Finance Apprentice

The Open University UK; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

AAT apprenticeship training

Career progression to Level 4

Job summary

The Open University UK is offering a Level 3 AAT Apprenticeship in finance, with progression to Level 4 upon successful completion and performance. You will gain practical experience across accounts payable, management accounting and reporting within a supportive finance team.

The role combines structured training with on-the-job learning, offering exposure to SAP Ariba and real-world financial processes, while developing essential professional skills for a long-term career in finance and

Qualifications

• Enrolled on Level 3 AAT Apprenticeship with progression to Level 4.
• GCSEs at grade C/4+ (English & Maths) or equivalent.
• Good numerical skills and Excel proficiency.
• Willingness to learn and develop professional accounting skills.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and efficiently.
• Create and manage Service Entry Sheets in SAP Ariba.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Support preparation of financial reports and supporting documentation.
• Ensure GDPR and data protection compliance in financial processes.

Skills

GCSEs incl English & Maths

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Excel

Education

Level 3 AAT Apprenticeship

Tools

SAP Ariba

Job description

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not Applicable

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education, combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity to develop a career in finance while working towards a nationally recognised AAT qualification. This role is offered as a Level 3 AAT Apprenticeship, with an expectation that the successful candidates will progress to a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, subject to successful completion of the Level 3 programme and satisfactory performance in role.

The successful candidates will gain practical experience across a range of financial operations, management accounting and reporting activities, developing valuable knowledge of financial systems, accounting processes, financial controls, VAT and business operations.

Working within the Finance team, you will support the delivery of accurate, efficient and compliant financial services while developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a successful career in finance and accounting. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will receive structured training, mentoring and development opportunities to build both your technical accounting expertise and wider professional skills, creating a strong foundation for progression to Level 4 and a long-term career within the finance profession.

What You'll Gain

• Practical experience within a professional finance environment.
• Exposure to accounts payable, financial operations, management accounting and reporting activities.
• Support and training to achieve an AAT qualification.
• Experience using industry-standard financial systems, including SAP Ariba.
• Development of technical, professional and transferable skills.
• Opportunities to build a long-term career within finance and accounting.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of financial and operational processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and efficiently, ensuring they are authorised and available for payment within agreed timescales.
• Create and manage Service Entry Sheets within SAP Ariba.
• Investigate and resolve supplier invoice queries, liaising with internal departments and external suppliers as required.
• Maintain supplier records, including processing amendments in accordance with internal controls.
• Perform supplier statement reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Support the preparation and processing of supplier payments.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and financial planning activities.
• Support management accounting activities through journal processing, reconciliations, expenditure monitoring and variance analysis.
• Assist with the preparation of financial reports, schedules and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate financial and workforce data, ensuring systems are updated appropriately.
• Produce reports and analysis to support business decision-making and identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Apply VAT rules and financial regulations appropriately when processing transactions.li>
• Respond to stakeholder enquiries professionally and resolve routine issues in a timely manner.
• Build effective working relationships across Finance and wider business areas.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, controls and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, data protection requirements and information security standards.
• Successfully complete the relevant apprenticeship programme and apply learning within the workplace.

About You

The successful candidates will be motivated and eager to learn. They will demonstrate a positive attitude, strong attention to detail, and a willingness to develop both professionally and academically. They will be committed to delivering high-quality work, supporting colleagues and stakeholders, and building a strong foundation for a future career.

• 5 GCSEs Grade C (Grade 4) or above, including English and Mathematics.
• Good numerical skills and confidence working with numbers.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate work.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage tasks effectively.
• IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Ability to learn new systems, processes and technologies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a customer-focused approach.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• A positive and proactive approach to learning, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this opportunity, you must;

• Meet the essential criteria listed above.
• Be 16 years of age or older.
• Not be in full-time education, i.e. school, college or university, that you are planning to continue.
• Not hold a prior qualification at the same or higher level in a subject similar to the apprenticeship.
• Hold the right to live and work in England.
• Spend at least 50% of your working hours in England.
• You must not be undertaking another apprenticeship or be in receipt of any other government learning funding during the apprenticeship programme.

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email [e-mail] quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be three times per week.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

You may be required to complete a selection of aptitude tests, in-tray/Excel tests and an on-site interview.

Candidates progressing to interview will also be invited to attend a BPP information session.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close early if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

Looking for Associate Lecturer (AL) roles?

Please use our AL home page to find AL vacancies.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.