Let your career flourish

Trainee Accountant Job Glasgow

In partnership with Glasgow City Council, we are pleased to announce a vacancy for a trainee accountant at Alterledger.  If you live in the Glasgow City local authority and are ready to let your career flourish, this job could be for you.  The position offers study support and a route to gaining a permanent position as a qualified accountant in a modern accountancy practice.  It is expected that the trainee would complete a qualification with CIMA or ACCA.

Why train as a Chartered Management Accountant?

Whether you want to work in practice, in industry or develop your career as an entrepreneur, an understanding of business and finance is crucial to your future success.  The graduate trainee programme at Alterledger will give you valuable real life experience of a modern accountancy practice.

Your training at Alterledger will introduce you to a range of clients in the creative industries and service sectors from start-ups to more established companies.  A chartered management accountant goes beyond the numbers and retrospective reporting.  As a trusted adviser to businesses, you can further your own career at the same time as making a positive difference to others.

The professional CIMA qualification is a globally recognised brand with 87% of employers saying they would pay a premium to have a CGMA work for them according to the 2014 CGMA Brand Index, AICPA/CIMA/Applied Research and Consulting LLC.

Required

Applicants will be required to evidence the following:

• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Residence in Glasgow City Local Authority
• Self motivated
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Clear and professional written and interpersonal communication, especially over the phone and using video technology
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Ability to balance initiative with seeking help
• Conscientious and attention to detail
• Understanding of Alterledger values
• Self-management
• Experience of working in a team
• Commitment to continuous development
• Enquiring and analytical mind with a growth mindset

Frequently Asked Questions:

What qualities does a trainee accountant need?

• Growth mindset
• You will need to demonstrate that you have an eye for detail.  This will be evidenced by your ability to follow instructions, but also understanding the meaning and intention behind information.
• The role requires you to have a proactive approach to problem solving.  You must be able to show evidence of this.
• You will need to show that you understand the values of Alterledger.
• Your professional attitude will be clear from your application.
• You will be asked to demonstrate your Microsoft Excel skills including more advanced functions such as VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, Pivot Tables and Dynamic Tables.
• Experience of using Xero is beneficial, but you will be trained in the use of the software package so no previous accounting knowledge is required.

Is the job office based?

The Alterledger office is located in a well-ventilated modern building in Glasgow.  The job requires a large degree of teamwork, especially in the early stages of training.  The successful candidate will need to be available to work in the Alterledger office from their start date.

How has Alterledger coped with COVID restrictions?

During the lockdown all team members were able to work from home.  No-one was furloughed.  Demand for our services actually increased, which is why we are currently recruiting.  The team is now back in the office with perspex screens to allow social distancing between workstations.

Do I need to have a degree in accountancy?

It is more important that you can demonstrate a desire to qualify as an accountant than having an accountancy degree.  A Chartered Management Accountant is expected to bring context and insight to financial reports.  A degree in an unrelated discipline can actually be an advantage.

How long is the training programme?

You can set your own pace for the professional qualification.  It is expected that you would gain your professional membership of CIMA or ACCA within 4 years.  As an accountant you will never stop learning.  To maintain customer focus, Alterledger prioritises continuous learning and development.

How can I stand out as a candidate?

There is plenty of information on the Alterledger website about the company and what we are looking for in the recruitment process.  Make sure you have read and understood these resources before starting your application.  If you can demonstrate a growth mindset, this will help you stand out from the crowd.

What is the office culture like?

The Alterledger office is open plan so you are connected to the rest of the team.  It is a quiet office with a focus on professionalism.  We are a small team so everyone is involved in the full range of clients and activities.  You will have the opportunity to suggest improvements to processes and shape the direction of the business from the start of your job.

Why Alterledger?

Alterledger is a modern accountancy practice.  Gone are the days of paper files and manual calculations.  Alterledger has embraced cloud computing drawing on the resources of Xero, Dext, Spotlight, Futrli, Dropbox, Slack and Office 365 to operate a paperless office.  As part of a small practice you will be able to make a significant contribution to the company and suggest your own ideas for improvement.

How to apply?

Please apply by emailing your CV and covering letter.  The covering letter must address all the requirements above.

Please review the Recruitment Privacy Notice.  All candidates will be required to sign a copy as part of the application process.

This post is part funded by the Glasgow Guarantee Employability Support Initiative targeted at reducing and sustaining unemployment levels for Glasgow citizens.  All applicants must be able to evidence that they live within Glasgow City Council boundaries and are unemployed/under-employed or facing redundancy.

Closing date for applications

Applications must be received by 13:00 on Monday 14th June 2021.

Interview process

The interview process has two stages.  The first interview will be conducted online using a zoom video link.

Candidates who progress to the second stage will be invited for an interview at Legal House, 101 Gorbals Street, Glasgow G5 9DW (subject to social distancing regulations in force at the time).