Trainee Accountant

Scottish Government; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the NHS Scotland Finance Delivery Unit as a trainee accountant, helping to manage and monitor NHS Boards' financial performance within a supportive, dynamic environment. You will collaborate across varied teams, gain opportunities for professional development, and contribute to healthcare finance management while studying towards a recognized accounting qualification.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working options

Supportive professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Invited to start studying for professional accounting qualifications.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are sought.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reviewing financial performance information.
• Support financial and operational planning activities.
• Draft quality contributions and responses for key reviews.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Are you well organised, with a great eye for detail and excellent interpersonal skills?

The NHS Scotland Finance Delivery Unit are seeking a trainee accountant to support a number of the senior members of the team to manage the NHS Boards' financial performance and correspondence. You will have a key role in management of the overall health budget which is over £21.7 billion, working closely and engaging with internal stakeholders as well as NHS Board colleagues in a supportive environment.

You will use both written and verbal communication skills to deliver quality work, and manage competing priorities to help drive improvements in a fast-paced evolving environment. You will also have the opportunity to study towards a professional accounting qualification while in post.

This role offers the chance to join the Finance Delivery Unit and work collaboratively across Scottish Government and with Health Boards to support financial planning and performance across NHS Scotland. We foster a supportive and dynamic environment, offering a great chance for professional development and to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare finance.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the review of financial performance information provided by NHS Boards, including financial and performance monitoring of NHS Scotland, outlining key changes across reporting periods, identifying inconsistencies and assessing funding expectations of NHS Boards.
• Supporting areas of financial and operational planning including learning to conducting analysis of financial data and metrics from other policy areas such as workforce and performance.
• Providing administrative support in relation to key financial reviews of NHS Boards.
• Drafting quality contributions and responses to MiCases, and briefings within required timescales, and in line with the teams agreed quality assurance process.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Trainees are invited to commence studying towards their professional accounting qualifications. Various bodies are considered appropriate, and agreement of professional pathways will be discussed with line managers on successful appointment.

Success Profile

We use an assessment framework called 'Success Profiles' which lists the elements we test and provides descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing - (Level 1)
• Making Effective Decisions - (Level 1)
• Working Together - (Level 1)
• Developing Self and Others - (Level 1)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the Making Effective Decisions behaviour as listed above.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 11th August 2025 however this may be subject to change.

Qualifications

About Us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.