CIPFA Trainee Accountant L7 Apprentice Oxford 2024

Are you a graduate, will you be graduating this year, or have you completed your AAT Level 4? If you have an interest in becoming an accountant and a passion for public services, we would like to hear from you.

About us

We offer a competitive salary, with increments as you become more experienced and pass exams, as well as funding the cost of the apprenticeship.

This is a permanent role, with the training expected to last around three years. At the completion of your qualification, you will be encouraged to apply for any vacancies which reflect the experience you will have gained. Should none be available you would continue a rotation to different teams to build your experience.

The council has a turnover of more than £1 billion and provide vital services across the county, including social care, education, waste, highways, cultural services, and fire services.

About the role

Oxfordshire County Council are looking to recruit a bright and passionate person who wants to pursue a career in public finance. We offer an exciting pathway into Local Government for aspiring finance professionals.

Our trainee program is geared towards developing individuals with a passion for finance and communities into future local government and public sector finance professionals. The role supports individuals to gain practical work experience while studying for the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship, which includes The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy’s Professional Accountancy Qualification (CIPFA PAQ) the key qualification for anyone pursuing a career in public finance management.

Working across the council services, you’ll build up experience in many areas of finance, including financial systems, budget preparation and monitoring, treasury, internal audit and accounting.

Councils across the country are looking for the next generation of leaders who have the passion and skill to navigate the biggest challenges facing communities, improving everyday life for people in their communities. If you want to make a tangible difference while gaining a qualification, you couldn’t ask for a better place to start.

As a CIPFA trainee accountant you will study for the CIPFA Professional Qualification following the L7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship. Over the training period (usually approx. three years), you will undertake placements across the council’s finance departments. Each placement will provide you with a varied mix of day-to-day work and key projects, supporting the needs of your CIPFA studies and your development as a public sector accountant.

Opportunities include

• supporting a selection of budget managers, providing professional financial advice to maximise their service delivery.
• supporting services through budget setting and monitoring, and advising on resource allocation and savings proposals.
• gaining a knowledge of technical accounting and working across Public Sector organisations.
• assisting in the development, implementation and delivery of the Audit Plan.

About you

Successful applicants will have strong communication and analytical skills and be able to think creatively. You are not required to have any previous finance or accountancy experience. Successful applicants will have minimum of the below.

Either

• Have achieved or expecting to achieve an undergraduate degree in any subject (2:2 or higher), Or
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting qualification

Plus

• 3 A’ Levels at grades A* - C
• 5 x GCSE’s grade C or grade 4 and above or equivalent
• Mathematics and English Language should be one of the GCSE or A level qualifications to the above standards.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• 25 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Application procedure

To apply, please complete an online application form by clicking either of the Apply Now buttons at the top and bottom of this advert. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory.

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If you experience any technical difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using Recruitment Application Enquiry Form. If you require the application form in an alternative format as part of a reasonable adjustment at this stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment Team using Recruitment Application Enquiry Form.

Our commitment to

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job.

For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.