Graduate Finance Officer

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Please apply online by clicking the link below

There has never been a more exciting time to join Wirral Council. We’ve got ambitious targets to meet and to achieve everything we have promised to our residents, we need people who are ready to deliver the very best for our communities and show how they can #BeTheDifference. Our vision is to secure the best possible future for our residents, defined by the community prosperity we create and supported by our excellent people and services. If you strive to #BeTheDifference and want to be at the heart of our change and improvement journey, then this could be the perfect job for you.

We have an exciting opportunity for 3 Graduate Finance Officers to join our Finance Graduate Programme at Wirral Council on a *3 year fixed term contract.

*length of contract will be dependant on the time it will take for you to complete Level 7 CIPFA.

About the Programme

Our Finance Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain a professional qualification, which is fully funded, while working and gaining invaluable experience. You will spend your time training to be an accountant whilst gaining real-life work experience, putting into action the things that you will learn during your studies. The professional qualification process is expected to span three years.

The programme is designed to develop future public finance professionals by providing a framework to operate within as well as the necessary support to facilitate attainment of a professional qualification. You’ll gain hands-on experience across a broad spectrum of finance functions while studying for a CIPFA accountancy qualification.

We welcome applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds. What’s required is an aptitude for learning and a commitment to fulfil on the discipline, determination and dedication needed to achieve an accountancy qualification. We’re looking for individuals who demonstrate strong potential, motivation and a genuine interest in public service.

You will receive the support and development you need to thrive—both professionally and personally.

What you can expect:

• Learning and development: Engage in continuous learning through real-world experiences while studying for your professional qualifications.
• Meaningful responsibility from day one: Contribute directly to services that make a difference in people’s lives and help shape the Council’s financial future.
• Structured development and mentorship: from senior leaders, including opportunities for reverse mentoring.
• Unique experiences and leadership growth: Take part in high-impact projects and leadership development initiatives across the organisation.
• Supportive Graduate Network: Join a strong community of fellow graduates to share experiences, insights, and support throughout your journey.

What you will have to commit to:

• Academic matters: attend teaching sessions and independently study towards the CIPFA accountancy qualification, which will require you to regularly sit and pass exams.

• Work-based: you will undertake rotational placements across various accountancy, internal audit and pension fund work areas, gaining practical experience and delivering professional working standards.

• Time: training to be an accountant is a multi-year endeavour, with the expectation that at the end of your training the investment made in you will develop you to be a key part of the Council’s future operations.

• Public sector values: you will be required to understand and uphold the Council’s values, demonstrate a clear interest in public sector finance and contribute positively to the organisation’s goals.

What you will get out of it

Throughout the programme, you will work towards a professional qualification as part of an apprenticeship pathway. This is a significant commitment, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

As a Graduate Finance Officer, you’ll need to demonstrate focus, commitment, and strong organisational skills to successfully balance your work responsibilities with your studies. While you will be granted dedicated study leave to support your learning, additional study in your own time will also be necessary.

Pursuing a professional qualification requires dedication and perseverance. We encourage all applicants to carefully consider the demands of the programme before applying.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking ambitious, creative, and driven individuals who want to make a real difference.

• Professional – Contribute to the work of the Council, work well with others, listen actively, respect others and communicate clearly to provide the best possible service.
• Ambitious – you will be aiming high, learning from your experiences and applying your studies.
• Doers - You’re motivated, ambitious, proactive, curious, ready to take on challenges and adaptable to change.
• Innovators - You bring fresh ideas with a willingness to challenge the status quo. Being brave in looking for alternative and creative approaches to operations.

We value diversity of thought and background. Whether you’re a recent graduate or looking for a career change, we want to hear from you.

Why Wirral?

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Professional qualification support
• Flexible working and hybrid options
• A beautiful place to live and work

Discover Wirral

Wirral is a truly unique place. Home to over 320,000 residents and more than 8,000 businesses, our stunning peninsula spans 60 square miles and boasts 25 miles of scenic coastline. With a rich blend of culture, heritage, and natural beauty, Wirral offers the best of both worlds, peaceful countryside and vibrant urban life, all just a stone’s throw from Liverpool and historic Chester.

At Wirral Council, we’re committed to making a positive difference for our communities. Our people are at the heart of this mission—supported, developed, and empowered to lead change. Graduates are a vital part of our future, and we’re excited to welcome the next generation of talent.

Get to know Wirral Council, the services we provide and get to know yourself. Successful applicants will gain significant experience of Accountancy, Internal Audit and Pension Fund operations, through a rotation programme that will take you from graduate to qualified accountant, opening opportunities within the Council and the wider Public Sector.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Anne-Marie Evans via annemarieevans@wirral.gov.uk

If you are a Wirral resident, are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team on info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or contact 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.

Working at Wirral

You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here so, as a start:

Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave.

We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We’re serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.

We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.

We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities.

Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.

We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk

Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies.

It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications.

Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed.

All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page.

The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now.

We do not accept applications or CV’s from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.