Yes, you can land an entry level finance job in Manchester without London experience on your CV. There are fewer openings than in London, so the people who get them are the ones who check often and apply early.
Which entry level roles come up in Manchester?
The usual first jobs are KYC analyst, CDD analyst, onboarding analyst, AML analyst and compliance monitoring officer. You'll check customers' identity, review documents, look for suspicious activity or test whether a firm's controls work. None of them need a finance degree.
Who's hiring in Manchester?
A few recent examples from our board:
Swiss Life posted a Compliance Monitoring Officer role in Manchester on 30 September. It's on site, and it's the kind of role new starters can go for.
Digital bank Kroo advertised a hybrid Compliance Officer role in Manchester over the summer.
Vanguard has a Head of Financial Crime Operations Execution role in the city. That one's senior, but it tells you Vanguard runs a financial crime team in Manchester, and those teams hire analysts too.
What do entry level jobs in Manchester pay?
2026 UK salary guides put KYC analyst starting pay at around £30,000 to £40,000 and junior compliance roles at £22,000 to £30,000. Those are national figures. London pays roughly 15 to 25 percent more than the regions, so expect Manchester offers to come in below the London equivalent. Your rent will be lower too. Many ads leave pay out, so ask before the second interview.
How do you find them before everyone else?
Search "Manchester" on our jobs page and set a job alert. Then check the KYC roles and AML roles pages, because some Manchester employers list hybrid roles that don't show up under a city search.
Apply in the first few days. Entry level roles in Manchester get plenty of applicants, and some employers stop reviewing once they have enough.
What do employers want?
Accuracy, clear writing and the ability to follow a process without cutting corners. Graduates and career changers both get hired. Our guide on getting your first compliance job with zero experience shows what to put on your CV. For the bigger picture, read our Manchester risk, compliance and AML guide.
What if Manchester is too quiet?
Widen the search. Edinburgh has a big financial sector, and our guide to entry level jobs in London paying £30k+ covers the higher paying end if you can commute.
Apply direct
Every role on Direct Compliance goes straight to the employer, with no recruiter in the middle. Browse the latest roles and set up an alert so new Manchester roles reach you first.
FAQs
Are there entry level finance jobs in Manchester?
Yes, though fewer than in London. KYC, onboarding and compliance monitoring roles are the most common.
Do I need experience for an entry level compliance job in Manchester?
Usually not. Many teams hire graduates and career changers and train them.
How much do entry level jobs in Manchester pay?
Salary guides suggest around £30,000 to £40,000 for KYC analyst starts and £22,000 to £30,000 for junior compliance roles nationally. Manchester offers tend to be a little below London.
Can I work from home in a Manchester finance job?
Some roles are hybrid. Fully remote entry roles are rare, and most employers want new starters in the office at first.
Read next: Compliance Officer Salary UK (2026): Pay by Level.