2027 Finance Apprentice

Thales Group; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flexible working options

Earn while you learn with a salary

Professional qualification

Contributory Company Pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Holiday entitlement 201 hours a year

Life Cover

Job summary

Thales Group in Crawley is offering a Finance Apprentice role designed to support the finance team while you study towards Level 2 Accounts Assistant and Level 3 Assistant Accountant qualifications. You will gain hands-on experience in accounting tasks, reporting, budgeting, and financial controls, with BPSS/SC eligibility and the option of a permanent role on successful completion.

The programme includes hands-on learning, a virtual training programme, and the chance to achieve professional

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs grade 9–4 (A–C) including English and Maths.
• You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to obtain BPSS screening and Security Clearance (SC) before starting.

Responsibilities

• Support finance teams with day‑to‑day tasks and projects.
• Help resolve timesheet and labour booking queries.
• Assist with monthly financial reports, cost, overhead and headcount reporting.
• Support budget planning, forecasting and reforecasting activities.
• Assist with cost centre reviews and management reporting.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reconciliations.
• Participate in project finance activities including cost transfers and project closures.
• Assist with journals, accruals, prepayments and corrections.
• Produce reports and perform data analysis.

Education

GCSEs: 5 passes including English and Maths

Job description

As a Finance Apprentice, you'll support a variety of finance activities across the business while gaining hands‑on experience in a professional environment.

Responsibilities

• Supporting finance teams with day‑to‑day tasks and projects.
• Helping resolve timesheet and labour booking queries.
• Supporting the preparation and distribution of monthly financial reports.
• Assisting with cost, overhead and headcount reporting.
• Supporting budget planning, forecasting and reforecasting activities.
• Assisting with cost centre reviews and management reporting.
• Helping maintain accurate financial records and reconciliations.
• Supporting project finance activities, including cost transfers and project closures.
• Assisting with financial journals, accruals, prepayments and corrections.
• Supporting ad hoc finance projects and business activities as required.
• Producing reports and carrying out data analysis.
• Completing other finance‑related tasks as required.

What You Will Learn

• Financial reporting and analysis
• Budgeting and forecasting processes
• Cost management and overhead reporting
• Balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls
• Cash flow forecasting and invoice management
• Using business finance systems and reporting tools
• Understanding how finance supports business performance and decision‑making
• Working with stakeholders across different areas of the organisation
• Interpreting and presenting financial data to management
• Planning, organisation and problem‑solving within a professional finance environment

Apprenticeship Programme

• Study towards a Level 2 Accounts Assistant Apprenticeship (12 months), followed by a Level 3 Assistant Accountant (15 months)
• Complete your training with The Apprentice Academy, our lead training provider
• Learn through a virtual training programme
• Gain knowledge and skills in everyday accounting and finance activities
• Develop the confidence and competence to carry out finance tasks successfully
• Achieve an AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting and a Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting upon successful completion
• Please note that you will need to pass the Level 2 apprenticeship, before being able to progress onto the Level 3. Both Level 2 and Level 3 are required for this role.
• 5 GCSEs grade 9‑4 (A‑C) to include English and Maths; you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC) before starting employment.
• To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

Role Details

Are you an individual who is proactive with a passion for getting into the detail? We have an exciting opportunity to join our finance team based in Crawley. This role is a rare chance for a highly motivated individual to take on a role that has excellent career progression opportunities within Thales.

This apprenticeship will provide a strong foundation in finance while helping you build the skills and experience needed for a successful career in the industry.

Benefits

• Earn while you learn with a competitive salary
• Gain hands‑on, job‑specific training and real‑world experience
• Achieve a recognised professional qualification
• Secure a permanent role from day one
• Have your tuition fees fully paid
• Build valuable experience and develop your career in Finance
• Work in a high‑profile role where you can make a real impact from the start
• Learn from experienced professionals and develop skills that will support your long‑term career growth
• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.