Graduate Finance Placement (Hybrid) – Public Sector in Cardiff

This is a placement role for individuals who have recently (within 18 months) gained a graduate qualification in a finance, accountancy, business, economics or related discipline. Under the direction of the line manager and host team, you will support the delivery of accountancy and financial management activities, contributing to effective financial control, accurate reporting and informed decision-making. Following a full training package, you will work closely with and be mentored by an experienced Accountant and other members of our finance teams, developing practical experience of public sector finance and management and financial accountancy. As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

What you will do:

• Support the preparation and maintenance of financial records in line with organisational policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Assist with budget monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis, providing timely and accurate financial information.
• Contribute to the production of financial reports, working papers and returns for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support year-end processes, including reconciliations and audit preparation.
• Assist with the processing of financial transactions, ensuring accuracy, completeness and value for money.
• Respond to finance-related queries, working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.
• Manage health and safety issues on a day-to-day basis and contribute to a positive health, safety and well-being culture.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Required to take part in incident response activities.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills:

• A graduate qualification in accountancy, finance, economics, business or a related discipline from a higher education institution.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Good inter-personal skills with the ability to work under pressure and use your own initiative to meet deadlines.
• Strong ICT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel.

Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Additional Information:

• Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
• Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.
• This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme).
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements for all your life needs.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits and support.
• Weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose.

We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.