colleagues, business owners and other stakeholders during important moments. Building strong relationships helps you work effectively with others.

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Professionalism

Insolvency work requires a high level of responsibility and trust. Maintaining strong professional standards ensures you handle complex financial matters carefully.

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Sensitivity

Financial difficulties can be challenging for individuals and organisations alike. Approaching situations with care and understanding helps you support those involved.

Meet Becky Dacre

Becky Dacre, Office Managing Partner at Forvis Mazars, explains what insolvency is and the type of work she does. She also shares insight into how insolvency professionals support businesses and individuals when they face financial difficulty.

Working in insolvency

ICAEW Chartered Accountants offer advice on how to improve a company’s cashflow and offer potential ways in which restructuring finances could enable the organisation to continue trading.

If a business cannot be saved, they will need an expert in insolvency to guide them through the process. This can often involve coordinating the sale of the organisation’s assets and paying creditors.

A chartered accountant’s role might also include explaining to stakeholders the nature of the agreements in place.

You will:

  • Advise the effective management of cash and working capital;
  • Renegotiate existing finances;
  • Advise on areas for business improvement;
  • Guide the business through the insolvency or winding-up process; and
  • Explain legislation and timescales for legal procedures.

Why work in insolvency?

Specialising in insolvency offers ICAEW Chartered Accountants the opportunity to provide valuable advice to companies at challenging and difficult times.

The support you give can help struggling businesses to bounce back, offering massive job satisfaction, and for those undergoing insolvency your efforts can help to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

The job can at times be challenging so you will need to be someone with strong emotional intellegence. You will be required to work professionally while also showing sensitivity to the situation the company finds itself in.