Trainee Finance Officer

  • MI5
  • Hayden, Gloucestershire
  • Apr 27, 2026
Full time Accounting

Job Description

Trainee Finance Officer

Cheltenham

£28,685

Earn a salary or study for a qualification? Choose both.

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 MI5 means you ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real different to UK national security.

On this structured development pathway, with a blend of classroom-based study and on-the-job learning, you ll have everything you need to build a successful career in finance. And you ll do it all while getting unique exposure to the financial functions at the UK s Intelligence Services. It s a unique job that s full and varied, doing work that you simply can t do anywhere else.

Over three years, you'll be supported as you work towards and achieve an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, all while contributing to the finance function across our finance teams. But you won t do it alone. With a team of other trainees, a dedicated mentor and a buddy with experience of studying the AAT, you ll have great support from day one. And when you finish the scheme, we ll help you decide your next step. There ll be opportunities for promotions, or you can go on to become a Certified Chartered Accountant. With plenty of training and further development opportunities available, you ll have plenty of choice to create your ideal career in finance.

So what about you? You ll already have GCSEs in English and Maths at A-C/9-4 (or equivalent), and experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Whatever your background, you ll be adaptable, motivated and collaborative, a naturally inquisitive problem solver with numerical skills, a passion for developing a career in finance and an enthusiasm for working with, and learning from, others.

You ll bring integrity, respect and creativity to your work, helping us deliver a positive impact across the UK. You don t need to be a certain type of person to work here: we need all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds to protect the UK. That means we value your individuality and what makes you, you.

Please note that if you have already started or completed the AAT qualification, we think you'll be better suited to other roles within our Finance team. To be notified of any upcoming opportunities, we recommend you sign up to job alerts on our website.

To apply, please visit our website.

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. 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 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.