Job Description

ESB Accounting & Finance Traineeship 2027

Who We Are

We have been Ireland's foremost energy company since our establishment in 1927. We are driven to make a difference by achieving a clean energy future. We are a strong, diversified utility operating right across the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution, to supply. We also work in other related sectors where we can make a difference, including telecommunications, electric vehicle charging, home retrofits and more.

At ESB, we believe that electricity is a social good that should be accessible and affordable for all. We also believe in acting with integrity and transparency, protecting the world around us, and creating an inclusive and flexible culture that protects and empowers people. Across our diverse range of businesses, we use our capability and expertise to develop smart and sustainable energy solutions to tackle climate change, one of the biggest challenges facing society today.

By delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable solutions for a zero-carbon world, we continue to transform lives and enable social and economic progress and change. This is our purpose. ESB is committed to driving society forward and delivering a net zero energy future for our customers and communities. This strong sense of purpose is reflected in our unwavering commitment to tackling some of the biggest challenges we face as a society, including climate change. 

Why join us?

On our Finance Graduate Programme, you will get an opportunity to experience first-hand how we work. You will have the opportunity to be part of our finance team on a 3.5-year programme and will partake in rotations across several positions to ensure a great breadth of finance experience is obtained throughout the programme. You will also be supported in obtaining your ACA qualification and becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant in association with Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Our traineeship programme offers structured rotations which will give you the opportunity to gain experience across several areas including:

• Core accounting foundation principles
• Statutory accounting 
• Liaising with our external auditors
• Aid in the identification and recommendation of improvements to processes/controls
• Financial review, analysis and business commentary 
• Group Internal Audit
• Set up ESB future financial systems to efficiently support proactive financial management.  
• Developing Finance best practices using new technologies.

We have developed a bespoke Accounting/Finance Traineeship Programme which includes:

• Learning & Development: As well as supporting you through the ACA exams with study leave etc., you will also participate in personal development programmes designed to help you grow professional and personally. Central to our programme is your continuous professional development. A bespoke Graduate Training Programme will be delivered by HPC focusing on developing key skills such as effective team working, project management skills, presentation skills, commercial skills and leadership development.
• Performance Orientated: On-going one-to-one conversations and management reviews to ensure that you are working towards achieving your professional status and position you for a career in ESB.
• Supportive Working Environment: In addition to your immediate support network of Line Manager, Middle Manager, Team Colleagues and Graduates Peers, you will also be assigned a Buddy and a Mentor. The role of a Buddy is to help you settle in during the early days of your employment, while the Mentor supports you over the entire term of the programme to guide you on your career.
• Social Networking: Over the past few years our graduates have been involved in all sorts of Sports and Social activities. Anything from Tag Rugby, Cricket, Soccer and GAA to language classes, team building challenges, charity work and graduate social events. Our clubs, societies and networks are a great way to build your contacts and of course make new connections.

Why work with us?

We offer a competitive graduate salary and a comprehensive benefits package built on four pillars of Reward, Career, Community, and Well-being:

• Progressive, hybrid working model
• Career development through mentoring and training
• Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Credit Union access
• Pension Scheme
• Employee well-being programmes
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Great team environment with our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Trusted, and Driven

Location

As a Finance Graduate, you will be primarily based in Dublin

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

What we look for?

• You should have (or be working towards) a minimum of 2.1 Honours Degree in Business, Accountancy & Finance or equivalent course where your major was Accountancy
• CAP 1 exemption is desirable.
• Strong IT skills, knowledge of SAP, and/or experience in data analytics would be an advantage but is not essential.
• You need good communication skills, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to learn quickly.
• Be innovative in your approach and able to demonstrate your ability to take initiative and actively contribute to your team. 

Your CV should be no longer than two pages and clearly outline the following:

• Title of your Degree, and Masters (if applicable)
• Your results to date
• Your final year subjects
• The title of your final year project
• Any relevant work experience
• A contact telephone number (please ensure a voicemail function is activated on your phone)

Closing date: 19th October 2026