Finance

I joined the organisation at 19. Previously, I worked at a building society and finished my A-Levels in the 6 months prior to joining. I was drawn to the organisation due to the generous holiday and flexible working, but mainly the ability to study towards my finance qualifications whilst gaining experience on the job. I work in the Financial Accounts team as a Trainee Finance Officer. My main role is to ensure month-end processes are executed smoothly and to assist in providing accurate information to contribute to the annual accounts. Additionally, I’m studying towards my AAT qualification and aim to be qualified in the next 18-24 months. I thoroughly enjoy the role I’m in as it’s fast paced and I have a considerable amount of support around me, meaning that I’m learning all the time!

After graduating at the start of the pandemic, I worked night shifts in a supermarket and then moved over to a private sector role focused around cyber insurance before applying for MI5. I applied because I wanted to be in an office environment where I could be exposed to different areas of the business, so I could learn and be proactive. This wasn’t happening in my previous job as I was working from home a lot. I like that the organisation is supporting me in gaining my AAT qualifications. MI5 is also highly considerate in regards to the time commitment involved in gaining these qualifications, by providing a generous amount of study days to focus on my revision.

I have always wanted to work in an environment where I feel like I am making a difference and contributing to a better world. With many years experience of Finance in a variety of other organisations in the private sector, I was looking for a more fulfilling role with stability in an ever changing world. I was finally able to join the agency after many years of wanting to be part of this unique sector. My role involves working with other government agencies to provide governance and assurance on our finances. I am fortunate to work with a variety of people in a role that is involved in different projects all the time which makes it much more interesting than normal everyday finance I have experienced anywhere else.

I help the organisations obtain good spending settlements and then help ensure that those finances are well managed. I joined because the work sounded interesting and worthwhile. I have now worked here for over 30 years in a range of roles across our organisation in most mission areas. I joined straight from school and qualified as a chartered internal auditor whilst here, before moving into the Finance team. What I like most about working here is the simplicity of purpose – keeping people safe and furthering the UK’s interests at home and overseas – has not changed in my time working here. It is motivating, humbling and easy to buy into so all staff are aiming in the same direction.

I joined MI5 10 years ago after 5 years in the private sector. I joined because I wanted to get experience in the public sector to widen my skillset as well as do something that benefits others. The plan was to stay for 5 years... I liked it so much I stayed! I am currently Head of Resource Accounts, which is great because I get to use my technical knowledge from my studies and the role allows me to get involved in a breadth of subjects. What I like about the organisation is that over the last 10 years I have worked across multiple teams in Finance which has been amazing for developing my skills and knowledge, creating relationships and also helping me progress through the grades.