Finance Development Programme – Financial Reporting

We are looking for individuals with strong numerical skills who enjoy working collaboratively within a team as well as independently, and thrive in a fast-paced work environment with a desire to make a meaningful impact.

The Finance function are offering the opportunity to join the Financial Reporting journey of our Finance Development Programme. Over the course of 3 years you’ll undertake three 12-month placements, progressively building your skills, knowledge, and experience to reach an Accountant level role. This includes support to study for and obtain the ACA Chartered Accountant qualification – helping you learn and embed key accounting practices that you can apply in your role.

We recognise the importance of learning in an office environment; these roles therefore offer a hybrid working arrangement, requiring a presence in our Swindon Head Office at least twice a week.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

What you’ll be doing

If you’re ambitious and driven to succeed, you’ve come to the right place - you’ll have opportunity to contribute from Day 1 and be encouraged to get involved. Attention to detail,  being well organised and open to feedback with  an eagerness to deliver insights through accurate and timely reporting are key to succeeding as you’ll be working on important deliverables for the Society, whilst pushing for better by improving efficiency and productivity in everything we do.

Building and maintaining strong working relationships will give you a firm foundation to tackle complex and sometimes ambiguous challenges.

Overview of your journey 

Financial Reporting comprises several teams responsible for different aspects of financial accounting and reporting. This includes Nationwide’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), as well as a range of regulatory financial reporting for the Bank of England, PRA & FCA. There are separate teams responsible for more complex areas, such as taxation, treasury reporting, and loan loss provisions. Financial Reporting also includes a reconciliation function, plus a team who oversee Nationwide’s technical accounting approach, ensuring it’s in line with accounting standards and based on appropriate judgements.

1st year

During your first year you’ll develop a foundational understanding and application of accounting fundamentals, setting you up for success in your following years and supporting your first year of exams. You will be in the equivalent of an assistant accountant role where you will support an accountant in a combination of producing, reconciling, analysing, and reporting month end numbers. We would also be looking at you to identify areas where processes could be improved and to work collaboratively across the teams to improve efficiency.

2nd year

In this pivotal year of your journey, you're positioned at the intermediate level, ready to enhance the skills you've already begun cultivating. You’ll move to a new team to build on your knowledge from year 1 as you’ll take on responsibility for a greater share of the analysis and commentary to support some of our reporting deliverables. Expect to amplify your impact as you actively contribute more substantially to supporting accounting processes and reporting. It's not just about skill enhancement, it's about taking ownership and playing a more influential role in the production of the financial reports.

3rd year

In the final year of your journey, you can expect to be in a role that is the equivalent of a senior assistant accountant, as you’ll move teams again to take on responsibilities in a more complex area such as treasury reporting or disclosures within our ARA. You’ll broaden your experience and knowledge with opportunities to showcase the skills you’ve learnt across your journey in readiness to propel you into your future Nationwide career beyond the programme. Your scope of responsibility will extend to more intricate business areas, where you’ll be at the forefront of providing invaluable insights and delivering reporting for publication or submission to external stakeholders.

Having contributed to key deliveries across your programme, developed skills that display your competency within Financial Reporting, and successfully passed your ACA qualification, we would expect you to be well-positioned to move into an Accountant role equivalent role.

About you

Whether you’re a recent graduate, contemplating a career change, or are already working in in finance but seeking your next challenge, our finance development programme paves the way for a fast paced career in finance. This role is all about providing insight and support to deliver the financial outcomes of the Society, this will include month end reporting, production of financial report, interpreting data, problem solving and working in a team, so you’ll need to have:

• Two A Level qualifications (A*-E) and three GCSE’s at grades A-C/grade 9-4 (or equivalent) including Maths and English Language.
• A high level of numeracy and IT literacy.
• The ability to plan and deliver work with attention to detail.
• An inquisitive mind and an aptitude for problem solving.

We will also be looking for

• Great communication skills.
• The ability to use your analytical skills to come up with solutions and ideas.
• Determination and drive to make a difference.

Nationwide will support your studies with time off work for your accountancy exams and for study and revision courses run by an external study provider. To be successful you will also need to dedicate a significant amount of your own time for self-study, revision and exam practice.

The extras you’ll get

As well as a permanent contract and a competitive starting salary (£32,500pa), as a valued member of the team we offer you:   

• A personal pension – if you put in 7% of your salary, we’ll top up by a further 16%
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year
• Life assurance worth 8x your salary
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Access to an annual performance related bonus
• Access to training to help you develop and progress your career
• 25 days holiday

Why work at Nationwide?

We’re different from other financial service providers. We’re a building society, owned by our members. And for over 130 years, we’ve supported those members to make the most of their money and achieve what they want from life.   

That’s reflected in the way we work here at Nationwide. We come together to make sure we’re doing things in the best way possible, both for each other and for our members. If you join us, you’ll be part of that. You’ll be able to help us build something really quite special. And you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference.   

On top of that, we always want you to be yourself. To use your skills and experience to make our Society stronger. To feel valued for who you are, not just what you do. Because here at Nationwide, we understand that we can do more together than we ever could alone.