Finance Trainee

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study support

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Finance Trainee to join the Finance Training Academy, rotating across core finance functions and studying toward ACCA or CIMA. You’ll gain hands-on experience while under the mentorship of qualified accountants, accelerating your professional growth in a fast-paced, supportive environment.

With a permanent, full-time contract and a 35-hour week, the role offers office-based work with flexibility (1-2 days in the office) and benefits including study support as you

Qualifications

• Strong numerical and analytical abilities for financial work.
• Good problem solving and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage priorities.
• Customer/stakeholder focus and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Rotations across core finance functions including transactions, accounting, FP&A and reporting.
• Support in processing finances and maintaining controls and reconciliations.
• Assist with month-end procedures, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand requirements and provide insights.
• Study toward ACCA or CIMA while gaining hands-on practice.

Skills

Numerical ability

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Stakeholder skills

Education

ACCA or CIMA qualification

Tools

Excel

Finance systems

Job description

£25,000 - £30,000 per annum plus benefits including study support

Reports to: Finance Manager

Directorate: Finance, Governance & Assurance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 19 October 2026 23:55

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Recruitment process: 1 -2 stage competency-based interview Interview date: W/C 26 October 2026

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

As a Finance Trainee, you'll join Cancer Research UK's Finance Training Academy, where you'll build a broad range of skills while working in a fast-paced and supportive environment. Through rotations across a variety of business-critical finance functions, you'll gain valuable hands‑on experience while studying towards your ACCA or CIMA qualification.

Supported by qualified accountants and experienced managers, you'll receive comprehensive on‑the‑job training and development, helping you apply your studies in a practical setting and accelerate your professional growth.

This is an excellent opportunity to launch your career in finance. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of disciplines across the finance function, from transactional accounting and treasury through to financial reporting, business partnering, and financial analysis, providing a well‑rounded foundation for a successful finance career.

Your day‑to‑day responsibilities will vary depending on the team you're working in, the stage of your training programme, and your progress towards qualification, ensuring a varied and rewarding learning experience.

What will I be doing?

As part of the Finance Training Academy, you'll complete a series of rotations across our finance function, gaining experience in a variety of specialist areas. Each rotation will have clear objectives and development opportunities, helping you build technical expertise and progress towards your professional qualification.

You may gain experience in:

Transactional Finance

• Processing donations, income and financial transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Supporting Accounts Payable activities, including supplier invoice processing and payments.
• Assisting with pension administration and responding to member queries.
• Contributing to financial controls and reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of financial records.

Financial Accounting & Control

• Supporting the preparation of year‑end accounts and statutory reporting.
• Assisting with audit processes and maintaining strong financial controls.
• Completing balance sheet and account reconciliations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and ways of working across the finance function.

Management Accounting & Reporting

• Supporting month‑end activities, including accruals, prepayments and financial reviews.
• Assisting with the preparation of monthly and quarterly management reports.
• Gaining exposure to key accounting areas such as payroll, fixed assets and investments.
• Helping improve reporting processes and the quality of financial information.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Producing financial analysis, variance commentary and management insights.
• Working with stakeholders across the charity to understand financial performance and future requirements.
• Providing ad hoc analysis and reporting to support business decision‑making.

What We're Looking For

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good Excel and IT skills, with confidence using spreadsheets and financial systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A customer‑focused approach with the confidence to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.

Behaviours

• Motivated and eager to learn, with a genuine interest in finance.
• Able to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Committed to delivering high‑quality work and meeting deadlines.
• Open to new ideas and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• A collaborative and professional approach that reflects Cancer Research UK's values and mission.

Qualifications & Experience

• A strong interest in pursuing a professional accounting qualification (ACCA or CIMA).
• Demonstrates the commitment and motivation required to balance work and professional studies.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under‑represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.