Trainee Accountant/Accountant (Service Accounting) - 2 Positions Available - EAL12726

Days and Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00. Starting and finishing times are flexible, and flexi time is applicable. To start 1st August 2026.

East Lothian Council is seeking a graduate or equivalent to join the team in Service Accounting and provide financial support to a range of services. The successful candidate will undertake the CIPFA Accountancy Qualification and will receive full support, including leave to attend online seminars and exams, study leave, and full financial support subject to the applicant agreeing to the conditions in the Learning at Work policy.

This is a critical post within the structure with opportunities for the successful applicant to help shape the future direction of the team. The council offers flexible working, including working from home and flexi-time, generous annual leave entitlement, and a career average earnings pension scheme.

If you wish to discuss the post further, please email your details to businessfinance@eastlothian.gov.uk for the attention of the Service Manager (Service Accounting).

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration: Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies. Home or hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. Please note: All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction and be on site in East Lothian workplaces as required.

As a key member of the wider Finance Team, the Accountant (Service Accounting) will be expected to:

• Actively contribute to the development of the Council’s annual strategic budget setting process;
• Develop and prepare directorate service budgets aligned to the approved annual strategic budget;
• Take a lead role in supporting the successful delivery of the Council’s statutory financial accounts and other key statutory returns;
• Work collaboratively with Service Managers and Heads of Service to manage their resources effectively and efficiently, providing appropriate financial advice and guidance to support service delivery and facilitate any future transformational change agenda.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’ – values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Relevant Qualifications: Applicants should hold a cognate degree level qualification (i.e. Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Statistics etc).

Level 2 Disclosure Clearance: This role requires Level 2 Disclosure Clearance. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate, and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement. Please note: If a Disclosure check is required and you have spent more than 3 months working or living outside the UK in the last 5 years, you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check.

Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

For additional East Lothian Council employment information, please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo. If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post, please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us. If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Please note: We do not accept CVs (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the online application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the online application form, you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.