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    4. Graduate Trainee Accountant 2025
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    As part of the Council’s commitment to developing talent, we are offering a fixed term contract opportunity to develop successful candidates towards becoming a professional accountant in the Strategic Finance service.

    The role

    This is an exciting opportunity to gain professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). This involves completion of studies (funded through the Apprenticeship Levy) and working in the Strategic Finance service of the Council.

    There are several fixed term contract opportunities across the service business partnering teams and corporate & chief accountant areas.

    The Council wants candidates to apply who are keen to develop themselves professionally as well as having a strong desire to contribute to improving the finance service and the support we provide to services across the Council.

    What you'll do

    Undertake studies to qualify as an Accountant with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA); and undertake suitable finance related work
    placements across the Council to develop skills and competencies to complement and support the technical training of the professional qualification.

    The Graduate Trainee Accountant will develop towards the following skills of an Accountant

    • An effective accountant providing valued financial support, administration and advice to all officers and partner organisations, as part of a highly professional finance team which gives a robust financial management and accountancy service, driving the principles of Value for Money (VFM).
    • Develop a good working relationship with budget holders to help them manage their budgets effectively.
    • To contribute to the delivery of key financial processes on time, to a high standard and as efficiently as possible to enable the council to manage its limited resources well.
    • Support the Principal Accountant and Senior Accountant and other senior colleagues in the Finance Team, where necessary and when appropriate.
    • Develop and produce appropriate management information for services through the use of the Oracle system and other financial tools.

    Details

    This is offered as a 3.5 years’ fixed term contract in Strategic Finance. This length of time enables the completion of the full CIPFA course.

    There is no promise of a future job in Strategic Finance on completion of the fixed term contract, however, the opportunity would support the ability to apply for vacant accountant posts in the future.

    Successful candidates would need to fulfil the work duties and successful study progression or the fixed term contract would be ended. Also candidates would, therefore, need to be prepared to work full-time to allow the necessary time for studies as well as work duties.

    The fixed term contract would begin in September 2025 to be timed with the next cohort of CIPFA studies