Job Introduction
Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.
A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development.
A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.
The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure:
- the lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement
- a very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable. CIPFA cites progress being made in several key areas, including the addressing of risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
- completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
- closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
- a very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board
The Trainee Accountant role is one of four trainee accountant posts in the department. The post is key to our policy of growing and investing in our own people to help deliver the council’s plans and future financial sustainability. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and enquiring individual to undertake training as a Trainee Accountant within our dedicated finance team. The successful candidate can expect to undertake a training contract leading to an accredited accountancy qualification (CIPFA) and will receive practical experience and gain exposure to a wide range of accounting techniques and skills.
The main responsibilities of this role are:
- The Trainee will have placements across the four key teams: Management Accounting, Corporate and Strategic Finance, Projects Systems and Commercial and Internal Audit and will move between these areas during their period of study. This will give breadth of experience to support their CIPFA studies.
- Progression through the bands will be dependent upon the postholder being successful in their professional examinations and showing steady progression in the duties they undertake for the Council which will be assessed through the Council’s performance management scheme.
- At more senior bands, the Trainee will acquire competence in a wide range of duties and able to plan their own work. They will have developed the professional judgement to be able to use their knowledge to identify solutions to problems that arise in their work.
- Work with financial information and a range of financial systems.
- Complete day to day maintenance of the general ledger such as journal transfers and other transactional tasks.
- Help maintain the completeness and accuracy of the Council’s accounting records in accordance with best professional practice.
- Through the placements in the 4 key teams:
- Management Accountancy – supporting budget monitoring and setting (revenue and capital), reconciliations, forecasting including variance analysis, and supporting decision-making by the Service Departments.
- Corporate and Strategic Finance – financial reporting, supporting the closure of accounts, cash and banking, assist in completing grant claims and statistical returns.
- Projects, Systems and Commercial – analysis of project costs, provide support for the Finance System.
- Internal Audit – risk management, review of internal controls, review of compliance, assurance and advice.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact
- Andrew Cross, Head of Management Accounting on 07870 386523 or email Andrew.Cross@Bradford.gov.uk,
- Celia Yang, Head of Corporate and Strategic Finance on 07977 814829 or email: Celia.Yang@Bradford.gov.uk or
- Karen Ind on 07483 984699 or email karen.ind@Bradford.gov.uk.
Please be advised that we may close the application process if we early based on the number of applications we receive.
Further information is available through the links below, along with the attached Job Profile and Candidate Information Pack.
Budget Meeting of Council - 06 March 2025
Statement of Accounts - 2023/24
CBMDC - External Assurance Review
Employee Offer
Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf .
Equal Opportunities
We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants.
The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.
