Financial Accountant

Job DescriptionFlexible working: due to its sensitive nature this role is office-based and home-workingwill not be possible. We value a good work-life balance and offer part-time (minimum 4days), compressed hours, and flexibility around start and finish times. Full time hours areup to 37 hours, depending on location.About usMI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states toharm 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, includingMI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provideadvice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how tokeep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means youll do unique and challenging work in asupportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK nationalsecurity. The roleOur finance teams keep internal spending on-track, which makes them critical to ourwork. As a Financial Accountant, you could be working in one of the various teams acrossour finance function. During the recruitment process, well get to know you and assesswhich area best reflects your strengths and interests. Financial AnalysisOne area you could join is Financial Analysis. This team provides key insights that guidedecision-making across the organisation. As a Financial Accountant here, youll beresponsible for key month-end activities and ensuring reports are accurate. Youll keepour financial systems reliable by maintaining strong controls, and youll use managementreports to provide insightful analysis for senior managers. Youll manage all month-endactivity, approve journals, support budget profiling and produce forecasts. Youll explainsignificant changes in forecasts or actuals where needed, produce management reportsand build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, while leading your own smallteam.nFinancial Accounting and ReportingOr you could join our Financial Accounting and Reporting team. They handle the summary,analysis and reporting of financial transactions made by the agencies. In this area, youllinterpret data and carry out analysis that gives senior managers the assurance they need,ensuring the right information reaches the right people. Youll gather supportinginformation in line with accounting standards, query and challenge data, and ensureeverything is documented clearly for audit purposes. Youll analyse monthly balancesheet reconciliations, interpret financial data for the annual report and accounts,complete the NAO disclosure checklist and escalate potential issues when needed. In allyou do, youll always communicate clearly when explaining how data aligns withstandards and maintain strong controls to keep information accurate.Financial OperationsFinally, theres Financial Operations. This team manages accounts payable, accountsreceivable, expenses and cash management services. As a Financial Accountant in thisteam, youll develop a detailed understanding of financial objectives, transactions andbusiness areas, and youll bring structure to delivery. Youll also ensure operations canrespond to different needs while following standard guidelines and frameworks. Youllpromote a culture of excellent customer service, manage internal controls, monitorperformance against agreed targets and become a trusted expert in your area. Youlladvise business units on financial processes, support transaction-processing services,assess the impact of changes, maintain the integrity of data in the finance system andoversee audit requests, working closely with clients to spot opportunities forimprovement.There are many different areas in the finance function you could join or explore duringyour career with us. Find out more about these roles on our Finance careers page.About you Youll be part-qualified in ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, with demonstrable experience in asimilar role within the public sector. Organised, positive, and eager to learn, you valueteamwork, innovation and making an impact. Youll work professionally andcollaboratively, enjoy solving problems as part of a team, and youll be skilled at buildingstrong relationships and negotiating with key stakeholders. All your skills will beunderpinned by a passion for finance and aptitude for figures and spreadsheets.Youll be working towards a CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies) orCIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualification and have somesupervisory experience. To be considered part-qualified, youll have completed theApplied Knowledge and Applied Skills modules of ACCA and ideally be studying towardsnStrategic Professional, or youll have completed the Operational and Management levelsof CIMA and be working towards Strategic Level. Degree exemptions that cover theserequirements are also accepted, as long as you can provide evidence from the appropriategoverning body.

Created: 2026-02-07