Early Careers Jobs Hub

What makes finance in local government different?

Starting a career in local government finance gives you early exposure to real responsibility and meaningful work. You are not analysing hypothetical scenarios or working on narrow segments of a business. You are helping to plan and manage budgets that fund services, infrastructure, and long-term investment that communities rely on every day.

You will work in an environment where:

• Whole-organisation visibility
  You gain experience across a wide range of services such as housing, social care, regeneration, and capital projects. This breadth helps you build commercial, technical, and strategic skills quickly.
  
  
• Strategic influence
  Finance graduates are involved in work that supports real decisions, from shaping budgets to supporting transformation programmes and long-term planning.
  
  
• Public accountability
  Financial decisions must be transparent, evidence-based, and defensible. This develops strong professional judgement and governance skills that are highly valued across the profession.
  
  
• Long-term planning and sustainability
  The focus is on resilience, stewardship, and delivering value for residents over the long term, rather than short-term profit targets.

For graduates, this means building a career where you develop technical expertise, gain broad experience early, and see the direct impact of your work on a city and its communities.

The Nottingham Trainee Accountant Scheme

Our Trainee Accountant Scheme is your gateway to a professional career in public finance. Designed around the prestigious CIPFA qualification – the only professional accountancy body specialising in the public sector – this four-year programme combines structured learning with practical experience across the full breadth of our finance function.

You won't be making tea and filing spreadsheets. From day one, you'll be part of the team, contributing to real work that shapes the future of Nottingham.

A Structured Path to Qualification 

The scheme is built around a series of rotational placements, each lasting between three and twelve months, designed to give you exposure to different areas of finance:

Each placement comes with a clear work plan, a dedicated placement manager, and regular progress reviews. You'll never be left to sink or swim – we invest in your success.

Professional Qualification: CIPFA

Over the four years, you'll work towards the CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification.

The qualification is structured across a number of stages:

CIPFA

Upon successful completion, you'll be a fully qualified member of CIPFA– a credential recognised across the UK and internationally, opening doors to senior roles not just in local government, but across the wider public sector and beyond.

Remuneration: Progress as You Progress 

One of the most attractive features of our scheme is that your pay increases as you progress through the qualification. You're not stuck at an entry-level salary for four years - exam successes and competencies achieved bring pay rises.

This means that by the time you qualify, you're already earning at a level commensurate with your new status – and well positioned to apply for senior roles within the organisation.

The Support You'll Receive 

We know that studying for a professional qualification while working full-time is demanding. That's why we've built a comprehensive support package around you.

What Comes After? 

Qualification isn't the end – it's the beginning of your career as a professional accountant. Our aim is to retain you within Nottingham City Council, and we actively support trainees in applying for senior roles as they near qualification.

And because you'll be a fully qualified CIPFA accountant, your options extend far beyond Nottingham – across local government, central government, the NHS, housing associations, and the private sector.

Is This For You? 

We're looking for curious, motivated, and resilient individuals who want to build a career with purpose. You don't need a finance background – just strong numerical skills, a willingness to learn, and a genuine interest in how public money serves communities.

Successful trainees come from all kinds of backgrounds: straight from university, career-changers, school-leavers with A-levels, and more. What unites them is a desire to do work that matters.

Ready to Start Your Journey? 

Applications for our 2026 trainee cohort are now open. You'll join a small, supportive cohort of fellow trainees, each on the same journey. You'll be part of something bigger – a finance function that's been through the fire and emerged stronger, now building for the future.

Shape the Future of Public Finance. Start Here. Join our team