Trainee Accountant

Stirling Council; Stirling; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave: 30 days plus 7 holidays

Hybrid working where role allows

LGPS pension

Sick pay (up to 6 months)

Carers Leave

Paternity Leave

Health & Wellbeing support

Learning & Development

Cycle to Work

Lift share

Car Lease

Technology Benefit

Job summary

Stirling Council is seeking a Trainee Accountant to join the Finance team, offering hands-on experience across local government finance and progression toward a professional qualification.

You will support financial services, learn from experienced professionals, and develop analytical, reporting and control skills in a public sector context.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accountancy/Finance or related field, or working toward a professional qualification.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Good IT skills, particularly Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to learn and develop within a professional finance environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain fixed asset register and related accounting records.
• Assist treasury management and statutory processes.
• Support preparation of annual accounts and statutory returns.
• Assist budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting.
• Contribute to financial analysis and management information.
• Support implementation of financial controls and processes.
• Collaborate with finance colleagues and service departments across the Council.
• Liaise with auditors and stakeholders under guidance of senior finance staff.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

IT skills

Willingness to learn

Education

Degree in Accountancy/Finance or related field

Working towards professional qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Closing Date: 5th November 2026

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £29,361 - £30,912

Hours: 35 per week

Are you looking to start or develop your career in accountancy while making a positive impact in local government?

Stirling Council is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Trainee Accountant to join our Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience across a wide range of local government finance activities while working towards a professional accountancy qualification.

As a Trainee Accountant, you will support the delivery of high-quality financial services across the Council, working closely with experienced finance professionals to develop your technical knowledge, analytical skills and understanding of public sector finance.

About the Role

• Supporting the maintenance of the fixed asset register and related accounting records.
• Assisting with treasury management and other statutory financial processes.
• Supporting the preparation of annual accounts and statutory returns in accordance with relevant accounting standards and legislation.
• Assisting with budget monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Contributing to financial analysis and the development of management information to support decision-making.
• Supporting the implementation and review of financial controls, systems and processes.
• Working collaboratively with finance colleagues and service departments across the Council.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, under the guidance of senior finance staff.

About You

• A degree in Accountancy, Finance or a related discipline, or be working towards a recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Good IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• A willingness to learn and develop within a professional finance environment.

What We Offer

Working for a local authority is both challenging and rewarding. As a Trainee Accountant, you will have the opportunity to develop your professional skills, gain exposure to a diverse range of finance activities and play a part in delivering services that make a difference to local communities.

You will be supported by experienced finance professionals and will benefit from structured learning and development opportunities as you progress your career within local government finance.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Level 1 Disclosure check. If your application is progressed after the interview, you will be asked to complete the form and have your details verified.

If you've got the right skills for the job we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age (restrictions apply to Modern Apprenticeships), disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.

The Benefits

• 30 days annual leave plus 7 public holidays (rising to 35 after 5 years continuous service) Pro-rated for part time roles.
• Flexible working including hybrid office/work from home arrangements where the role allows. We have a good balance across our teams, retaining the benefits to work/life balance of working from home part of the week, with the collaborative and social benefits of working from the office 2-3 days per week
• Biennial incremental progression until top of your payscale is reached
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. For further details visit https://www.scotlgpsmember.org/about-the-lgps/
• Up to 6 months full sick pay and 6 months half pay dependent on length of service
• Carers Leave
• Up to 4 weeks paid Paternity Leave
• Access to Health & Wellbeing support
• Ongoing opportunities for Learning & Development
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Lift share Scheme
• Car Lease Scheme
• Technology Benefit Scheme