Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027 - Milton Keynes

Howden Insurance (Ireland) Limited; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Fully funded qualifications

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Howden Insurance (Ireland) Limited is offering a Finance Apprenticeship Programme in Milton Keynes aimed at school leavers who want to build a career in accounting. The role includes a permanent start and an 18‑month development plan, with attendance at the office 3–4 days per week and a Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship.

You’ll join the Finance Operations team, gain real work experience, learn to process expenses, invoices and supplier payments, and develop technical knowledge plus

Qualifications

• Confident with numbers and a basic understanding of accounting processes.
• Organised and able to follow clear processes to meet deadlines.
• Detail oriented with high accuracy and attention to missing information.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and meet regular deadlines.
• Able to articulate ideas clearly in writing and speaking.
• Curious and open to feedback, with a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Attend a structured induction and join the Finance Operations team.
• Learn employee expenses and review submissions in the expense system.
• Check expense claims against company rules for accuracy and cost alignment.
• Support corporate card costs and ensure correct approvals.
• Review supplier invoices and help prepare payments.
• Assist with supplier setup and due‑diligence checks.
• Maintain clear expenses records and respond to employee queries.
• Identify missing information or errors and escalate to the Accounts Payable Manager.

Skills

Numbers

Organised

Detail oriented

Task management

Written and verbal communication

Curious and quick learner

Education

Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship

Job description

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027

Location: Milton Keynes

Start date: September 2027

Salary: £23,000

Duration: You'll join us in a permanent role from day one while completing an 18-month development programme.

Structure: You’re expected to work in the office at least 3-4 days per week and must live within a commutable distance

Qualification: Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship

Finance Apprenticeship Programme

Play a Key Role in How Money Moves Through a Business

Ready to earn, learn and launch your career? This is more than your first job. You’ll gain real experience, work towards a recognised qualification and build skills that will shape your future.

Our Finance Operations team helps keep Howden’s Retail business running smoothly. From checking employee expenses and managing corporate card costs to processing invoices and supporting supplier payments, the team makes sure money is handled accurately and payments are completed at the right time.

You’ll work with colleagues across the business, gaining a valuable understanding of how a finance function operates while building practical skills that you can use throughout your career.

You’ll join Howden on a permanent role and complete an 18-month development programme designed to develop your technical knowledge, professional skills and confidence to kick start your career.

What you’ll be doing?

You will begin with a structured induction before joining our Finance Operations team, where you will work alongside experienced colleagues and gradually take on more responsibility.

During the programme, you'll:

• Learn how employee expenses are managed and use our expense claim system to review submissions.
• Check expense claims against company rules, making sure information is accurate and costs are in line with expectations.
• Support the management of corporate credit card costs and check that the correct approvals are in place.
• Review invoices from suppliers and help prepare them for payment.
• Help set up new suppliers by completing due diligence checks, including confirming accurate bank and business details.
• Use your attention to detail to maintain clear and accurate expenses records and documentation.
• Respond to questions from employees and work with teams across the business, including colleagues responsible for payments.
• Spot missing information or mistakes and elevate any issues to the Accounts Payable Manager.

Who are we looking for?

No insurance experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

You’ll be:

• Confident working with numbers and interested in understanding how finance works.
• Organised and comfortable following clear processes.
• Detail oriented and able to complete your tasks with a high level of accuracy and actively spotting mistakes or missing information.
• Able to manage different tasks and meet regular deadlines.
• Able to articulate your ideas clearly, both in writing and verbally.
• Curious, willing to learn and open to feedback.

To be eligible for our apprenticeship, you must:

• Have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.
• Have lived permanently in the UK for the last 3 years.
• Have achieved a grade C/4 in GCSE English and B/5 in GCSE Maths.
• Not already hold a qualification that significantly overlaps with the content of this apprenticeship.

Why should you apply?

At Howden, people are at the heart of everything we do. As an employee-owned business, we believe success is built through collaboration, learning and supporting one another. You'll gain exposure to an exciting global industry, receive structured development throughout the summer and build relationships that could shape your future career.

You'll also benefit from:

• £23,000 and a generous pension scheme.
• Completing fully funded professional qualifications relevant for your role.
• Structured learning and development through our 18-month apprenticeship development programme.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Access to discounted personal health policies, wellbeing support and a range of employee benefits and insurance products.

#ECApprentice27 #RetailECA27

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent