South West Graduate Finance Training Scheme - Overview


The NHS is an exciting and challenging place to work. The introduction and embedding of extensive NHS reform and re-structure over the past few years has brought new and increasingly complex challenges for NHS leaders and managers and the NHS finance function is no  exception.

There are over 15,000 finance staff working in the English NHS; the NHS Finance Function can offer a wide variety of career options covering roles from Finance Assistant to Finance Director. The NHS has an annual budget of around £98 billion and NHS finance professionals need to be expert in the financial planning, analysis, management and control of these funds. Directors of Finance and senior finance managers in the NHS play a key role in delivering financial governance and assurance; they also need many different skills ranging from innovator, entrepreneur, process re-engineer to detector and manager of risk.

The aim of the  NHS South West Finance Management Training Scheme is to attract potential “high flyers” to NHS finance roles in the south  west and to ensure that there is an adequate pool of highly competent, skilled and trained finance professionals with the potential to  succeed in senior and director level roles. The scheme will provide flexible, challenging and top quality training that meets the needs of local NHS organisations, finance departments and trainees.

The NHS expects all staff to maintain and develop their expertise, and the Finance Function is no exception. When you join us, you will undertake an orientation process that will introduce you to the organisation and finance team with which you will be part. We will work with you to ensure you have a personal development plan that will help you to grow your skills and abilities whilst on the scheme and to move towards the next step in your own personal career pathway.

You will be given study leave and full financial support to study for a professional accountancy qualification through CIPFA, CIMA or ACCA. In addition, you will have access to technical, personal and management and leadership development as well as a wide network of NHS finance professionals who will help you to develop both your competences and your career. At the end of the scheme you will be supported and encouraged to find a suitable role in an NHS organisation within the south west and assisted in the transition into a local finance post. A career in NHS Finance is likely to be:

  • Demanding
  • Varied
  • Interesting
  • Rewarding
  • Valuable
  • Developmental
  • Challenging
  • Fun

Jill Flanningan, Management Accounts, Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Since beginning my accountancy training with the NHS in September 2007, I have worked in three different organisations with turnovers ranging from £100m to £1bn. My training contract has enabled me to experience a wide range of placements within these organisations that have included financial accounting, management accounting, commissioning and corporate accounting. No two days are the same and as a trainee you need to be highly adaptable as you can find yourself assisting with yearend accounts, liaising with internal audit, meeting with budget holders and drafting board level reports all in the same day.

My orientation period at the beginning of my training contract was a highlight as it allowed me time to spend on the “front-line” of NHS care where I could see exactly how good financial management would make a difference directly to patients. I can’t think of any other accountancy training schemes that would have given me the opportunity to observe surgery first hand, work a full shift on A&E and ride along with an ambulance crew.           

However, your career will only be as good as you make it. Working together, we can achieve the right career pathway for you. We will expect you to play a significant part in the future of the NHS. That means constantly working to improve the way NHS funds are used and continuously improving the way you do your job. In return, we will play a significant and exciting part in your career. We will offer you a variety of experiences as you progress within the finance function and will help you to learn about the way the NHS operates. We will support your personal and professional development and make sure you have the opportunities you deserve for a great career in the modern NHS.

Sarah Brampton, Director of Financial Services, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

The training scheme gave me some unique opportunities that have been invaluable throughout my career to date in the NHS.  The chance to experience working in different sectors of the NHS finance function broadens your understanding and ability to make a difference to patient care.  The training scheme is a fantastic opportunity to propel yourself into a fast –moving and satisfying career.  Within 10 years of graduating from the scheme, expect to be making multi-million pound decisions on a daily basis - not for the faint-hearted!

Have you ever wondered how much an operation costs, or how the NHS finds the money to build a new hospital, or why we have waiting lists?

Do you want to choose a career in the NHS and make a significant difference to the way we provide patient care and service to the public?

If your answer is yes, then a career in NHS finance may be the right option for you.

Further information on careers in accounting and the NHS can be found on the
following websites: