Apprentice - Finance

Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a motivated individual for the Band 3 Apprentice Finance Assistant position. This role offers the chance to gain hands-on experience in a finance environment while working towards a Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship. The apprentice will support the finance team, handle financial queries, and learn financial processes, ensuring work compliance with regulations. This position emphasizes training and career development in finance.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of finance systems such as Agresso.
• Experience of working in a finance-related role within the NHS or similar.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex financial information.

Responsibilities

• Support the finance team in providing effective financial services.
• Investigate financial queries from staff and customers.
• Maintain compliance with financial regulations and Trust policies.

Skills

Knowledge of finance processes

Good analytical skills

Communication skills

Experience with Microsoft Office

Education

GCSE Grade C/4 or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths

Commitment to undertake Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship

BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills

Tools

Agresso Accounting System

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Are you looking to begin a rewarding career while gaining a nationally recognised qualification?

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Band 3 Apprentice Finance Assistant to join our supportive and friendly Finance team.

This job description describes the role that an apprentice will be working towards during the training period.

Supervision and support (direct and indirect) will be provided or available to you during all tasks, with progression being dependant on the completion of set objectives. This will enable the apprentice to work within the organisation to gain confidence, experience and build a portfolio of evidence for apprenticeship accreditation.

You will support the finance team in providing a reliable and effective financial support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust across a range of finance functions. The role will involve ensuring that financial information is processed accurately and within agreed financial timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

You will need to investigate enquiries and queries from suppliers/staff and customers and provide advice and assistance as required.

You will gain hands‑on experience within a busy NHS finance environment while developing valuable skills, knowledge and confidence through structured training and regular supervision.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to Job Description for further detail.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Discuss queries with staff, suppliers and customers where there may be issues regarding non‑payment, incorrect or late payments or other related matters. Communicate financial regulations and NHS rules in a simplified and understandable way to non‑finance staff.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Investigate financial queries and analyse detailed financial data to identify errors, discrepancies or omissions, escalating issues where appropriate.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Plan and manage own workload effectively to ensure weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial timetables and deadlines are met.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

• Propose improvements to working practices and procedures and implement procedures and processes set by others in line with Trust requirements.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• Responsible for using and maintaining finance systems, processes and procedures relevant to assigned finance functions, in accordance with Trust policies.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Undertake all required apprenticeship training and actively participate in regular supervision and reviews.

Freedom to Act

• Work within established Trust policies, procedures and financial regulations at all times.

Finance Officer roles across the finance department

• Finance Officer Accounts Payable – To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the accounts payable function. Preparing the payment run and processing it through the Accounting system.

• Finance Officer Cashier – To support the Cash Manager and Assistant Cash Manager in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the Cash & Banking functions. Investigate enquiries and queries from banks, suppliers, staff and customers (including patients) and provide advice and assistance as required. Responsible for co‑ordinating petty cash and purchase cards for Trust staff members.

• Finance Officer Accounts Receivable – To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of Income and the Credit Control function.

• Finance Officer Financial Accounts – To provide assistance to the Assistant Financial Accountants, Financial Accountants, Senior Financial Accountants, and in providing a reliable and effective Financial Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

• Finance Officer Management Accounts – To provide assistance to the Senior Management Accountants, Management Accountants and Assistant Management Accountants in providing a reliable and effective Management Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

• Finance Officer – Procurement and Contracts – To provide assistance to the procurement and contracts management functions in providing a reliable and effective procurement and contract support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

• Finance Officer Systems – To provide assistance to the Management Accountant and Assistant Accountant in delivering system developments to improve effectiveness and efficacies across the finance team and wider Trust, in addition to managing the day to day maintenance of Devon Partnership Trusts finance systems. During the recruitment and selection process, from the above list, the available finance officer role being advertised will be clearly set out. The Assistant Director of Finance, in conjunction with the Senior Accountants, reserve the right to change the role to another finance officer role listed above due to resource pressures or any other reason deemed appropriate.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge of finance processes and procedures in a similar area.
• Good working knowledge of Agresso Accounting System or other finance systems.

Experience

• Experience of working in a similar area within either the NHS or the private sector.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 or Functional Skills at Level 2 in English and Maths.
• Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship within the contract of employment.
• BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced) (ITQ).
• ICDL (previously ECDL) Level 1 & 2 Awards and Certificates or equivalent.

Other

• Applicants are required to meet the college apprenticeship entry requirements.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Working knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiar with Agresso and its functionality.
• Good analytical skills.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Able to communicate internally with various levels of management and externally with statutory organisations.
• Ability to communicate with partner organisations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and suppliers, with regards to complex issues.