Apprentice Finance Assistant (Apprenticeship)

GetMyFirstJob Ltd; Dudley; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial service provider in Dudley is seeking an Accounts Payable (Purchase Ledger) professional to manage invoice processing and supplier accounts. The ideal candidate should have strong numerical skills and relevant qualifications including GCSEs and an AAT Level 2 certificate in Accounting. Opportunities for employment and career growth are available within the Trust.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths & English – Grade 4 and above.
• AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2).

Responsibilities

• Process invoices for goods and services across schools.
• Maintain the central finance system for supplier accounts.
• Proactively reconcile supplier statements to identify discrepancies.
• Assist with creditor balances and management reports.
• Daily processing of financial transactions.
• Help perform bank reconciliations.
• Assist with creating purchase orders for schools.
• Review GRNs and confirm receipt of goods.
• Manage completed purchase orders.
• Support email management within the Central Finance inbox.
• Support during audits by gathering necessary documentation.
• Operate within financial procedures and assist with reporting.

Skills

Strong numerical skills

Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)

Ability to develop positive relations

Ability to use initiative

Ability to work to deadlines

Strong organisational skills

Understanding of double-entry bookkeeping

Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Teams

Education

GCSE Maths & English – Grade 4 and above

AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Accounts Payable (Purchase Ledger)

Overview

Accounts Payable (Purchase Ledger) role focusing on invoice processing, supplier management, reconciliations, and supporting finance activities within the trust's schools.

Responsibilities

• Invoice Processing: Receive, verify, and process invoices for goods and services across the trust's schools, matching them against purchase orders and ensuring correct coding using the chart of accounts.
• Supplier Management: Maintain the central finance system by setting up new supplier accounts and updating existing supplier details to ensure accurate and current records.
• Statement Reconciliation: Proactively reconcile supplier statements against the finance system to identify and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Creditor Review: Assist with reviewing creditor balances regularly to ensure accuracy and support the preparation of management reports.
• General Financial Transactions: Daily processing of financial transactions including journal entries, credit card expenditure, staff expense claims, sales invoices, and bank receipts and payments.
• Bank Reconciliations: Help perform daily or monthly bank reconciliations to ensure the bank account accurately reflects the trust's financial records.
• Purchase Orders: Assist with creating purchase orders for schools, ensuring compliance with the trust's procurement policy and internal procedures.
• Goods Received Notes (GRN): Review GRNs and liaise with school staff to confirm goods and services have been received before invoices are processed for payment.
• Purchase Order Management: Contribute to closing completed purchase orders to keep the finance system up to date.
• Administrative Support: Email management within the Central Finance inbox, actioning or redirecting queries as needed; record keeping of financial documents to maintain an accurate and organised system.
• Audit Support: Support the Finance Officer and Head of Finance during internal and external audits by gathering and organising necessary documentation and information.
• Compliance and Reporting: Operate within the Trust's financial procedures, policies, and the Academies Trust Handbook; assist with regular financial reports and month-end/year-end close processes.

Training / Apprenticeship

Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Level 3. This level is ideal for existing staff or new talent in an accounting or finance role. The role may involve day-to-day financial activities such as data entry up to month-end management accounts and/or year-end financial statements. You will study the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and complete 5 units: Financial Accounting; Preparing Financial Statements (FAPS); Management Accounting Techniques (MATS); Tax Processes for Business (TPFB); Business Awareness (BUAW); and Advanced Synoptic Assessment (ADSY), which forms part of your End Point Assessment. An apprenticeship must be relevant to the job and requires time for off-the-job training and developing knowledge, skills, and behaviours associated with the apprenticeship.

Qualifications required

GCSE Maths & English – Grade 4 and above; AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2).

Skills required

• Strong numerical skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to develop positive, ongoing working relationships and work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to use initiative to problem solve and handle queries
• Ability to work to deadlines on time-sensitive tasks and manage conflicting priorities
• Strong organisational skills and high attention to detail
• Understanding of double-entry bookkeeping principles
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Teams

Prospects

There may be opportunities for redeployment throughout the Trust, and the Trust has a strategy for growth.

Qualification / Standard: ST0002 Assistant accountant
Duration: 15 months