Graduate Trainee Scheme

Our Graduate Trainee Scheme includes financial support to become a qualified Chartered Accountant with ICAS. You will get a prestigious, internationally recognised qualification, whilst being involved in varied and interesting work, auditing public bodies in Scotland. You will also be supported to complete a personal development programme aimed at enhancing your career prospects in Audit Scotland., To apply, click the 'Apply' button and submit an application form. If you wish, you can also share your CV. However, please note that due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee that CVs will be screened alongside your application form, therefore please ensure your application form includes all information required to demonstrate you meet the essential and where applicable, desirable criteria for the role. If you require an alternative way to apply under grounds of a reasonable adjustment, please get in touch with a member of the HR team.

• Stage 1 - After the application closing date, you will be asked to complete a short online verbal and numerical test.
• Stage 2 - If you are successful after this stage, applications will then be shortlisted, shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete an online simulation assessment in the form of an analysis exercise.
• Stage 3 - Candidates successful after stage 2 will be invited to a final stage interview. The interview will be competency based and we will be looking for you to demonstrate evidence of the competencies required for the role.
Exact details will be confirmed nearer the time; however, interviews are expected to take place early w/c 22 February and 1 March 2027.

You don't need to be an accountancy graduate or have achieved a specific grade in your honours degree to join us. Our trainees come from a variety of backgrounds and have studied a range of degree subjects. Our trainees join us straight from university or later in their careers. What matters is that you've got great analytical and people skills, are committed to studying for a professional qualification, and excel in a challenging and rewarding role. If you think this sounds like the career for you, then we would love to hear from you. You will need the following skills and qualifications:
• Achieved or be on track to achieve an honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject
• A minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade 4/C (or equivalent) in both Maths and English
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work as part of a team and independently using your own initiative
• An interest in Audit Scotland and/or the public sector as well as the auditing and accountancy profession
• Sound analytical skills for gathering, interpreting and evaluating data
• Disciplined, resilient, adaptable and organised with good project management skills
Candidates requiring sponsorship Please note Audit Scotland is unable to provide sponsorship to candidates for this role under the Skilled Worker visa category as the Home Office's eligibility criteria will not be met. Candidates must demonstrate that they have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the Trainee Auditor employment and training which typically lasts 54 months. This could be from a visa granting permission to work in the UK independently (for example: a dependent or ancestry visa or settled status).

Audit Scotland Our vision is that public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland's people. To achieve this, we support the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission to provide clear, independent, and objective assurance on how effectively public money is being managed and spent. Our work covers about £59bn of public spending, almost 300 public sector accounts, and the services and projects that affect all people and communities in Scotland. As well as what we do, how we do it is integral to delivering our vision and critical to our wellbeing and our organisational success. We put our organisational values of equality, independence, innovation, integrity, and respect at the heart of everything we do. How we work We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles, working from our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and through a network of regional offices across Scotland. We currently have trainee opportunities available across Scotland in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. Our trainee opportunities are available on a 54 month fixed-term contract. We operate a hybrid working environment whereby our trainees can expect to work a mixture of at home, in the office and at client sites.


• Salary£32,408
• WorkplaceHybrid, or partially remote
• LocationAberdeen · Edinburghand 2 others, Competitive starting salary, plus bonuses for passing exams first time and salary increments as you progress through the qualification
• 38 days holiday (inclusive of 8 floating public holidays), 4 fixed public holidays, flexi-time and exam leave
• Career development and training opportunities
• Attractive local government pension scheme (17.6% employer contributions)
• Access to counselling and an annual wellbeing and lifestyle medical check-up
• Discounts from major retailers with our innovative savings
• Interest-free loans for annual season tickets
There has never been a more interesting or important time to join us. We offer a rewarding place to work, a supportive and open culture and a wide range of professional development opportunities.