Trainee Finance Officer Scheme Ref. 2201

Stonewall Top Employer AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardThe Times Top 100Disability confident leader

Finance, Audit and Procurement
Cheltenham
Cheltenham - £23,151

Finance is an integral part of our Agencies’ key mission, helping to keep the country safe. In recognition of this, our Agencies have collaborated to create a 3-year Trainee Finance Officer scheme.

This is an ideal role for school leavers, people returning to work after a career break or those looking for a change and is an excellent foundation to get your finance career started.

The Scheme

Our scheme offers you the opportunity to work and study whilst earning a salary! You will gain valuable knowledge and experience of working in a busy corporate finance environment, that will provide you with excellent opportunities to work in a variety of areas within finance.

You will have a dedicated qualified mentor and be supported through your Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, studying Foundation, Advanced, and Professional levels, at a rate of one per year.

Whilst this is a permanent role, you will be expected to complete the required examinations over 3 years, meet set objectives and work to agreed standards.

Opportunities to progress may also be available and will be subject to the same criteria.

Knowing that your contribution is helping to keep the nation safe makes this scheme unique and rewarding!

Key Responsibilities

In addition to studying for the AAT qualification, students will assist with day to day financial processing duties and these may include some, or all, of these activities:
•    Assisting with financial monthly and end of year processes
•    Assisting with processing payments and employees’ claims
•    Dealing with queries and identifying and resolving issues
•    Reviewing accounting documents, producing routine reports and summaries for management as required
•    Attending tailored financial and soft skills learning & development
•    Learning more about the UK Intelligence agencies and our wider mission
•    Working with other teams across all Departments


The Person

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with an enthusiasm for finance and a dedication to learning and development. Naturally, you will need a head for figures and have confidence in processing and interpreting data.

You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work towards your own goals and to succeed together as a team.

Attention to detail is a key skill required for the role and of course you must have a genuine interest in finance.

You will have the ability to work both as part of a team and autonomously.


Qualifications
•    Experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel is essential.
•    GCSE English & Maths A*-C/9-4 (or equivalent) is essential.

Ideally you will be studying, or have already attained, one of the following at A-Level:- Economics, Business Studies or Maths


BEFORE YOU APPLY

We are currently accepting applications for this role based in Cheltenham only. Due to the high number of applications received we will no longer be accepting applications based in London. Please note, we do not cover relocation costs.  

Honesty and integrity are crucial if you want to work for the UK Intelligence Agencies. Giving misleading information or omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously. You should ensure that you follow our guidance from when you apply.  

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
 
Initially, we will ask you to complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria we will then ask you to begin an application.  

You will need to create a login and provide your full name, email address and memorable password. Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete a registration form, providing contact details and equal opportunities mentoring information.
 
You will then be invited to complete an online application form with a supporting personal statement.

If you pass the sift, you will be required to attend a telephone interview which should last approximately 25 minutes and will check that you have the potential skills and motivation to work for us.

Successful applicants will be invited to an interview, which will include some competency-based questions and further explore your motivation to work for the UK Intelligence agencies.

This will be followed by a security interview with a vetting officer which will take place in Central London or Cheltenham. This is an important part of the selection process. It is an interview to explore your life and experiences and is not a competency or capability-based interview.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process in order to progress to the next.

OFFER OF INTERVIEW

As part of our commitment to being a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the role that they are applying for. To secure an interview for this vacancy, the minimum criteria are:

Eligibility Questions - You will be asked a series of questions relating to this vacancy. If you meet the criteria you will be directed to the application form.  
On successful completion of this application form you will be invited to a telephone interview. This is our offer of interview.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last 10 years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty's Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the How to Apply section.

DISCRETION

Owing to the sensitivity of our work, we do not publicly disclose the identities of our staff. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The UK Intelligence Agencies are Equal Opportunities employers, committed to reflecting the society we protect.  Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. We particularly welcome applications from diverse and under-represented groups.  

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful on this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.