Apprentice Accounting Technician in Wakefield

Looking for a senior finance role where you can make a real impact on frontline policing? West Yorkshire Police is offering an exciting opportunity to join our Finance and Commercial Services Directorate as an Apprentice Accounting Technician. This role provides a structured pathway to develop your career while studying towards a professional AAT qualification. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience within our Statutory Accounting team, supporting the delivery of high-quality financial services that underpin critical policing operations. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with strong numerical ability, a willingness to learn, and an interest in pursuing a career in finance.

Role and Responsibilities

Working within the Statutory Accounting team, you will support the delivery of core financial processes and gain exposure to a wide range of accounting activities. Key duties include:

• Supporting the preparation of the Chief Constable’s annual Statement of Accounts and associated disclosures in line with statutory requirements
• Assisting with the daily maintenance of the Police bank account, ensuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with financial regulations
• Helping to record and code income and expenditure transactions within the financial ledger
• Supporting the production of monthly bank reconciliations to ensure financial records align with bank statements
• Assisting with processing payments, including foreign and urgent transactions, within agreed timescales
• Managing queries through the Statutory Accounting mailbox, ensuring timely and professional responses
• Supporting reconciliation of receipts accounts across Districts and Departments
• Assisting in the preparation of working papers and evidence for external audit review
• Providing financial support and guidance to internal stakeholders, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures

Throughout the role, you will learn and develop your technical skills while contributing to the delivery of accurate and reliable financial information.

Training and Development

You will be supported to undertake the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification, gaining both practical experience and professional knowledge. This role offers:

• Structured on-the-job training
• Study support for AAT qualification
• Mentoring from experienced finance professionals
• Exposure to public sector finance and statutory accounting

Essential Criteria

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A good standard of numeracy and literacy
• A willingness and commitment to undertake an AAT qualification
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Basic knowledge and ability to use spreadsheets (e.g. Excel)
• A proactive approach to learning and development
• The ability to organise your workload and meet deadlines

You will also be willing to work flexibly where required to support key financial processes.

Benefits / What We Offer

West Yorkshire Police staff can access a wide range of benefits designed to support work–life balance, wellbeing, development and financial security. These include:

• Generous annual leave allowance - 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working options, including agile working arrangements to help you manage your professional and personal commitments
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme
• Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility-dependent)
• Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card
• Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent)
• Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes
• Opportunities for career development and training
• Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
• A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities
• Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs

How to Apply

Join us in supporting effective financial decision-making across West Yorkshire Police. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your expertise in a role with real purpose and impact. Closing date: Friday 29th May. The successful candidate will be subject to personal and financial vetting checks prior to appointment. Interviews will take place before the end of June 2026.