Team: Financial Support Job Family: Advising – CBG5-CBG8 Salary: £25,989 - £33,851 per annum pro rata Hours: 37 hours per week – 3 positions available Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month. Contract Type: Hybrid – Permanent – Career Progression Role Closing Date: 19th July 2026 Interview Date: w/c 3rd August 2026 About the role Earn while you learn. Become a qualified accountant. Build a career. Looking to kickstart a professional career straight after school or college? Join our School Leaver Programme and you’ll gain hands on experience, earn a competitive salary from day one, and work towards becoming a fully qualified accountant (CIPFA). This is more than just a job – it’s a clear pathway into a respected, well-paid profession with real responsibility from the start. We are committed to creating opportunities for career pathways for young people entering local government, this apprenticeship opportunity is open to applicants aged 21 or under at the point of enrolment. This requirement aligns with the national eligibility criteria for Level 7 apprenticeships. What you’ll be doing You’ll work as part of our Financial Support team, contributing to how the Council plans, manages, and spends millions of pounds to deliver essential public services. From day one, you will: <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Support budget monitoring and financial reporting.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Work with managers to help them understand and manage their budgets.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Analyse the financial data and help produce forecasts.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Get involved in major projects and long-term financial planning.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Contribute to the Council’s annual statement of accounts.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Learn how finance impacts real world decisions in areas like schools, social care and infrastructure.</li> </ul> You won’t just be observing, you’ll be actively contributing and building real skills. Professional qualification (Fully funded) We will support you to become a qualified CIPFA accountant through a level 7 apprenticeship. That means: <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Your qualification is fully funded.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">You gain real work experience while studying.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">You earn a salary throughout.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">You receive structured support and mentoring.</li> </ul> This is the same level qualification as a master’s degree. Who we’re looking for We’re looking for motivated, curious individuals who want to build a long-term career in finance. You should have: <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Predicted or achieved A Levels (BBB or above) – ideally including Maths.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Be aged 21 or under at the point of enrolment. This requirement aligns with the national eligibility criteria for Level 7 apprenticeships.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">An interest in working with numbers and data.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Good communication skills (you’ll be working with people across the organisation).</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">The motivation to study towards a professional qualification.</li> </ul> Most importantly, you’ll have a positive attitude and willingness to learn. What we offer We don’t just offer a salary - we offer a career with real benefits: <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Competitive starting salary – with clear progression as you develop.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Fully funded professional qualification (CIPFA) – including study leave, training support and mentoring.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Flexible and hybrid working – work life balance that fits around you.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a valuable, secure pension scheme.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Clear career progression – this is a structured programme designed to take you from trainee to qualified accountant.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Supportive environment – you’ll be part of a team that invests in your development from day one.</li> </ul> This is not an exhaustive list, to see other rewards and benefits available to our staff, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page linked further down this advert. Why choose this pathway? <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Start earning immediately.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Gain a recognised professional qualification.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Build a real-world experience.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 8.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Fast track your career in finance.</li> </ul> <div> Our Offer </div> <div> We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our <a href="https://jobs.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/content/Our-rewards-and-benefits/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rewards and Benefits page</a> </div> <div> </div> <div> Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process. </div> <div> </div> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </div> <div> </div> <div> You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this <a title="" href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/IgD82olf2Yh0SaiyHN-LHHtDAZyqfg7v9C0o1-XKeNUK1sI?e=PoIKUV" target="_self">Recruitment Pack</a>. </div> <div> </div> <div> Our <a href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/EuejD31meJ9GiiHyMPHL6V4BUJcaSc16Y3dGD4m8GxPfYA?e=Dg6Cg2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance</a> are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack. </div> For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Rhys Hickinbottom at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or Chris Paterson at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline. </div> <div> </div> <div> Our National Careers Service team offer a free monthly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours. <a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Please book your place here.</a> </div> <div> </div> <div> More information about this service can be found here: <a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/207/support_getting_into_work_or_learning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council</a> </div> <div> </div> <div> Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. </div>

Trainee Finance Officer (School Leaver Programme) (Shefford, GB) @ centralbed

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