The Role CIPFA Trainee Accountant (Apprenticeship) Wyre Forest District Council Finance Service has a strong track record of providing excellent strategic financial support to the Council to help meet its strategic corporate plan objectives. The Council has a net budget of around £14m and delivers valuable services to the public and like all public sector organisations is embracing the challenge of achieving the best outcomes for service delivery at reduced cost. But it's not just about the numbers. As a Trainee accountant, now is an excellent time to be part of a team making a real difference to service users and customers in the Wyre Forest. There are exciting opportunities to work alongside other professional staff and get deeply involved in the financial business of the Council to understand the contribution we can make to people's lives and the services they depend on. This exciting and rewarding work will enable you to train for a professional qualification and apply your technical skills and add real value to key projects, whilst gaining experience working with diverse services and with other partner organisations. • Provide financial support, professional advice and innovative approaches to all aspects of financial management and financial planning in line with your level of knowledge and experience • Ensure that significant financial variations are identified and challenged with Service Managers, identifying potential solutions, assessing their impact on budget forecasts and supporting their implementation • Complete detailed financial analysis, investigations and appraisals on proposals such as changes to service delivery, new developments or government policy changes in order to advise Service Managers accordingly on the financial aspects of the proposed changes • Assist with and prepare reports, business cases, financial challenge documents and project documentation for multi-disciplinary teams • Develop innovative approaches to financial management and encourage Service Managers to consider different ways of delivering services; to initiate research and bring forward proposals What we will do for you • Provide a comprehensive 3 year training programme to cover a range of financial and accountancy services within Wyre Forest District Council • Support to pursue the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Qualification (for further details please visit CIPFA website – www.cipfa.org ) • Mentor support to create your own personal development plan • Career graded post to offer financial incentive to support your development What we expect from you (achieved through study and / or work experience) It is essential that the post holder has: • Minimum of 5 GCSEs (including English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 or above) • You would also benefit from having an Honours degree, preferably a 2:1 in a financial or accountancy related subject. If you have not yet graduated, please tell us your predicted grade and the date you expect this to be confirmed • Basic understanding of the Council’s structure and services. • Computer literate with proven experience of using Microsoft Office Word and Excel. • Knowledge & understanding of financial management issues within a public sector organisation. • The skill to engage and work with service managers and Members • Ability to work proactively with colleagues across the finance function, including in a supervisory capacity. • Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve service outcome. • Ability to use initiative, discretion and respect confidentiality. • Willingness to study for CIPFA membership. Additional Information The salary for this position is dependent on qualifications and experience with the salary starting from Band 1 (£24,648 - £26,180) Per Annum to Band 5 (£37,181 - £38,770) Per Annum (pay award pending). As a career graded post progression through the bands will be dependent on previous qualifications and experience and the successful completion of the relevant qualifications, shown competencies and organisational requirements. This position will have a an element of hybrid working and will combine working from home and working in the office. Flexible approach to working hours, able to work outside normal office hours if necessary, including a requirement to be available for occasional evening meetings. Appointment to this post is subject to satisfactory clearance of a Disclosure and Barring Service Check. You may be required to provide a suitable vehicle in connection with the duties of this post. Wyre Forest District Council is an equal opportunities employer. Attached documents cipfa_trainee_-_role_profile_template-finalupdated.pdf