Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027 - Milton Keynes

Howden; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Fully funded qualifications

25 days annual leave

Employee benefits

Job summary

Howden is recruiting for a Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship in Milton Keynes. You will join a permanent role from day one while completing an 18-month development programme designed to build technical knowledge, professional skills and confidence for your career in finance operations.

Throughout the programme you’ll learn to manage expenses, check claims against rules, and assist with supplier payments. The role offers structure, progression, and exposure to a global insurance business.

Qualifications

• Confident working with numbers
• Organised and comfortable following clear processes
• Detail oriented and able to complete tasks accurately
• Able to manage different tasks and meet deadlines
• Articulate ideas clearly in writing and speech

Responsibilities

• Learn how employee expenses are managed and review submissions in our expense system.
• Check expense claims against company rules for accuracy and cost alignment.
• Support management of corporate credit card costs and ensure proper approvals.
• Review supplier invoices and help prepare for payment.
• Assist with setting up new suppliers including due diligence checks.

Skills

Numerical skills

Organised

Attention to detail

Deadline-oriented

Clear communicator

Education

Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship

GCSE English (C/4)

GCSE Maths (B/5)

Job description

Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one apprenticeship programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in them not being considered.

Location: Milton Keynes

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

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.

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.

Want to know what life at Howden is really like?

Visit our Early Careers hub to explore our culture, learn more about the insurance industry, and get practical tips to help you prepare for our recruitment process. It's also a great way to work out which career path suits you best.

You can also follow our TikTok accounts, @earlycareersjo and @millieinsurancecareers, for behind-the-scenes insights into life at Howden, career advice, and application tips from our Early Careers team.