Edward Dean was one of the first intake of accountants on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Accountancy Training Scheme in 2008. He's already been on quite a journey. By Tim Cooper, editor, e-magazines, CIMA.
For Edward Dean, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office was a dream employer as it combined his goal of working in public sector finance with the chance to travel. 'I applied straightaway!' he says. After a successful application, Edward was invited to join the FCO's new Accountancy Training Scheme.
The impetus for setting up the ATS was provided by the FCO's Five Star Finance Programme, launched in September 2007 by its director general for finance, Keith Luck FCMA.
The programme aims to improve financial skills in the FCO, and ensure that qualified staff are available to fill specialist roles. CIMA was chosen as one of two qualifications supported by the ATS. Keith says this is 'because of its global coverage and because the FCO wants to produce well rounded, financially qualified managers capable of taking high level decisions as they move up the career ladder.’
Edward says CIMA was a natural choice for him. 'I thought it gave a broader range of skills,' he says. 'You have the accountancy and the business sides. If I don’t stay in finance, I can use many of the skills in other areas. Also if you want to study overseas, there are tuition providers, or you can study online. So if we do go overseas for a long period, we can continue studying.'
Taste for the public sector
ATS scheme participants do two six month placements followed by two one-year placements. Edward is on his second secondment, in the general ledger department in Milton Keynes. He travelled to Brussels and Bucharest on his first secondment which was for UK Trade and Investment - part of the FCO.
'In Brussels, part of my job was to monitor resources at the post, so I asked them how they budgeted and forecasted with an aim to making improvements. In Bucharest, it was a similar thing. When I came back I developed guidance which went out to posts. It was very interesting to have the opportunity to work freely and make a difference early on.'
The responsibility appeared not to faze him. 'From my previous travels, I knew that I could go overseas, survive by myself and meet new people,' he says. 'You have to look confident even if you don’t feel it!'
Altruistic feeling
Edward didn’t apply for any accountancy jobs in the private sector. 'I felt the public sector would be a lot more interesting,' he says. 'If I'm doing some work for a post in Africa I know that, in however small a way, it's having a benefit. I have that altruistic feeling that whatever I do, I would like to help. Also I studied politics at A level and have that underlying interest in government.'
He concedes that some people have misconceptions about working in the public sector. But attitudes are changing, especially with the implementation of the UK Government Finance Profession scheme which aims to boost financial awareness and the number of qualified finance staff across departments.
'I think there is just as much pressure here as there is in the private sector,' says Edward. 'Some people do think that we go overseas and it is just a holiday. But when I was overseas, I was working long hours with no chance of sightseeing unless it was late at night.'
Does he manage to achieve a good work/life balance despite all the work, travel and study? 'In Milton Keynes it is not too bad. The group I came in with is quite sociable. I am living with two other ATS participants. Being together helps morale.'
Being on the ATS means that Edward’s future is mapped out in detail. His mentor has asked him for a five year career plan.
'I will stay here until I qualify, then spend a couple of years in finance,' he says. 'Then perhaps get a secondment to work in the private sector just to get the experience, before moving back into the public sector, whether at the FCO or another government department.
'They say that they are grooming us to be future finance directors,' he adds with a confident grin. 'Saying it now sounds very far off. But the thought is encouraging. I would definitely like to be head of a section or running a team.'
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October 2009