Finance Apprentice

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council in Stevenage is seeking a Finance Apprentice to join the Capital and Treasury Team. You will gain hands-on experience, support day-to-day finance tasks, and work with large financial data to help ensure accurate reporting.

You’ll be sponsored to complete the Assistant Accountant Level 3 apprenticeship with potential to progress to Level 4, within a supportive public-sector finance environment that values accuracy and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
• Good communication, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work well in a team with strong numeracy and attention to detail.
• Interest in developing a career in finance.

Responsibilities

• Set up finance codes, process journals, and prepare reports.
• Handle large datasets and respond to queries across the organisation.
• Support monitoring of the capital programme and track project spending.
• Assist with year‑end accounting processes and audit records.

Skills

Excel

Communication

Teamwork

Numeracy

Attention to detail

Interest in finance

Education

5 GCSEs A*-C

Level 2 English & Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Introduction

Job Title: Finance Apprentice

Starting Salary: £26,016 progressing to £27,274 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours:37

Location: Stevenage

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Resources

About The Team

We are looking for a Finance Apprentice to join our Capital and Treasury Team.

The team plays an important role in supporting services across Hertfordshire with projects that improve local communities, such as investing in buildings, infrastructure, and other long-term assets. We provide financial advice and support to help ensure these projects are planned and managed effectively.

The team also manages the council's day‑to‑day cashflow, investments, and borrowing, helping to ensure public money is managed responsibly and delivers the best value for residents.

This is an excellent opportunity to start a career in finance within a supportive and experienced team. You'll gain valuable workplace experience, develop practical skills, and receive support to build a successful career, with a range of progression opportunities available across the wider finance department.

About The Role

As a Finance Apprentice in the Capital and Treasury Team, you will work alongside experienced finance professionals and gain hands‑on experience in a wide range of financial activities.

You will help support the team's day‑to‑day work by carrying out administrative and finance tasks such as setting up finance codes, processing journals, preparing reports, working with large amounts of financial data, and responding to queries from colleagues across the organisation.

You’ll also have the opportunity to support the monitoring of the council's capital programme, helping to track project spending and compare actual costs against budgets. As your confidence and knowledge develop, you’ll learn how finance teams use forecasts and financial information to support effective decision‑making.

A key part of the role will involve supporting the team's year‑end accounting processes. This includes helping to prepare financial working papers, gathering information to support the council's accounts, and ensuring accurate records are maintained for audit purposes.

This is a varied role that will give you exposure to many different aspects of local government finance. You’ll receive support and training throughout your apprenticeship, helping you develop valuable professional skills while contributing to the delivery of a high‑quality finance service for Hertfordshire residents.

As part of the role, we will offer sponsorship to complete the Assistant Accountant Level 3 apprenticeship, with potential to progress to the level 4 qualification.

About You

Essential (all)

• Experience in using Microsoft Office applications particularly Excel
• Good communication skills, both verbally and written
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Excellent numeracy skills plus strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Interest in developing a career in finance
• Good organisational and time management skills

Desirable

• Experience of working in a finance or administrative environment
• 5 GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent

Apprenticeship requirements

• Level 2 (Functional Skills) English and Maths (GCSE A*-C/9-4 or equivalent). In line with apprenticeship requirements, applicants who have a Level 3 or higher qualification in a finance area, will not be eligible to apply.
• Must have been a UK resident for at least 3 years.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 5. Please locate the job profile here: Job profiles - Corporate services.

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Matthew Lloyd - 01992 531937 for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 21/09/2026

Additional Information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly‑created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident

We are proud to be aDisability Confident employerand guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.