Case studies: Governance and financial accountant trainee: Douglas McCormick

After graduating with a Masters in pharmacy from Robert Gordon University, Douglas trained and worked in both retail and hospital pharmacy. Seeking a new challenge, Douglas applied for the NHS Scotland finance management scheme

The finance management scheme lasts three years, while trainees work towards their Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) qualification. You're attached to a host board within NHS Scotland, in my case NHS National Services Scotland which provides clinical and corporate support to NHS Scotland .

Trainees work in different placements, so I'll experience several roles within the NHS finance environment. I started working with the various financial transaction processing areas, before moving into management accounting roles.

I'm currently on secondment to the Scottish government. It's a fantastic career opportunity as it raises my profile across the 23 NHS organisations and I have responsibilities for ensuring that money spent on health care is as efficient and well-utilised as possible.

Tasks range from producing guidance on new financial standards for health boards to reviewing their budgets. I'm also involved with assisting health boards implement health policy and I occasionally provide information to answer questions from government ministers. As you can see, the cliché that no two days are the same really is true!

The most interesting part of my job is the variety. Finance gets everywhere! Some days I am sitting in meetings with directors of finance discussing efficiency savings and future capital plans. Others, I am reviewing budgets and spend in single areas. From a purely geeky perspective working with budgets and figures can be immensely satisfying. You take theoretical concepts and apply them to the real world. The health sector is constantly evolving so there are always new challenges.

As with any training post, balancing study, a full-time job and a social life is hard work. As you're exposed to so much you often have conflicting deadlines, so you need to juggle your responsibilities.

I plan to finish my professional accountancy qualification before looking for a new challenge. In the future I hope I can help new trainees in the same way so many people within the NHS have aided me and my development.

My success in securing a place on the training scheme wasn't dependent on my degree subject. So don't be put off applying if you're not from a financial background. I'm studying for my professional accountancy qualification alongside history of art and physics graduates. My experience of working as a part-time manager in a high street store while studying at university also helped. As did being treasurer of the uni's kayak club!

NHS Scotland look for applicants with a public sector ethos, an awareness of the health service, and who can bring a variety of transferrable skills to the role. These would include analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work as part of a team and leadership qualities. You are taught all the financial knowledge and soft skills during the scheme, so they're initially looking for people with good moral and personal qualities.

I would stress that many of the best accountants did not start of on that path from university. An ability to look at things critically and work well with others is far more essential.