Trainee Accountant

Huntingdonshire District Council; Huntingdon; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded training

Study leave and exam support

Mentoring by finance professionals

Hybrid working

Job summary

Huntingdonshire District Council is offering a Trainee Accountant position within the Finance Team. The role provides practical experience across financial disciplines while studying towards a fully funded professional accountancy qualification.

You will join a supportive team and contribute to local government finance, with a structured development programme, mentoring, and flexible hybrid working arrangements. The closing date and details are provided on the council site.

Qualifications

• Strong numerical and analytical skills required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Keen to learn, develop and progress in finance and public service.

Responsibilities

• Budget setting and financial planning.
• Budget monitoring and forecasting.
• Financial systems and reporting.
• Year-end accounts and statutory reporting.
• Financial analysis and business partnering.
• Treasury management and financial governance.
• Exchequer support and transactional postings.
• Bank and other reconciliations.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Public service interest

Education

Recent graduate in accounting/finance

Studying accountancy

Job description

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people.

Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making.

At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.

As local government continues to evolve, Huntingdonshire District Council is preparing for an exciting period of change through Local Government Reorganisation . While organisational structures may change in the coming years, our commitment to delivering excellent services for our communities remains unchanged.

Joining HDC now gives you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact today whilst helping to shape the future of local government across our area. We are looking for people who are motivated by public service, embrace innovation, and want to play a part in building the organisation of tomorrow.

Job details

Are you ambitious, analytical and looking to build a successful career in finance?

Huntingdonshire District Council is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Accountant to join our Finance Team. This is an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience across a wide range of financial disciplines while studying towards a fully funded professional accountancy qualification.

Whether you are a recent graduate, studying accountancy, or looking to take the next step in your finance career, we will provide the support, training and experience needed to help you become a professionally qualified accountant.

Working within a friendly and supportive team, you will gain valuable experience of local government finance, helping to ensure public money is managed effectively and that vital services can continue to be delivered for our residents and communities.

About the role

As a Trainee Accountant, you will work alongside experienced finance professionals and gain exposure to many different aspects of finance, including:

• Budget setting and financial planning
• Budget monitoring and forecasting
• Financial systems and reporting
• Year-end accounts and statutory reporting
• Financial analysis and business partnering
• Treasury management and financial governance
• Exchequer support and transactional postings
• Bank and other reconciliations.

You will take part in a structured development programme, gaining hands-on experience through a variety of work assignments and opportunities across the Finance Service.

Alongside your day-to-day responsibilities, you will undertake a fully funded professional accountancy qualification and receive dedicated mentoring and support throughout your studies.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong numerical and analytical skills
• Is organised, accurate and pays attention to detail
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Is keen to learn, develop and take on new challenges
• Has a genuine interest in finance and public service.

What we can offer

At Huntingdonshire District Council, we believe our people are our greatest asset. In return, we offer:

• Fully funded professional accountancy training (CIPFA or equivalent CCAB qualification)
• Dedicated study leave and exam support
• Structured career progression linked to professional development and qualification achievement
• Mentoring from experienced finance professionals
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunities to contribute to exciting projects, transformation programmes and the future of local government services.

This is more than just a trainee role. It is an opportunity to build a rewarding professional career while making a real difference to local communities.

You will join a forward-thinking Finance team at a time of significant change and opportunity within local government, gaining experience that will help you develop into the finance professional of the future.

An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.

The closing date is 9am 18 October 2026 and interviews will be held the week commencing 22 October.

We recognise that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. While we welcome the use of technology to help present your experience and achievements, we ask that the content of your application remains an accurate reflection of your own skills, knowledge and experience.In particular, we encourage candidates to demonstrate how they meet the criteria for the role by providing specific examples from their own experience. This helps us to better assess your suitability for the position.

For many of our roles, our hybrid work model enables employees to work remotely while allowing for in-office collaboration opportunities across the district, with an expectation of being in the office at least two days a week. However, please note that some positions may require a more consistent presence in the office due to the nature of the work.

Please note that the official closing date is as above, and will be the correct date. Some third-party websites may have different dates. Please refer to the HDC website for the official closing date to ensure you do not miss out on applying.

Working for the council

As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee-led environment.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.