Trainee Accountant - Major Programmes

If you are an AAT or degree qualified candidate looking to undertake a professional finance qualification and gain valuable experience within the public sector, then this might be the role for you. We currently have a vacancy for a Trainee Accountant within our Major Programmes team that's responsible for delivering a professional accounting service across a portfolio of Major Programmes, totalling more than £3bn.

You'll need to business partner with your external counterparts within Local Authorities, and hone in on your stakeholder management skills internally too.

You will have the fantastic opportunity to be funded and supported for a CIPFA Level 7 Professional Accountancy qualification through our organisation. Upon completion of this qualification you will be CCAB qualified and ready to take on responsibilities of a professional accountant. (Undertaking this qualification is a requirement of this role)

What will you be doing?

• Prepare workings and journals for month-end and annual financial reporting
• Assist with cash-flow forecasts for expenditure across WMCA Major Programmes
• Review and assess project spend and forecasts provided by Local Authority partners
• Assist with the accurate submission of Major Programme capital and revenue budgets, ensuring they are fully supported by sound assumptions and reviewed regularly in line with the annual budgeting cycle.
• Manage the effective and efficient operation of the Major Programme grant claim process ensuring WMCA adhere to the established deadlines and reimbursement to stakeholders are progressed in a prompt manner.
• Ensure that all external reimbursements of Major Programme funding are supported by accurate workings, robust checks and appropriate supporting evidence
• Work alongside internal and external stakeholders, including Local Authority Members, to facilitate the delivery of Major Programmes
• Assist with year-end statutory audit requests as required.
• Invest in your professional development and continuous improvement through formal training within a dynamic working environment.

About you

We are looking for a dynamic and proactive candidate who has a dedicated approach to completing their CIPFA qualification with us. In addition, you'll need the following:

• Level 4 AAT or Degree (or equivalent) qualified with a minimum of a 2:1, ideally in a relevant subject
• Three GCSEs, grades A-C (or grades 4 and up), and two A-Levels, grades A-C, or accepted equivalent (subjects must include Maths and English at either level)Proven stakeholder management experience
• Intermediate skill level with MS packages including Excel
• Strong numeracy skills

Please note that the first stage in the process will be an online knowledge test. Then successful candidates will be invited to attend the office for a final interview which will include an exercise and formal interview.

Please note this is NOT a graduate scheme, where you would undertake a rotation into different areas of the business

About us

WMCA is committed to a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener and healthier region. This is our vision. We will achieve our vision through living our values which are central to how we work and interact with our wider partners and stakeholders.

We’re a partnership organisation. Our people feel valued and respected, have a can-do attitude and are innovators. We try new ways of doing things, we aren’t afraid to fail, learn from what went wrong and try again. Our people are empowered to be creative and explore and innovate.

We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have made a positive commitment to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the essential role criteria. We are committed to building a team of people with varied backgrounds and experiences as we recognise that this will only benefit us as an employer, the more inclusive we are the better our work will be.

As an organisation, we will continue to adapt and develop to the opportunities and challenges ahead. We will continue to transform ourselves and our organisation into the best we can be, underpinned by our values and behaviours and everyone contributes towards achieving our vision.

Furthermore, wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance. We are very happy to discuss a flexible working pattern that suits your needs, so please do not let that be a barrier to applying. If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

Recruitment Partner: Sally Stuart

Starting salary £32,601

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven - Focussed on impact - leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands.
• Inclusive - Every voice matters - we create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive.
• Innovative- We think future and act smarter - embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).