Provided expert Public Accounting and financial knowledge to aid the execution of RAF exercises overseas. This included the setting up of a Microsoft Access based accounting package for use in the overseas location and the training of staff nominated to act as Exercise Accountants in accounting procedures.

At the end of an exercise all accounting transactions were audited, reconciled against overseas bank statements, ledgers brought to trial balance and budget expenditure broken down. The job drew on the vast amount of accounting experience gained over 10 years and called for a high level of resourcefulness and use of initiative

Management and running of the Defence Section, its accounts and budget and the provision of expert advice and administrative knowledge to the Defence Attaché. Responsible for all accounting matters including control of the nominal and purchase ledgers, payroll, budget management and calculation of expenses and allowances.

Managed 2 staff to administer the wealth of queries and diplomatic clearances requested of the Embassy and met with Norwegian MOD officers on a regular basis to discuss and implement training programmes and procedures in Norway. The job called for an extremely high level of tact and diplomacy and more than anything, attention to detail.

Also acted as the Embassy Club accounts auditor, and in the final year chairman of the committee.

Special achievements included the organisation and annual running of the Remembrance Sunday commemoration, which included the involvement of Norwegian Government Ministers, British and Commonwealth Ambassadors and a number of Norwegian Veteran Organisations.

This involved the auditing of all RAF Accounting sections at RAF Stations worldwide and drew upon the expert knowledge that had been accrued during time employed in various Service accounting departments. The audit was to check that all accounting staff were adhering to procedures and that the management function was in place. A financial audit of payroll and allowances was also undertaken.

Achievements included the successful employment as the first Sergeant auditor on the team, and called for the highest levels of confidence, oral communication skills and tact in dealing with unit executive officers.

During this period an operational tour to Kosovo was undertaken where, as Chief Clerk of the detachment, the care and welfare of 150 Tri-Service personnel meant that the management and leadership skills that had been accumulated over years of Service were put to great effect. Additionally, acted as the detachment cashier where the payments of all bills and payroll were completed, currency exchange undertaken, and ledgers reconciled on a daily basis. End of month procedures were also undertaken.

Employed within the UK Support Unit at Ramstein in Germany as the Unit Cashier. Duties here included control of over 100K cash in various currencies, which was used for payment/receipt of individual bills and claims. With responsibility for the management of 3 civilian and 3 Service staff in the Support Unit, the Cashier function included the management of all payments and recoveries, the reconciliation of the German/US and Sterling bank accounts and the production of end of month accounts in all 3 currencies. Further duties included the administration of the system IT network including the Oracle based Service Accounts package.

Special achievements included the successful migration to, and administration of an NT4 network and the provision of training to admin staffs in Windows NT and Microsoft Exchange, before any formal training had been given

Enjoyed a progressive start to a career in the RAF, which included tours in Germany and the UK and operational tours to the Falkland Islands and Saudi Arabia.