An exciting pathway within the Impact programme designed for graduates who aspire to make a meaningful impact on their communities through the world of public finance.
Welcome to the Impact Finance Stream, an exciting pathway within Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme, designed for graduates who aspire to make a meaningful impact on their communities through the world of public finance. If you're passionate about finance and your local community's well-being, you're in the right place.
It is currently only available in London, but we hope to make it available nationally in future.
The Finance Stream is currently open for applications, and you can do so below.
This is a specialised stream within Impact, designed for graduates who want to pursue a career in public finance. It offers a unique and tailored development pathway into local government and other public services for aspiring finance professionals.
The four-year programme is geared towards developing graduates with a passion for finance and communities into future local government and public sector leaders, helping them gain practical work experience while studying for the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship, which includes The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy’s Professional Accountancy Qualification (CIPFA PAQ), which is the key qualification for anyone pursuing a career in public finance management.
Working across a participating organisation, you’ll build up experience in all the important areas of public sector finance, including financial systems, budget preparation and monitoring, payroll, pensions, treasury, internal audit and accounting.
With communities facing numerous challenges – whether it be climate change, housing, public health or the cost-of-living crisis – it can seem insurmountable at times for individuals who want to make a difference. But these issues are at the core of local councils’ work. Councils combine the passion and expertise of hundreds and thousands of dedicated public servants, working to improve everyday life for people in their communities, now and for the future. If you want to make a measurable, tangible difference, you couldn’t ask for a better place to start.
Salary
Starting salaries begin at a minimum of £30,296, though this may be higher in some councils and could increase due to ongoing pay negotiations. Some councils also offer additional inner and outer London weighting allowances. Your starting salary and benefits package will depend on the council you are placed with. All packages include generous holiday entitlement, flexible working arrangements, and an excellent pension scheme.
Eligibility
The programme welcomes graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study. Our only requirements are:
a minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by July 2024
you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the four-year programme
candidates must have lived in the UK for the last three years
unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas.
Structure of the programme
If you are successful at the interview stage, you will work as an employee of the participating organisation on a fixed-term contract, with the possibility of being offered a permanent role upon completing the programme, subject to the council's recruitment requirements and at the council's discretion
During this time, you will learn different aspects of finance to gain a wide range of experience and skills, alongside completing the CIPFA Level 7 apprenticeship.
Any questions?
Check out our frequently asked questions below if you have any questions. Alternatively, email us at impact[email protected].
Participating councils
For Cohort 2, recruitment will be focused exclusively on London councils. While the number of participating councils is still being finalised, Cohort 1 recruited over 46 trainees at 22 participating councils (including the London MET).
Councils that took part in the previous intake include:
City of London Corporation, Greater London Authority, London Borough of Barnet, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Croydon, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London Borough of Haringey, London Borough of Hillingdon, London Borough of Islington, London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Lewisham, London Borough of Redbridge, London Borough of Southwark, London Borough of Sutton, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Metropolitan Police Service, Richmond and Wandsworth Council, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Westminster City Council.
Further details on the councils involved in Cohort 2 will be shared as they are confirmed.
Application process
The recruitment process consists of several stages, each designed to assess the key skills and behaviours essential for the role:
Initial Application: Candidates will start by completing a short application form, a situational judgement test and a numerical reasoning test.
Video Interview: Successful candidates from the first stage will be invited to participate in a video interview.
Assessment Centre: Candidates who pass the video interview will attend a virtual half-day assessment centre.
Final Interview: Those who succeed at the assessment centre will be invited to a final interview at a participating organisation.
CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship
All successful trainees will complete the CIPFA Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is for those aspiring to become future public finance leaders and to qualify as a Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CPFA). The skills and knowledge you develop as you move through the programme are fundamental to the roles of steward, enabler and innovator, and business partner – performed by finance professionals working across the public and private sectors. You will also learn key leadership skills.
Training is delivered by qualified experts with years of public finance experience. It involves a combination of online and offline learning. This includes face-to-face sessions, which are held in London.
More information about CIPFA and the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship can be found on the CIPFA website.
Skills and behaviours
works collaboratively across diverse teams, demonstrating sensitivity and respect for individual differences in terms of background, needs, and perspectives
asks questions and is open to challenge in the pursuit of mutually beneficial solutions.
articulates information with clarity and purpose both orally and in writing and can adapt approach to meet the needs of the audience
actively listens to ensure understanding and explains complex concepts in a straightforward manner.
proactively manages own workload effectively and efficiently to balance multiple and varied demands
is comfortable working on multiple projects or tasks, drawing on effective strategies, tools, and techniques to prioritise tasks.
takes responsibility for getting things done and meeting expectations, with the flexibility to adapt approach in response to changing priorities or new information
considers the implications of their decisions and actions and remains positive in the face of challenge or setbacks.
accurately interprets information from different sources, including financial and non-financial information, to gain insight, solve problems, and draw evidence-based conclusions
effectively makes links between different sources to identify key trends.
proactively seeks out opportunities, both formal and informal, to learn and develop
values continuous learning, development, and self-improvement
demonstrates the resilience to manage conflicting priorities and recognises the importance of self-care and boundary setting.
is passionate and enthusiastic about serving and supporting the needs and interests of the local community through the appropriate spend of public funds
recognises the broader political and economic landscape on how public finances are managed and how own actions can make a positive impact on achieving sustainable financial solutions.
recognises the importance of leading by example through their own work ethic and values
is comfortable working independently and taking ownership of tasks, whilst providing support and leadership to others.
Frequently asked questions
It is a specialised stream within the Impact programme, designed exclusively for graduates who want to pursue a career in public finance. It offers a unique and tailored development pathway into local government and other public services for aspiring finance professionals.
The Impact Finance Stream is a dedicated track within Impact that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge specific to finance roles. While Impact provides a broad foundation for public service and a management qualification, this stream delves deeper into the financial sector and equips graduates with an accountancy qualification.
It is a four year programme (rather than two) to allow graduates time to complete the accountancy qualification.
Currently the finance stream is available only in London. We hope to rollout the stream nationally in future years.
Specialised finance focus: You will receive targeted training and exposure to the finance industry and every aspect of public finance while studying towards a CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship, including the CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification.
Diverse experience: You will rotate through various finance departments, gaining a holistic understanding of financial operations.
Mentorship: Access to experienced finance professionals who will guide your career development.
Networking: Opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and build a strong professional network.
Competitive salary: A competitive salary and benefits package is provided.
The CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship is a comprehensive program that includes the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy’s Professional Accountancy Qualification (CIPFA PAQ), a crucial qualification for those seeking a career in public finance management. The course covers various areas such as strategic planning, procurement and commissioning, and implementation of new delivery models. Experienced public finance experts facilitate the training, and it involves both online and offline learning methods, including face-to-face sessions.
For more information about CIPFA and the Level 7 Apprenticeship, please visit the CIPFA website.
Yes, you can apply. We will consider applications from anyone who has or is expecting a 2:2 or above in any degree subject. You must also have GCSE Maths and English (Level 4 or above) or equivalent.
You will have the opportunity to work in various finance roles such as financial analysis, investment management, budgeting, and financial planning within local government or related organisations.
The programme typically spans at least four years, during which you will undertake rotations and receive training tailored to finance roles.
Upon successfully completing the programme, you will be in a strong position to move on to a team leader role within your organisation. Qualified public finance professionals are in high demand in the sector. Trainees on a previous scheme have also found roles within participating organisations or the wider public sector, such as the civil service or NHS.
The application process is similar to the generalist stream of Impact. You can find detailed information on the application process, including deadlines and requirements, on our website or in the official recruitment materials.
Yes, we encourage continuous learning and professional development. There may be opportunities for further education or additional certifications to enhance your finance expertise.
For more details and to apply for the programme, please contact our dedicated recruitment team at [email protected]. We are here to support you throughout the application process and answer any questions you may have.
Your employer covers the cost of your training throughout the training period.
Starting salaries begin at a minimum of £30,296, though this may be higher in some councils and could increase due to ongoing pay negotiations. Some councils also offer additional inner and outer London weighting allowances. Your starting salary and benefits package will depend on the council you are placed with. All packages include generous holiday entitlement, flexible working arrangements, and an excellent pension scheme.
Yes, we do accept applications from non-UK citizens, but when you apply, you must be able to prove your eligibility to work in the UK for the duration of the programme. We also need candidates to have lived in the UK for the last three years.
The Graduate Visa (which was available from July 2021) and the Youth Mobility Scheme visa do not meet Impact's criteria to cover the full programme. Therefore, we cannot accept either of these as proof of the right to work. Please note we do not sponsor candidates under the "New Entrant" category.
The guidance and rules about working in the UK can change at short notice, therefore, we recommend you review the UK government guidance regularly as if it changes it may mean we are unable to admit you to the programme.
Candidates must have lived in the UK for at least three years before joining the graduate scheme. However, exceptions can be made for individuals who have undertaken some of their studies abroad as part of their educational programme within those three years.
Applications for cohort 2 open opened on 2 October 2024 and close on 7 January 2025.
If successful, you will be employed by one of the participating organisations on a four-year fixed-term contract. You will be asked for your top 3 preferences within the application form. If you are successful at the interview stage, you will receive a conditional offer from the organisation, which will be subject to passing pre-employment checks. We expect offers to be confirmed by June/July, and your start date with the organisation will be arranged for autumn 2025.
Most of the organisations are looking for candidates to start in July-September 2025.
You will be allocated dedicated study time during your work week to work towards the CIPFA qualification. Typically, during term time, you will receive one full day per week away from your workplace to focus on your studies. This study time is fully paid.
