Finance Assistant Apprentice

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB); Cambridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge is offering a Finance Assistant Apprentice role within the Finance team. You will gain hands-on experience in accounting, budgeting, financial administration and business systems while pursuing a Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship.

Working with experienced finance professionals, you’ll process invoices, assist with month-end activities, and help with reporting and supplier queries.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using IT packages, particularly Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.

Responsibilities

• Processing and monitoring purchase invoices using Oracle Fusion.
• Investigating and resolving invoice queries with colleagues, suppliers and UKSBS.
• Supporting payments and financial record keeping.
• Scanning, filing and maintaining financial documentation.
• Assisting with month-end finance activities, including journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Supporting budget preparation, forecasting and financial reporting activities.
• Monitoring utility and courier costs and ensuring timely payment of invoices.
• Providing administrative support to the wider Finance team.
• Assisting with the smooth day-to-day operation of the department.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Proficiency in Excel

Written and verbal communication

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above)

Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship

Tools

Excel

Oracle Fusion

Job description

Salary: £23,794 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)

Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 14 months

Hours: Full-time

Location: Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QH

Closing Date: 23:55 on Thursday, 17th September 2026

Interview: W/C 28th September 2026

Start Date: October 2026

Looking to start a career in finance while gaining professional accounting qualifications and hands‑on experience in a world‑leading research organisation?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Assistant Apprentice to join the Finance team at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge. This is a fantastic opportunity to build a career in finance and accounting while developing practical workplace experience and gaining nationally recognised qualifications through a Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship.

Working closely with experienced finance professionals, you’ll contribute to the day‑to‑day financial operations of the organisation while developing valuable skills in accounting, budgeting, financial administration and business systems.

About the Department

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the world's leading scientific research institutes, renowned for pioneering discoveries that have transformed our understanding of biology and medicine.

As part of the Finance team, you’ll support the effective management of financial processes that enable cutting‑edge research to take place. You’ll work alongside colleagues across the organisation and build relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and UK Shared Business Services (UKSBS).

What You'll Be Doing

As a Finance Assistant Apprentice, you’ll support a range of financial and administrative activities, including:

• Processing and monitoring purchase invoices using Oracle Fusion.
• Investigating and resolving invoice queries with colleagues, suppliers and UKSBS.
• Supporting payments and financial record keeping.
• Scanning, filing and maintaining financial documentation.
• Assisting with month‑end finance activities, including journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Supporting budget preparation, forecasting and financial reporting activities.
• Monitoring utility and courier costs and ensuring timely payment of invoices.
• Providing administrative support to the wider Finance team.
• Assisting with the smooth day‑to‑day operation of the department.

What You'll Learn

Alongside your role, you’ll undertake a Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship with First Intuition Cambridge.

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll work towards:

• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
• Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
• Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers Level 2 Certificate in Accounting and Business

You'll also gain hands‑on experience of:

• Accounting processes
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Data analysis and reporting
• Professional workplace communication
• Working within a finance function

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is organised, motivated and eager to develop a career in finance and accounting.

You'll need:

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using IT packages, particularly Excel
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Good organisational and problem‑solving skills
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills

To be eligible to be considered for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Have evidence of Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Have lived in the UK and/or EU for three consecutive years prior to the apprenticeship start date and have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship, including the End‑Point Assessment (EPA). Please check your eligibility here
• Be able to demonstrate that the apprenticeship will provide substantive new skills and knowledge and that you do not already hold an equivalent or higher‑level qualification in a related subject area.

We may share applicant details with the training provider as part of the apprenticeship eligibility assessment process.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.