CGS0001 - Accounting Technician - Career Grade Opportunity

Career Grade Opportunity with the CFRS Finance Department

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is an inclusive employer that is professional, supportive, and community focussed, striving to make Cumbria a Safer Place for all.

We have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate looking to join a busy, expert team delivering a wide range of financial functions to the Fire Service. 

What is a Career Grade Scheme?

At Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service we aim to have a high caliber workforce with the skills, competencies, knowledge and experience to deliver a diverse range of excellent services and to meet its many objectives. To achieve our goals, we recognise that bringing in talent can be supported in many ways, and one of these ways is supporting candidates through a Career Grade Scheme.

A Career Grade Scheme has an Entry Level Role, possible Intermediate Roles, and a Final Level Role, and the service will support progression through these roles to upskill and retain exceptional staff. 

For more information on our Career Grade Scheme process, we have our published policy here: Career Grade Scheme (WORD). 

About this opportunity

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS) is now the responsibility of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

We are looking for an ambitious and driven individual who has an interest in financial matters and is looking for a career opportunity as a permanent part of the finance team at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.  

This is an exciting opportunity to assist others in the Finance team to support CFRS in effectively developing and managing its short and medium term budgets and being a part of this exciting journey as a standalone improving fire service.

From the Entry Level Role, Financial Administrator, to the Final Level role of Accounting Technician, this Career Grade will support the Financial Accountant, Assistant Accountant and Finance Officer in ensuring day-to-day financial effectiveness. You will be responsible for supporting in a variety of tasks starting with more transactional and support type activities and building on this with on-the-job development whilst undertaking supported study for the AAT Accounting Technician qualification. 

The attached Career Grade Overview document and the below post specifications for both the entry and final level posts provide more detailed information on this rewarding development opportunity.

Attachment: CGS0001 - Overview of Career Grade Scheme (WORD)

Attachment: CGS0001 - Entry Level Role - Finance Administrator (WORD)

Attachment: CGS0001 - Final Level Role - Accounting Technician (WORD)

Please note, there will be additional Intermediate Level roles that can be shared with successful candidates at interview. 

The Candidate

To succeed in this role the successful candidate should have an interest in financial matters and be eager to learn and develop their knowledge and skills by working towards the AAT qualification together with on the job learning and development. This opportunity is ideal for someone who may be at the start of their career, or someone who may have completed some of the AAT qualifications and would like to continue in their finance career. 

You should be highly motivated and have a strong commitment to ensure CFRS continues on its journey towards becoming Financially Sustainable.

You must have a passion for identifying new opportunities and encouraging innovative improvements to the way the service is delivered and be effective at building relationships at all levels.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Undertake all training and development opportunities in order to gain the qualifications, skills, and competencies required to progress to the next level.
• Compile a Personal Development Portfolio of evidence achieved (this will be supported by the wider team).
• Complete, with line manager, the Career Grade Assessment Record
• Attend regular reviews and appraisals
• Agree to the Career Grade Training Agreement 

Full information and guidance will be provided on successful appointment. If you have any queries, especially about adjustments we can provide to support you at work, please contact the Resourcing team here: Recruitment@cumbriafire.gov.uk 
 

Details of the Post 

Salaries: 

• Entry Level - Finance Administrator - £25,584 - £25,992
• Final Level - Accounting Technician - £33,366 - £34,314

Hours: This role is 37 hours and undertaking the qualification levels will be included in your working time.  We offer flexible work options, that can be discussed at interview. 

Contract: Permanent

Location: The Finance Department are based at Carlisle East Fire Station and Penrith Headquarters. 

Closing date: Monday 11th August 2025 at 11:59pm. 

Interviews: Interviews will be held at in person the week commencing Monday 18th August 2025. The location will be confirmed with successfully shortlisted candidates as soon as possible.  

**All posts on the Career Grade Scheme require a Standard DBS check**

• CFRS has a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for those whose most recent employer is the Armed Forces, for Care Leavers, and for Disabled Candidates. The scheme is linked below and there is a specific section of our application form where you can mark if you consider yourself eligible. We encourage candidates to let us know so we can provide the best support and access throughout the process.
• Adjustments – we strongly encourage any candidate who may require adjustments to make us aware as soon as possible, either using the section on the application form or by contacting the Resourcing Team directly (email below). We will have a confidential discussion with you and we take the approach of ‘you tell us what you require, and we will do our best to facilitate’. Where we are unable to make the adjustment, we will share this asap. 

Resourcing Team email: Recruitment@cumbriafire.gov.uk 

TO APPLY:

Please complete the online Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Application Form.

Link to Application Form: https://forms.office.com/e/Wit9u9zZQK (Microsoft Forms)

Please note: We do not accept CVs. 

If you have any queries at all, please contact the Resourcing & Talent team via email: Recruitment@cumbriafire.gov.uk