Graduate Finance Trainee
Permanent, Full Time
£28,090 to £33,047 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style:
About Us:
Are you a Graduate, or will be graduating in 2026? Do you have an interest in Finance and looking to start a career in this sector? Would you like to become a crucial part of a friendly and high achieving team? This could be the opportunity you are looking for!
This is a permanent role. If a suitable opportunity is not available upon qualification you will continue to rotate to different Finance teams to build on your experience.
Owing to recent changes to the way apprenticeships are funded by central government, this apprenticeship opportunity has one role that is only open to those who will be aged twenty-one or under at the start of the apprenticeship or aged twenty-four or under if you are a care leaver or have an EHCP, alongside an additional opportunity open to all candidates including those who do not qualify under central government funding requirements. The apprenticeship is expected to start by September 2026.
The scheme involves targeted placements across different Finance Teams, gaining a broad base of financial experience, whilst studying for the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship, which leads to the CIPFA professional qualification and CPFA designation. This is the key qualification for anyone pursuing a career in public finance. Further information can be found in our Graduate brochure -
– our plan for levelling up the county, which focuses on outcomes that really matter for our residents:
1. The economy
2. The environment
3. Children and families
4. Promoting health, care, and wellbeing for all the parts of the population who need our support.
What will you be doing?
5. Building a strong understanding of all financial management and reporting systems and processes, ensuring clarity on financial systems and processes to maximise efficiency ensuring proper reconciliation and control procedures are in place.
6. Developing a detailed knowledge of the Council’s accounting policies, financial procedure rules, performance standards and working practices and propose changes as required.
7. Contributing to the coordination of the delivery of information to support the annual accounts closure programme (including the external audit of the accounts), or other statutory reporting requirements, in accordance with the agreed timetable.
8. Ensuring that the integrity of financial systems and accounting processes are maintained, including the General Ledger 'chart of account’ and accounting and reporting structures and reconciliation and other control procedures, assisting on the implementation of requested changes.
9. Supporting the financial management of the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme and help to ensure that appropriate links are in place between management and statutory financial reporting.
10. Ensuring that timely and accurate information is prepared to facilitate the delivery of an effective treasury management function.
11. Contributing to the accurate completion of government returns, benchmarking, and other questionnaires.
12. Undertaking analysis of financial and performance data and providing financial advice to support effective decision making and meet financial governance requirements across the Council.
13. Supporting the timely delivery and preparation of information for business case submissions from a financial perspective, quality assuring the information provided, to ensure that customer requirements are met.
14. Building strong working relationships with finance colleagues and internal and external stakeholders to contribute to the delivery of a high performing customer focused finance service. This may include supporting front line services where your work contributes to improving the lives of residents across Essex.
The Experience You Will Bring
15. Ideally, we are seeking applicants with a degree in a discipline with a strong numeracy and/or analytical bias, but we will consider strong applicants irrespective of the degree subject.
16. Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
17. Ability to contribute to proposals and decisions.
18. Ability to work cooperatively with others to successfully achieve tasks and deliver results.
19. Willing to assist in developing solutions to tackle problems and achieving outcomes.
20. Ability to build relationships with others, both internally and externally to the organisation.
21. Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft office packages.
22. Willing to study toward CIPFA professional qualification and CPFA designation.
Essential Requirements for the role:
23. Educated to RQF Level 6 (or expecting to graduate by Summer 2026) with a 2:2 in any subject AND
24. A minimum of two A-Levels Grade A-C (or equivalent) AND
25. Three GCSEs Grade A-C (4 and up) including English & Maths (or international equivalent)
Please note that any offer made is conditional to you being able to provide all your qualification certificates. If you have international equivalent qualifications a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided; if you do not already hold one you can purchase online
Why Essex County Council?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex County Council offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we are committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex County Council is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2027. You can read more about
, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
How to apply
Seize the day! Discover your future in the Finance Team by clicking the APPLY button now!
To be considered for this opportunity you must include a supporting statement as part of your application. Applications that are received without a supporting statement will be rejected immediately.
Please ensure your CV or cover letter includes details of your Degree, A Level and GCSEs (or equivalent) grades. We may not be able to consider your application if these details are not readily available.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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