Accountancy Apprentice

Job description

Salary: Apprentice Grade - £17,710 a year depending on age
Location: Council house
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract Type: Fixed term - 2 years
Closing Date: 04/10/2026

The Opportunity
We are looking for an highly organised and detail-focused Accountancy Apprentice to join our Accountancy - Service Support team, who are responsible for supporting numerous services across the Council. This role offers a great chance for career growth, allowing you to work towards the AAT Level 4 Accounting qualification while gaining practical experience in a supportive environment.

You'll be part of an accountancy team involved in supporting financial operations, by carrying out various accountancy and administration tasks, including inputting journals, interrogating financial systems, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with month-end and year-end accounting procedures.

You'll be well-supported throughout your accountancy apprenticeship and gain valuable experience in public sector accounting, contributing to efficient financial processes while progressing in your professional qualification.

The Accountancy Apprentice position is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and advance within the organisation.

In the role of Accountancy Apprentice, here's an example of what you'll be doing to make an impact:
• Update financial reports and maintain both manual and digital filing systems.
• Assist with the reconciliation of revenue and balance sheet accounts.
• Input data into financial systems and run reports to support colleagues and budget managers.
• Contribute to year-end accounting processes.
• Manage your own workload while supporting the financial team with various ad hoc administrative tasks.
• Gain exposure to a range of accounting activities, including budgeting and forecasting.

What you'll be doing
• Process journals to accurately record financial transactions in compliance with accounting standards.
• Check financial transactions to ensure they are recorded correctly and investigate any discrepancies.
• Perform reconciliations, such as matching accounts and resolving discrepancies between records.
• Ensure that all financial transactions align with relevant accounts and ledgers.

About you
To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have...
Good organisational and numeracy skills
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Attention to detail
Use of packages including Microsoft Office Excel and Word
GCSEs grade C/4 or above including Maths and English or equivalent
Working toward achieving Associate of Accounting Technician qualification (AAT) ideally level 4
Able to demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and self-motivation
Ability to work well as part of a team
Ability to prioritise and work to challenging deadlines

Who We Are
At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create anInclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.

Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.

Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.

Why join Derby City Council?

At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:

Financial Benefits
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
• Team Derby Rewards - discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme - a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle

Work-Life Balance
• Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
• Flexible retirement options, where eligible
• Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities
Learning and Development
• Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
• Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
• Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training
Community and Inclusion
• Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
• Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
• The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity

At Derby City Council, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Whatever stage you're at in your career, you'll be joining an inclusive organisation where you'll be supported to develop, feel valued and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.

Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an application form, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website.

The closing date for this vacancy is specified at the top of the advert. Applications received after midnight on the closing date will not be accepted.

Interview dates 14 - 15 October 2026
Interview location: Council house

If you would prefer to apply using your CV, please complete the attached Declaration Form and send it to [email protected] - titled Accounting Apprentice application

Applications submitted by CV must include a completed Declaration Form to be accepted; this can be found at the bottom of the advert.

We also encourage you to complete the attached Equalities Form and return it to [email protected] . This is optional and will not affect your application.

Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are available below.

Before submitting your application, please read our guidance on completing the application form and ensure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification.

All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the role.

Where a DBS requirement is indicated at the top of this advert, the successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our safer recruitment process.

Where a Market Rate Supplement is indicated at the top of this advert, it is paid in addition to the basic salary and is subject to regular review. The supplement may be reduced or withdrawn and will reduce in line with incremental progression and pay awards.

The Council has a legal obligation to consider suitable redeployment opportunities for employees at risk of redundancy. Consequently, this vacancy may be withdrawn before the advertised closing date if it is filled through the Council's redeployment process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK: 18001 01332 640844) or email [email protected] .

Please see here for Job Description
Please see here for Person Specification
Please see Declaration Form for CV Applications here
Please see Equalities Form for CV Applications here