Finance Professional Trainee in Caernarfon

THINK. TRY. THRIVE. Have you considered a career in this field? Cynllun Yfory (Gwynedd council's graduate scheme) is a unique opportunity for anyone with a grade of 2:2 or equivalent to develop a career in Cyngor Gwynedd. It's an opportunity for you to develop expertise in a key area and understand more about working in local government. You will receive practical experience and opportunities to develop your specialist and personal skills to ensure a long and successful career here.

CLOSING DATE: 12:00pm, FRIDAY 28/08/2026

If you have any questions please email Lisa Thomas on cynllunyfory@gwynedd.gov.wales or 01286 679094.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL

• Delivering the highest quality work
• Demonstrate a high level of self-awareness
• Demonstrate the potential to be an expert and a leader
• Ready to challenge
• Working with people effectively
• Prioritising well-being

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING

• Possess or are likely to earn a class grade of 2:2 or higher.
• Your degree should be in a subject that is relevant to the field.

SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL

• DBS Full driving licence.

DESIRABLE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Listening and Speaking – Higher Level: Be able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English at a professional level and discuss general topics on a daily basis in the field in order to present information and express opinions.
• Reading and Understanding – Higher Level: Be able to understand standard, formal and informal Welsh and written English.
• Writing – Higher Level: To present written information with confidence in the form of a letter, a more detailed and technical report and to respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and views through the medium of Welsh and English.

Job Description Purpose of the Post

Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do. Receive workplace experiences and support to complete a higher qualification and develop into a leader and expert in the field. The Gwynedd Benefits and Tax Service processes applications for financial support such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and education support, as well as efficiently collecting taxes to help citizens cover their essential costs.

Main Duties

• The main purpose of the Benefits Service is to process applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction Scheme, Education Benefits (Free Lunch and Pupil Development Grant), Discretionary Housing Payments.
• The trainee will support the administration of a range of tax and benefit services, the processing of grants and bills, the running of reports on specialist systems, and the response to queries, correspondence and appeals.
• Work with specialist systems such as MRI and Opentext, and assist with testing and software upgrades.
• Support internal and external audits, including the preparation of relevant responses and documents.
• Dealing directly with the public on Benefits, Council Tax and Non-Domestic Tax matters, including discussing sensitive issues.
• Attend benefit appeals and assist with the preparation of court documents and cases involving fraud or tax arrears.
• Shadow Local Tax Inspectors and engage with a wide range of external agencies.
• Contribute to the service's projects, collect data, respond to Freedom of Information requests and promote services such as online self-service.
• Apply the relevant law to the situations of Gwynedd residents and gain experience of other units in the Department of Finance.
• Follow the Council's policies on health and safety, equality, data protection and carbon reduction.

Responsibility for self-development

• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special Circumstances

e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.