Based in the Corporate Services & Infrastructure strand of Professional Services, I am directly responsible for providing exceptional management accounting support in the preparation of detailed annual budgets, monthly financial reports and quarterly forecasts to heads of departments and principal budget holders. I play a pivotal role across the University's budget setting group process and confidently present and disseminate financial data to a range of stakeholders. I report directly to the Head of Central Finance and oversee the day-to-day activities of two Accountancy Assistants.

Based in Newcastle University's SAgE Faculty, I undertook the financial management of research projects and provided comprehensive support to academic staff throughout a project's life-cycle. I worked closely with principal budget holders to execute project costings following recognised guidelines of research grant applications and provided advice on external funder regulations.

After gaining some experience working in Finance, I wanted to transfer my skills over to an employer I deeply respected: Newcastle University. Based in the University's Financial Analysis & Costing Team, I provided exceptional management accounting support throughout Central and Faculty Finance and learnt my trade as an accounting technician. A highlight of this role was that given my background and empirical research into Newcastle's student accommodation sector, I was drafted into the Castle Leazes Redevelopment Steering Group, by Finance Director Richard Dale, to assist with the accommodation project. During this time, I worked closely with a number of key stakeholders including Newcastle University's Finance Director, Head of Procurement and Director of Accommodation. Furthermore, I shadowed Graham Ward (GLJ Consulting) which proved invaluable.

After graduating, I decided to map out a career in Finance. As a result, I accepted a position within HMRC where I effectively undertook the 'high risk renewals' task which involved ensuring customers' Tax Credit awards were financially accurate. Exceptional analytical skills were required to cross reference governmental data to certify that fair monetary benefits were awarded and to ultimately, reduce unfair gains and possible fraudulent activity.

After spending several years in the retail sector, I wanted to gain some experience working in an office based environment and to ultimately, specialise in a particular business function. As a result, given my interest in organisational strategy, I undertook a marketing role at Liberty Living. Across my time here, I was tasked with formulating and implementing innovative marketing campaigns to boost student engagement and encourage year on year repeat business via the renewals of tenancy agreements. This position enabled me to explore Newcastle's saturated student accommodation marketplace by conducting empirical research focused around 'strategy'. Such work contributed to my University dissertation credited with 1st Class Hons.

After being inspired by my Brother's journey through Iceland, I aimed to follow in his footsteps. After a year of proving my worth as a competent shop floor assistant, I was offered the opportunity to undertake the Duty Management Training Programme. During this time, I was accountable for all the operational activity in store and provided clear leadership to the team in the absence of senior management.

During my A-Levels, my first taste of employment came in the form of a boutique coffee house in the centre of Newcastle. During this time, I perfected the art of texturing milk and gained a love for good coffee.