Finance Development Programme

Location

Swindon / Wiltshire

Salary

£34,000

Contract

Permanent (Full Time)

Reference

1033

Closing Date

07 December 2025

Job description
Good things this way

Over three years you'll rotate across teams responsible for financial accounting and reporting, from producing Nationwide's Annual Report and Accounts to delivering regulatory returns for the Bank of England, and Financial Conduct Authority. You'll also gain exposure to specialist areas such as taxation, treasury reporting, loan loss provisions, reconciliations, and technical accounting, learning how we ensure accuracy, compliance, and sound judgement across Nationwide.

Each of your three 12‑month placements will progressively build your skills and confidence, preparing you to step into an Accountant‑level role. Alongside this, you'll study for the ACA Chartered Accountant qualification, embedding core accounting practices and applying them directly in your work.

Thrive within our high-performance culture as you experience hands-on learning, tailored training, and a strong support network.

Where you'll be working

Our Finance function ensures we spend our customers' money wisely. We provide financial partnering services, produce statutory and regulatory reporting, raise wholesale funds & maintain liquidity. We also provide lending for social housing, deliver a financial plan, manage stress testing requirements, and provide and maintain financial systems and technology.

What you'll be doing

Year one placement

In your first year, you'll build a strong foundation in accounting fundamentals while preparing for your initial ACA exams. Working in the equivalent of an assistant accountant role, you'll support the production, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of month‑end numbers. You'll also be encouraged to spot opportunities for process improvements and collaborate across teams to drive efficiency.

Year two placement

In your second year, you'll make a pivotal step up to an intermediate level, moving into a new team to build on your first year of development. You'll take greater ownership of analysis and commentary, playing a more influential role in supporting accounting processes and reporting. This is your chance to drive for higher impact, develop confidence, and contribute meaningfully to the production of financial reports.

Year three placement

In your final year, you'll step into the equivalent of a senior assistant accountant role, taking on more complex responsibilities in areas such as treasury reporting or ARA disclosures. You'll broaden your expertise, showcase the skills you've built across the programme, and provide insights that shape reporting for publication and external stakeholders.

By successfully completing your ACA qualification and contributing to key deliverables, you'll be ready to progress into an Accountant‑level role and take the next step in your career at Nationwide.

Location

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, based at our Swindon head office.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

About you

Whether you're a recent graduate, contemplating a career change, or are already working in finance but seeking your next challenge, our finance development programme paves the way for for a rewarding career in banking.

You'll need to have:

• Two A Level qualifications (A*-E) and three GCSE's at grades A-C/grade 9-4 (or equivalent) including Maths and English Language
• The drive to embrace development opportunities.
• An expectation of high performance – from both you and those around you.
• A high standard of numerical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to analyse data and information to problem solve to identify challenges and propose solutions.
• Through research and experience, commercial awareness of Nationwide and the financial services industry.
• An inquisitive mind and an aptitude for problem solving.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organisational skills to plan and deliver work with attention to detail.
• Good time management and prioritisation skills for working in a fast-paced environment.
• A want to get involved in activities across the Finance department, such as working with our recognition teams or Network and Knowledge events

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers' shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we're honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
• Push for better - We don't settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes.

The extras you'll get

High performing and purpose-driven colleagues deserve a rewarding career and competitive benefits to match. We offer you:

• 25 days holiday per year, which increases over time to 30. Plus, you can 'buy' up to 10 extra days each year, giving you even more choice.
• From January 2026, all colleagues will benefit from private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement.
• Access to an annual performance related bonus
• Access to training to help you develop and progress your career
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death.
• Wellhub access for a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society

We forge our own path at Nationwide.

As a mutual, we're owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don't see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you're inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you're one of us.

At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the 'Apply Now' button, where you'll be asked to answer a few quick questions for us.

We'll send you our online assessments to complete and there will also be a short video interview to find out more about you. If you are successful, you could be selected to attend one of our assessment centres which run from January 2026.

Visa sponsorship information

As a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the applicable Immigration Rules and guidance (which are subject to change). The Skilled Worker route has specific requirements relating to skill level of the role and minimum salary expectations. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited or may not be possible for some programmes.

VISA Sponsorship cannot be offered on this programme.

All successful applicants with need to demonstrate their right to work in the UK on commencement of employment and for the duration of the programme applied for without requiring sponsorship.

If you have any further questions, please contact us

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