The finance pathway of Impact – the Local Government Graduate Programme is a unique opportunity for graduates aspiring to build a career in public finance. This four-year, tailored development programme provides a direct route into local government and public service finance, preparing future leaders to tackle the challenges facing communities today.
As part of this programme, you'll gain practical experience across key areas of finance within a participating council, such as financial systems, budget management, payroll, pensions, treasury, internal audit, and accounting. Alongside your hands-on role, you'll study for the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship, which includes the prestigious CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification (CIPFA PAQ) – the essential qualification for public finance professionals.
In the face of challenges like climate change, housing shortages, public health crises, and the cost-of-living squeeze, councils are at the forefront of driving positive change. They combine the skills and dedication of thousands of public servants to improve everyday life for communities. By joining this programme, you will help shape and deliver sustainable, innovative solutions that will impact people’s lives. If you're motivated to make a tangible, measurable difference, this is the ideal place to start.
What we're looking for
We are committed to building a diverse cohort that reflects our communities. Graduates from all backgrounds, universities, and degree disciplines are welcome. What matters most are the values and attitudes you bring, alongside a passion for a career in public service. No prior finance experience is required, and we provide additional support during the assessment process to ensure that underrepresented groups have every opportunity to succeed.
The Finance Pathway welcomes graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study. Our only requirements are:
A minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by August 2025
GCSE Maths and English (Level 4 or above) or equivalent.
You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the Four-year programme. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas.
Candidates must have lived in the UK for the last three years.
For more information on eligibility and right-to-work requirements, please visit our website.
Successful applicants must demonstrate their understanding of our key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process.
The Application Process
As part of the application process, you must complete a Situational Judgment Test and a Numerical Reasoning Test, the only assessments you will need to complete at this stage.
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) presents you with 24 realistic scenarios that someone might experience in a workplace environment, along with multiple ways of responding. The Numerical Reasoning Test (NRT) assesses your ability to work with numbers and interpret numerical data. It consists of 15 questions aimed at testing your numerical skills. The SJT and the NRT will appear after you have completed your application question, and you will need to complete both before you can submit your application. We would encourage you to complete both in one sitting.
Instructions for the test:
- The SJT and NRT are both untimed and should be completed in one sitting. Candidates are expected to complete them within 20 – 30 minutes each. After answering your application questions, you will be taken to the assessment page.
- For the SJT, you will need to organise each scenario into the order of response, depending on what you are most likely or least likely to do for each of the 24 questions. For the NRT, you will be presented with multiple-choice questions and must select one correct answer from each question's options.
- Candidates must also complete a video interview, participate in a virtual assessment centre, and attend an interview at a participating council.
If you experience any difficulties and require an accessible version of the application and test, please contact Impact.support@local.gov.uk , who will provide this.
For further information, please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/ngdp-candidates/ngdp-finance-stream
