We have some great trainee and apprentice opportunities available throughout the year for motivated individuals who want to start a rewarding career in public finance and accountancy. You could be placed with a leading public sector employer on a three year fixed term contract with full sponsorship to complete the CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification (CIPFA PQ).
Get in touch to find out more about our trainee and apprenticeship programmes.
CIPFA trainee and apprenticeship vacancies
Trainee Accountant for Lancaster City Council
Location: Lancaster Town Hall/hybrid working
Start date: Autumn 2023
Application closing date: 11 September 2023
Salary: £21,189 - £36,298 (pay award pending)
Interview/Assessment dates: TBC
Number of vacancies: 1
Benefits
The Council currently operates an excellent Flexible Working Hours Scheme which applies to this post. Subject to the needs of the business, this may allow employees to work between the hours of 6:00am-10:30pm and take flexi days in addition to a generous annual leave allocation.
Excellent benefits include: A Local Government Pension Scheme (the Council makes a 16.3% contribution), discounted gym membership, discounted car parking permit, leave purchase scheme and discount on days out, activities and retail.
Details of organisation
Lancaster City Council is an award winning, ambitious and inclusive Council, serving a wide range of communities across city, coast and countryside, including the historic City of Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and the surrounding area.
The Finance team exists to ensure the Council is able to effectively secure, deploy and manage its resources in pursuit of its ambitious goals, such as its sector-leading Carbon Zero programme. We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and committed individual who would be trained to provide a wide range of financial and systems administration support. Upon completion of your training you will be able to demonstrate a high degree of financial technical accounting ability, whilst also possessing excellent communication and strong financial management skills.
Organisation culture/environment
Lancaster City Council has unanimously declared a climate emergency and will therefore work towards reducing carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030. As part of this role, you will be expected to participate and work towards reducing both carbon emissions and the impacts of climate change.
We are an Investor in People, Forces Friendly employer, and an Armed Forces Covenant committed organisation. We welcome applications from defence reserves and other members of our armed forces community. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all parts of our community.
At Lancaster City Council we aim to have a diverse workforce that is representative of the district that we serve and provide a working environment where each employee feels able to bring their whole self to work. We welcome applications from all sections of our community and provide several supportive and inclusive workplace networks and safe spaces for employees to feel connected. Our workplace wellbeing strategy drives our commitment to staff wellbeing initiatives and ensuring that our organisation is a great place to work for all.
We are a disability confident committed employer.
Key responsibilities
The core focus of this job is to assist in the preparation and monitoring of budgets plus the closure of accounts by liaising with budget holders in line with the framework for the finance function as a whole, as determined by the Section 151 Officer.
You will also work towards achievement of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) professional accounting qualification.
Minimum entry requirements
We offer several entry routes and your level of qualification does not change your progression through the programme. You may be:
- A graduate looking for a career-graded opportunity,
- Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) qualified already working within a finance environment and looking to further develop your career.
To be eligible to join the CIPFA professional accounting qualification programme, you must have three GCSEs grades A-C (or 4 and up) and two A-Levels, grades A-C, or accepted equivalent. To include Maths and English at either level.
How to apply
Further details and information on how to apply can be found via the Lancaster City Council website.
Finance Business Partner Trainee for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Location: Fire Service Headquarters Birkenshaw/Hybrid
Start date: September/October 2023
Application closing date: 20 August 2023
Salary: £30,151 - £37,261 (with pay progression dependent on performance and progress in the CIPFA examinations)
Interview/Assessment dates: TBC
Number of vacancies: 1
Benefits
We offer an excellent package including Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, 37-hour flexible working week, an employee assistance programme, sports and social clubs with free use of a gym.
All study and examination expenses will be met by the Authority.
Details of organisation
West Yorkshire is ranked as the top fire and rescue authority in the region - and one of the best in the country.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is responsible for the county’s fire and rescue service, which serves a population of more than two million people spread over almost 800 square miles.
The Authority is looking to strengthen its finance team and build future capacity. You will have the opportunity to support all areas of the finance function and wider business giving you a broad experience of the Authority and Local Authority Accounting whilst also having defined responsibilities and projects to complete. We will support you to study for the CIPFA professional qualification, with the payment of course fees, day release to attend college and leave to study for exams. More information on the qualification is available at the CIPFA web site. We plan to access the CIPFA Level 7 Professional Accountancy qualification through the Apprenticeship route.
Organisation culture/environment
We are a caring organisation and promote an environment of inclusivity and learning and welcome people from all walks of life.
Everyone is encouraged, trusted, and supported to play their part in promoting safety and wellbeing across all communities in West Yorkshire in support of our vision of Making West Yorkshire safer.
Key responsibilities
To provide financial business support in a developing trainee role, including assisting in the production of management accounts, budgets, final accounts, treasury management, revenue and capital costings as well as getting involved in projects across the organisation.
To train to achieve the CIPFA professional qualification, ideally accessed through the Level 7 Professional Accountant Apprenticeship Standard.
Minimum entry requirements
5 GCSE grades 4-9 or A-C and 2 A Level grades A-C (subjects must include Maths and English at either level)
And
Finance or Business Degree (min 2:1)
How to apply
Details about how to apply can be accessed via the West Yorkshire fire and rescue website.