Trainee Accountant, Stornoway - CNS06486

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; Scotland; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Distant Islands Allowance

Job summary

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in Stornoway is recruiting a Trainee Accountant to join the Strategic Finance team on a fixed-term for 3 years. The role offers staged salary progression through training towards CIPFA qualification.

You will gain experience across budget preparation, year-end accounts, financial ledgers, grant claims, reconciliations and internal control processes, with increasing responsibility in years 2 and 3. A degree or CIPFA mature entry is required, with study support provided.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) or CIPFA mature entry through work experience.
• Structured training programme with CIPFA qualification support.
• Experience across budgeting, accounts preparation and financial reporting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with budget preparation and year-end accounts.
• Maintain financial ledgers and grant claims.
• Perform reconciliations and prepare financial returns.
• Support internal control processes and reporting to managers.
• Represent Finance at meetings as responsibilities increase over time.

Skills

Budgeting

Accounts preparation

Year-end accounts

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Education

Degree level or CIPFA mature entry

Job description

ADVERT

Trainee Accountant, Stornoway
35 hours per week, Fixed Term for 3 Years
Salary progression through training:

Stage 1: £30,847 per annum
Stage 2: £34,460 per annum
Stage 3: £37,690 per annum
On qualification: £42,179 to £45,592 per annum

Plus Distant Islands Allowance of £2,835 per annum.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Trainee Accountant to join the Strategic Finance team in Stornoway. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience across a range of finance functions while working towards the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualification.

In your first year, you will develop a strong foundation in local government finance. You will assist with budget preparation, year-end accounts, financial ledger updates, grant claims, reconciliations, financial returns and internal control processes, gaining valuable experience across a range of accounting activities. As your knowledge and experience grow, in your second year, you will take on greater responsibility in supporting budget and accounts preparation, completing financial and statistical returns, assisting with internal audits, preparing financial information and providing financial support to managers across the Comhairle. By your third year, you will take a lead role in preparing budgets, year-end accounts, grant claims and financial returns. You will also represent the Finance Service at meetings when required and support the development and maintenance of effective financial controls across the organisation.

A structured training programme will provide experience across several areas, including Accountancy, Payroll, Council Tax, Purchase to Pay and Internal Audit. Full support will be provided to undertake the CIPFA qualification, including payment of course fees, study support and mentoring from qualified accountants.

You should be educated to degree level (or equivalent) or qualify for CIPFA mature entry requirements through relevant work experience and be willing to undertake the CIPFA professional training programme.

It is vital you read the Job Description and Person Specification. In your application, please demonstrate clearly how you meet the essential criteria for the post.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

Closing Date: Monday 14 September 2026

Salary for the above post is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance.

Please note that sponsorship is not available, or being offered, in connection to this post.