Finance and Accounting Graduate Scheme
If you’re considering a career in Finance and Accounting, DE&S offers you an opportunity like no other. The Finance and Accounting Graduate Scheme offers the chance to develop your skills through hands-on learning and training, including working towards your professional qualification.
Finance and accounting
DE&S Finance and Accounting Graduates work within teams that procure and support the equipment that our armed forces require. They work alongside Project Managers, Commercial Officers, Inventory Managers, Technical experts, Risk Managers and Military colleagues to ensure that the equipment purchased, and the support provided is fit for purpose and achieves the best possible value for money.
Read more about the Finance and Accounting function.
About the job
When you join DE&S, you’re joining a team that helps protect people all over the UK – and overseas too. We do that by providing cutting-edge tech, vehicles and equipment to the Armed Forces. Whether it’s the latest protective clothing for soldiers, or the smartest radar for new RAF jets, our projects keep UK military colleagues safe, so that they can protect life at home.
To do that, we need a real wealth of people from every background and skillset – all working together every day to do our best work. It takes accountants and engineers; HR specialists and IT experts. And we all have to keep learning, keep striving, to help the UK’s defences to stay ahead.
The scheme
The DE&S Finance and Accounting Graduate Scheme is a two-year development programme focused on finance and accountancy roles across different business areas within DE&S.
You’ll rotate between placements that give you with the opportunity to learn about variety of aspects of finance and accounting including:
- forecasting the future budget
- reviewing and creating accruals
- providing financial analysis to support decision making
- developing costing for business cases
- tracking costs to contracts and
- using Financial Systems
Your responsibilities will vary depending on the placement you’re in, but broadly speaking, you’ll:
- provide support to Finance and Accounting staff across the business, including assisting with financial reporting and administrative activities;
- build and maintain a network of internal contacts and peers to share and gain knowledge and identify opportunities to learn and develop;
- own and drive your personal and professional development;
- build awareness and understanding of how both the Finance and Accounting function and the wider organisation operate;
- take on foundational and professional training, working towards the achievement of an industry-recognised CIMA qualification; and
- throw yourself into activities that are needed in your placement (with the support of your team). This might include budgeting, forecasting, inventory accounting, or systems management.
Professional qualification
You’ll study towards achieving the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.
End of scheme
On successful completion of the scheme and training you’ll be offered a permanent role as a Finance & Accounting professional. You’ll also have the opportunity to continue your studies to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Entry requirements
To apply you’ll need:
- Five full GCSEs at A*-C or grades 4-9 (or recognised equivalent) including English Language and Maths.
- An honours degree in any recognised subject (minimum 2:2)
- A degree at a grade of 2:1 or higher and experience relevant to your chosen scheme would be desirable.
We’ll offer you challenging opportunities that’ll help you to develop your career and offer you great rewards in an environment where results are recognised. In return, you’ll own your career and drive your own development.
Help and support
There’s plenty of support available on this apprenticeship. You’ll have:
- A dedicated scheme manager who’ll be responsible for co-ordinating your professional training and development throughout the scheme.
- A placement supervisor who’ll oversee your day-to-day management and provide on the job development opportunities.
- An excellent professional CIMA training package.
Selection process
When applying, you’ll complete an initial online application and be required to undertake an online numerical, verbal and Civil Service judgement test.
If you pass all tests, you’ll then complete a full application and upload your CV (please note the specific CV requirements on the job advert).
Finally, the top scoring candidates will be invited to an assessment centre in Bristol.
This scheme is due to open in late 2023.
Benefits and discounts
We truly believe that DE&S is a great place to work, and we offer a unique experience for our graduates and apprentices.
We want to ensure that every single employee feels appreciated and fairly rewarded and being part of the Civil Service allows to offer a very unique and attractive benefits package including discounts on cinema tickets, sport and leisure and your weekly shop.
Discover all the ways we can help you make life easier.
“You get the chance to work, gain qualifications and progress all at the same time. DE&S is very supportive, as there are lots of people with vast amounts of experience to learn from who are always happy to help.”
– Rachel, Project Professional Scheme
Turn your job into a career with DE&S. Find your place in our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Should you require support with the application process or require any technical assistance please contact the DBS team on 0800 345 7772.
A provisional offer informs you that you have been successful at interview subject to pre-employment checks. At this stage we will initiate the necessary pre-employment checks, such as security clearance and medical questionnaires. If you are an external candidate, you are strongly advised not to give notice to your current employer until pre-employment checks have successfully been concluded.
Your provisional offer will inform you of the pre-employment checks. The security checks, which are undertaken by National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency, usually take the longest to complete so you will be invited to commence this aspect once you have been informed that you have completed your interview, as this reduces delays. An invitation to begin the security clearance process is not a guarantee that you will be given an offer.
All candidates will be required to undertake security clearances to the level the role requires prior to commencing employment. Assuming the candidate completes their security forms and references are returned in a timely fashion, and that no further checks or documents are required, we would expect the individual to be advised that we are in the position to make a formal offer of employment and start discussions to agree an appropriate starting date.
The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.
DE&S is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.
