Case studies
Read about our staff's experience
Gemma
Senior Finance Officer - Business Partner
I started off in an Apprentice role in Finance 9 and a half years ago at The Royal Borough of Kingston. Since then, I have progressed in a few different roles within Finance and built upon my skills and knowledge, working alongside the friendliest and most helpful colleagues. Flexible and hybrid working are just some of the great things about working for the Local Authority. There are numerous opportunities for learning and development, qualifications and secondments within the council.
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Wayne
Strategic Finance Business Partner
I returned to Kingston 15 months ago as a Finance Business Partner and can honestly say that the level of support I have received in my role has been greater than in any of the other public sector roles I have undertaken in a career of 20 years. Flexible working has been a great asset in my role and has been pivotal in enabling me to continue my role as a Governor for a local primary school. I have started a CIPFA course (Diploma in Finance Business partnering) which Kingston agreed to support me through their training and development programme. I was also able to progress my role with a successful application to become a Strategic Finance Business Partner, a role that I have recently undertaken. I am incredibly grateful to Kingston for giving me these opportunities, the finance team I work with are honest, committed, friendly and most of all supportive which is a bit of a theme in general and is the reason I know it was the right decision to return.
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Adam
Graduate Finance Trainee
Working in the Kingston and Sutton shared finance service has been a rewarding experience for a trainee and I have really enjoyed my time here. The graduate programme has enabled me to study for the CIPFA professional qualification, while solidifying my development through a wide range of opportunities to gain experience: two Councils has meant even more chances to be part of interesting and meaningful work. The service has supported me with a mentor and study leave as well as offering a clear path for progression with them after I qualify.
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Al
Strategic Finance Business Partner
I joined the Royal Borough of Kingston over 30 years ago. Initially, I worked in Central Finance, before moving over to a Service department as a finance officer, and then back into Central Finance. I’ve been involved in a number of varied and interesting projects, both service and finance related. Over this time, I have seen many changes, including the move to a shared service with the London Borough of Sutton. I’m currently a Strategic Finance Business Partner, based in Kingston, supporting Children’s Services and Corporate & Communities. My role involves not only working across both Kingston and Sutton, but also other London Boroughs with whom we share front line services with. Supporting two large directorates, means having competing demands and quite often working within tight timescales. Every day brings new challenges and interesting issues to deal with. Which is one of the main reasons for staying for so long. Working in Kingston Town Centre is a real pleasure. It’s a small market town along the river with plenty of shops and a thriving evening economy.
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