Graduate Financial Systems Accountant Apprentice

Location: Fire Service Headquarters, Birkenshaw, BD11 2DY

Contract Type: Temporary, Apprenticeship

Closing Date: 25 September 2025

Salary: £34,434 - £41,771 per annum (pay progression dependant on performance and progress)

Specific Hours: 37 hours per week

Graduate Financial Systems Accountant Apprentice

What you will need as prerequisites for applying for this role

Finance, Accounting or Business Related Degree (minimum 2:1)

Please note your degree must include one of the three prerequisites’ subjects as a main element.  A pure economics or maths based degree is not sufficient.

and

5 GCSE grades 4-9 or A-C and 2 A Level grades A-C (subjects must include Maths and English at either level)

About us

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the country’s leading Fire and Rescue Services, to become part of a team where everyone plays their part in making West Yorkshire Safer. 

Joining a first-rate organisation, you will have the job satisfaction of knowing each day that you are contributing to the success of one of just five metropolitan fire and rescue services in the UK, supporting circa. 900 firefighters who work round the clock to help people and save lives. 

We are continuously changing the way our Finance Department works so that we can achieve the very best for our colleagues, customers and communities and we are looking for a Financial Systems Accountant Apprentice to help us achieve our ambitions. This is a new role within the department and it’s an exciting opportunity to shape our future and your own career. You will join a supportive team that has a collaborative ethos and clear direction. 

Your role

You will have the opportunity to support all areas of the finance function and wider business giving you a broad experience of the Authority and Local Authority Accounting whilst also having defined responsibilities and projects to complete. We will support you to study for the CIPFA professional qualification, with the payment of course fees, day release to attend college and leave to study for exams. More information on the qualification is available at the CIPFA web site. We plan to access the CIPFA Level 7 Professional Accountancy qualification through the Apprenticeship route. You will be instrumental in the development of our MS Teams Platform and processes.

What we offer

We offer an excellent package, including Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, 37 hour flexible working week, an employee assistance programme, training and development, sports and social clubs with free use of the gym. 

Our flexible working arrangements include hybrid working. Whilst you will be required to work from our offices during your initial training, after this you'll work both in the office and from home as part of our 'hybrid' working model. Therefore, applicants must have a reliable home internet connection.  

The post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We are a caring organisation, promote an environment of inclusivity and learning and welcome people from all walks of life - just as long as you can show commitment to our values such as integrity and teamwork. 

The closing date for all applications is Thursday 25 September (midnight).

For in informal discussion about this role, please contact Pam Jackson, Financial Accountant at pam.jackson@westyorksfire.gov.uk.

We are an equal opportunities employer; we value and celebrate equality, diversity & neurodiversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome candidates from communities that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, racially & ethnically diverse applicants and applicants with disabilities. We can offer support and adjustments for candidates and staff who experience barriers to work that result from health conditions or Specific Learning Differences, such as dyslexia. WYFRS is a ‘Real Living Wage’ employer. 

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to the safeguarding of our staff, volunteers, visitors and the community we serve. This includes protecting vulnerable adults, children and young people from potential neglect and harm. All employees must share the same commitment. 

If you can meet this challenge, we want to hear from you!

Click here for Job Description / Person Specification

Click here for Terms & Conditions

Click here for Guidance Document

Click here for Additional Guidance for our new E-recruitment System

All correspondence will usually be sent to your email account registered with the online recruitment system rather than by letter. Please check your email account regularly.

If after reading all of this information, you are interested in applying, please read the documents listed above for more details and click on 'Apply' for the application form.

Please note we do not accept CVs. If you are viewing this vacancy on ‘jobsindeed’ or other external platform, the only way to apply for this vacancy is to visit www.wyfs.co.uk/careers and complete the application form via our online Access vacancy system.

We are an equal opportunities employer; we value and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome candidates from communities that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic applicants and applicants with disabilities. We can offer support and adjustments for candidates and staff who experience barriers to work that result from health conditions or Specific Learning Differences, such as dyslexia.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to the safeguarding of our staff, volunteers, visitors and the community we serve. This includes protecting vulnerable adults, children and young people from potential neglect and harm. All employees must share the same commitment.

WYFRS is a ‘Real Living Wage’ employer and have been rated ‘good’ by HMICFRS in all areas of our service.

Apply now