Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

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Name: Natalie Gilmore
Job Title: Costing & Income accountant
Employer: 5 Boroughs partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Natalie Gilmore

  1. Why did you choose finance/accounting/auditing?

    I really can’t remember why I chose a career in finance given I was a fine art graduate. After university I remember reading through a mountain of postgrad prospectuses and being drawn to the finance ones. I enrolled on a modern apprenticeship initially as an Internal Audit Trainee and started studying with AAT.

  2. Why did you choose to study CIPFA? What was the most important factor for you?

    I'm fully committed to a career within the NHS. CIPFA is the qualification of choice for a successful career in public finance.

  3. What was most important to you when you chose the job you are in now?

    I was previously at a Strategic Health Authority and really wanted a role that was out in service. The Trust had an excellent reputation, was performing well and was just about to go through the Foundation Trust process. I thought that was a really great time to join.

  4. What does your job involve? How do you describe it to friends?

    I’m the costing accountant for the Trust, and prepare the national costing returns such as Reference Costs and Programme Budgeting. I’m also responsible for implementing Service Line Reporting at the Trust.

    My friends would switch off immediately if I even tried to explain what I did…

  5. How has the qualification helped you in your day-to-day duties?

    Gaining a professional qualification gives you a massive confidence boost when you’re performing your duties. For example I never thought techniques such as Activity Based Costing would be relevant to me when I worked as a Management Accountant – until I started working as a costing accountant.

  6. How does your employer support you?

    The 5 Boroughs Partnership has been accredited by CIPFA as a Best Practice Employer. I got support throughout my studies in terms of access to training, financial support and time.

  7. How will becoming a CPFA help you in your career aspirations? 

    It will really help me make that next level within the organisation.

  8. How did you feel when you won the PQ Distance Learning Student of the Year award?

    I was really excited and sent text messages to everyone I know!!