Apprentice Accountant

Government jobs, apprenticeship; Wickford; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Clay Ratnage & Co. is offering an apprenticeship at our Wickford office, combining classroom teaching in Chelmsford with in-house training. You will gain exposure to bookkeeping, audit and taxation while working on real client files.

The apprenticeship lasts about 1 year 3 months, with a 37.5 hour work week and a starting salary of £17,000 per year. Training to you to become a competent assistant accountant and progress within the firm.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English with grade 5/C or above.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills required.
• AAT-level training with on-the-job learning provides practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, record and process data.
• Perform accounting work on Excel.
• Use desktop and cloud-based accounting software.
• Assist with audit testing in-office and off-site.
• Communicate with clients.
• Carry out general administrative duties.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Analytical skills

Team working

Meet deadlines

Work under pressure

Education

GCSE maths & English (grades 5/C or above)

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

Job description

Summary

We are looking for an energetic and driven apprentice to join the team at our Wickford office. With a mixture of classroom teaching in Chelmsford and in-house training at our Wickford office, we will provide you with a rounded training programme with exposure to many different areas of accounting, including: Bookkeeping, Audit, and Taxation.

Wage

£17,000 a year

Pay and Performance reviews every 6 months

Pay and Performance reviews every 6 months

Training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday 9:00am - 5:30pm. Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm. 1 hour lunch to be taken between 12:00 and 2:00. 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas to New Year.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 16 November 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You'll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

• Preparing, recording and processing data
• Accounting work on Excel
• Use desktop and cloud-based accounting software
• Audit system testing in the office and off-site
• Communicating with clients
• General administrative duties in the office

Where you’ll work

Construction House
Runwell Road
Wickford
SS11 7HQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

Training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels

What you’ll learn

Course contents

• Assist with the investigation of, and response to, financial information queries.
• Record and analyse financial data using the organisation's standard tools and processes.
• Apply double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards to process financial documents, generate financial statements, and report financial information to users of accounts.
• Assist with production of accurate financial information for the preparation of accounts.
• Reconcile financial data, such as preparation of reconciliations or review of reconciliations.
• Investigate, resolve, or elevate transactional queries and errors within their remit as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Communicate financial information in a way that non-finance stakeholders can interpret and understand.
• Utilise digital skills to present key financial information using finance and accounting software and applications.
• Use software packages to assist with basic accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
• Communicate using a range of approaches and media, with an understanding of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.

Training schedule

You will join as an apprentice and study for the Level 3 AAT qualification. You will start on the level 3 apprenticeship scheme, depending on your qualifications, before moving to the next level.

Essential qualifications

• GCSE in:
  • 3 other subjects (grade 5 / C or above)
  • Maths and English (grade 5 / C or above)

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Able to meet deadlines
• Work well under pressure

About this employer

Clay Ratnage & Co. was established in East London in 1927. Our business has 5 partners and approximately 45 staff operating from three offices in Romford, Wickford and Grays. Our accountancy practice has been built around providing support to businesses in Essex, London and the surrounding areas and, whilst this continues to comprise the largest part of our client base, we now have a wide variety of clients across the UK and beyond. The philosophy of our business has been to maintain a \"general practice\" approach meaning all staff have extensive experience of accounts, tax and audit and are, therefore, able to provide tailored assistance with day-to-day queries that arise. We also have a specialist Tax department to deal with more complicated tax matters and a specialist Wills and Probate department. We aim to provide a timely and cost effective service and look to build long-term relationships with our clients by delivering our services in a friendly and helpful manner. Due to the longevity of the firm, we have experience in virtually all business sectors but pride ourselves in our specialist knowledge of the building, property, manufacturing and retail sectors, in addition to our long-standing involvement with charities.

https://clayratnage.co.uk/

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay.

On successful completion of your AAT qualification, we will encourage you to move to a level 7 apprenticeship working towards either an ACCA or ICAEW qualification. Our friendly and supportive staff and training network will provide you with the help you need to progress through the exam process.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

Freddie Dewar

[e-mail]

01245209900

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058350.