Finance Officer

Finance Officer

Location: London, Manchester, Cheltenham

Salary: London: £40,428, Manchester and Cheltenham: £37,723

Specialist Pay may also be included for:

• Level 4 AAT qualification, or
• Part-qualified CCAB (e.g. CIMA Management Level, ACCA Applied Skills, ACA Professional Level, CIPFA Diploma)

Flexible working: due to the sensitive nature of the work, this role is entirely office-based. However, we know how important a healthy work-life balance is, which is why we offer part-time (minimum of four days), and compressed hours, with flexibility around start and finish times. Full time hours are up to 37 hours, depending on location.

About us MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in North means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

As a Finance Officer, you’ll play a key part in managing annual expenditure, with the focus of your work shaped by the team you join. In Financial Analysis, you’ll provide insights that help colleagues across the agencies make better decisions. In Financial Accounting and Reporting, you’ll summarise, analyse and detail financial transactions within the UK Intelligence Services. And in Financial Operations, you’ll help us respond and adapt to ever-evolving business needs.

Whichever team you join, you’ll support our vital work by overseeing budgets, reviewing spend, and bringing careful judgement to forecast assumptions. You'll also carry out accounting adjustments, from accruals to prepayments, ensuring the accounts always reflect the true position. Day to day, you’ll work closely with colleagues, stakeholders and business partners, helping others understand how to produce forecasts, interpret financial information, and manage their budgets with confidence. There may also be opportunities to take on line management responsibilities. Please note that this role sits within the Finance Capability, and you’ll be expected to remain in this area for a minimum of five years – long enough to really grow into the work and make it your own.

To apply, you’ll need demonstrable experience in a similar role and be actively working towards a Level 4 AAT qualification. Alternatively, you’ll hold (or be predicted) a 2:1 or above in a degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or Economics. Just as important as your skills is who you are. You’re collaborative, a problem-solver who’s able to build strong relationships, has a keen eye for detail, and has the drive to contribute to a mission that keeps the UK safe.

From the moment you join us, we want you to have all the support you need to continue growing. If you’re still working towards recognised financial qualifications such as AAT, ACCA, or CIMA, we’ll fund your studies. Once qualified, we'll cover your professional membership fees and make sure you stay sharp with ongoing technical development.

To help you manage any studies alongside your work, you'll receive a generous paid study leave package tailored to your qualification. You'll also have a dedicated study buddy, regular support from your line manager, and access to a wide range of internal communities, mentoring programmes and peer networks.

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

To find out more about this role, and to apply, please visit our website.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.