2026 Finance Apprentice – Level 2 Accountant Assistant, with progression to Level 3 Assistant A[...]

Thales; Templecombe; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in Templecombe is seeking a Level 2 Finance Apprentice with opportunities for career advancement up to a Level 4 Professional Accountant. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training, recognized qualifications, and be part of a permanent role from day one. Responsibilities include financial reporting, budgeting support, and data management. This position offers a salary of £24,000 per annum along with various benefits.

Benefits

201 hours annual leave plus bank holidays

Company Pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Life Insurance

Discount Portal

Performance-related pay uplifts

80 hours volunteering (first two years)

Qualifications

• Permanent right to work in the UK is mandatory.
• Candidates must pass Government security clearance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with stakeholders to report on overheads and headcount.
• Provide timely and accurate cost information to management.
• Assist in budgeting cycles as required.
• Manage data cleanse activities including balance sheet reconciliation.
• Support projects with timely cost transfers.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Education

5 GCSEs 9-4 (A-C), including English and Maths

Job description

2026 Finance Apprentice – Level 2 Accountant Assistant, with progression to Level 3 Assistant Accountant and Level 4 Professional Accountant

Start Date: 07 September 2026

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Location: Templecombe

Employee type: Permanent

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

What the role has to offer

• Earn while you learn
• Job specific training experience
• Recognised qualifications
• Permanent role from day one
• Tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully covered
• Great opportunity to gain experience and further your career in Finance
• Operate in a visible role with an opportunity to add value from the early stages

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities will vary depending on which team you are sitting within, but may include:

• Liaising with various stakeholders to understand, challenge and report the overheads and headcount of the business
• Providing accurate, timely and reliable overhead and cost information, and analysis to senior management
• Utilising Thales tools to develop internal reporting and ensure consistency across the UK
• Supporting cost centre reviews
• Assisting in the budgeting cycle where required
• Managing data cleanse activities including balance sheet reconciliation
• Supporting projects in maintaining forecast invoicing dates and improving cash forecasting
• Supporting Project Managers and Business Controllers in timely cost transfers
• Assisting in Project Closure activities
• Ad hoc tasks, reporting and analysis as required by Financial Controller/Director
• Supporting preparation and distribution of monthly financial results, ensuring tight deadlines are achieved
• Supporting monthly overhead, headcount and Direct Labour Utilisation (DLU) reviews
• Supporting the preparation and review of monthly Cost By Nature (CBN) and Functional Cost Report (FCR) reports, including commentary and analysis as may be requested by Group, UK or business management
• Support the overhead Multi-Year Budget (MYB) process
• Support the overhead reforecasting process
• Provide information on headcount evolution
• Provide specific analytical reports to cost centre managers
• Support the preparation and posting of journal vouchers, including accruals, prepayments, corrections etc.

Apprentice Programme

Apprentices will start by enrolling onto a Level 2 Accountant Assistant Apprenticeship with our award‑winning training partner, The Apprentice Academy. Delivered via a virtual delivery model over 15 months, the apprenticeship will introduce you to day‑to‑day accounting activities and will help you to build the competence to deliver these successfully. On completion of the programme, you will achieve an AAT Level 2 Diploma in Accounting. On completion of the Level 2, you will be supported to progress onto the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship (18 months) and the Level 4 Professional Accountant Apprenticeship (17 months) to achieve your AAT qualifications.

Requirements

• 5 GCSEs 9‑4 (A‑C), including English and Maths

All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to undergo Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements before starting with us.

Benefits

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Life Insurance
• Discount Portal
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• 80 hours volunteering (first two years)

Closing date

Applications will close at 11.59 pm on Thursday 12 February 2026. The role may close earlier if a high number of applications is received. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Recruitment Process

For further information on our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to speak to a member of the Future Talent Team, please visit the Thales Future Talent Connect portal.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security restrictions. Successful candidates must have a permanent right to work in the UK and will undergo Government security clearance at BPSS Level and must obtain full SC clearance prior to commencing employment. SC clearance generally requires residency in the UK for the last five years and the provision of evidence of identity, eligibility to work, time spent abroad and employment/education history.

Equal Opportunities

Thales is an equal‑opportunity employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process and will provide reasonable adjustments for neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition. If you need this job advert in an alternative format or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid‑to‑senior roles or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.