Finance Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship 2027 - Bolton

MBDA; Bolton; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded qualification starting 27

Travel expenses covered

Annual pay reviews

Healthcare Cash Plan

25 days annual leave

Study leave

Job summary

MBDA offers a structured Finance Apprenticeship combining Level 3 Assistant Accountant (AAT) and Level 4 Professional Accounting (AAT). You'll study with BPP, with on-site placements across multiple finance functions and a final year of full-time practical experience.

The program includes fully funded qualifications, travel expenses, and flexible study options, with BPSS security checks and UK citizenship requirements. Applications close Nov 20, 2026.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including English Language and Mathematics
• Basic understanding of Microsoft applications
• Willingness to undergo BPSS security checks

Responsibilities

• Complete Level 3 Assistant Accountant qualification (18 months)
• Then complete Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting (18 months)
• Undertake placements in at least two Finance functions, onsite 2–3 days/week
• Final 12 months working full-time to gain practical experience

Education

Level 3 Assistant Accountant (AAT Diploma)

Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting with AAT

Job description

Due to the need to attend your MBDA site and the training provider as required for your apprenticeship, applicants need to ensure their home or rental location is appropriate, travel arrangements are manageable and travel time is minimised as required for your role.

The qualification: You'll complete aLevel 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship where you'll gain an AAT Diploma in Accounting. Then you'll move on to complete a Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting with AAT (Association for Accounting Technicians), as part of a Professional Accounting Technician Level 4 Apprenticeship.

Security clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Friday 20th November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2027
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• Healthcare Cash Plan: provides support with everyday health related costs – including medical, dental, optical, physio and health & wellbeing.
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

Programme structure - your work at MBDA

• As part of the Apprenticeship, you will initially study for a Level 3 Assistant Accountant qualification (18 months).
• Following this you'll move on to complete a Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting with AAT (Association for Accounting Technicians), as part of a Professional Accounting Technician Level 4 Apprenticeship (a further 18 months).
• Your studies will be delivered by BPP, who offer the flexibility of either face to face learning in the classroom, or virtual lessons through live or recorded sessions (the level of flexibility is dependent on BPP locations.)
• Whilst completing your level 3 and 4 qualifications, you'll compliment your study by completing placements within at least two Finance functions, where you'll be onsite 2-3 days per week.
• The final 12 months of the scheme you will be working full time to gain practical experience and put your newly acquired knowledge into practice

Our vision in Finance is to operate as one coordinated team, which strives to deliver a consistent application of standard methodology, financial controls and processes. We look to challenge all areas of the business, improve shareholder value, protect the assets of MBDA and ensure we align with all national and shareholder requirements. Our Finance Apprentices will be given an insight into the various roles within Finance, to develop a well-rounded experience of the service the function provides to the wider business, and a strong foundation of the skills and behaviours that a business partner should be able to bring to the business in the future.

Potential placements could be available in the following areas:

• Accounting and Planning – preparation of company level financial plans and reports for senior management and other stakeholders
• Programmes Finance – working as a business partner within multi-functional teams, focused on contract delivery and execution
• Cost Control – control of functional budgets, including Information Management and Facilities, and recovery of the cost base through hourly rates
• Treasury – cash management and foreign currency hedging
• Bids and Contract Evaluation – support the creation of robust, profitable financial proposals to customers for our products and services

There is then potential to access further professional qualifications within Finance depending upon your performance over the course of the apprenticeship.

Whilst BPP deliver their learning virtually, completion of AAT exams will be onsite at one of their locations https://www.aat.org.uk/assessment-venues/search

What we’re looking for from you

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and expect to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSE’s:

• A minimum of 5 GCSE's at grades 9-4
• English Language
• Mathematics
• A Science or Technology subject
• Basic understanding of Microsoft applications is essential for this apprenticeship.

Please note: For this apprenticeship you will be required to complete and pass a basic 4-day pre assessment with BPP to make sure you are fully prepared to begin the AAT Level 3. This free, four-day, online classroom Bookkeeping for Level 3 course will take place in August, you'll be fully supported by a tutor, with an assessment at the end of the week.

Benefits & Rewards

• Annual Bonus: Every year we reward our dedicated employees with an annual bonus. Exact amounts and percentages will vary by job grade and on business performance. This can be discussed/explained further with a member of the Resourcing team during your application process. We are proud to say that we were able to award our annual bonus to employees even through tough economic times in recent years, when other employers were less fortunate.
• 25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase): Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.
• Dynamic Working: We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.
• Enhanced Parental Leave: We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave. Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.
• Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers: Discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre. Costco membership for permanent employees, Technology Vouchers, Charity Donations, MyCar Scheme and Holiday Purchase are available.
• Gyms & Social Clubs: Healthworks Gym Membership, discounted annual gym membership and The Club social activities are available.
• Pension & Finance: Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a Defined Contribution plan in the Mercer Master Trust. The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions. Financial Awareness, Share Incentive Plan, Mortgage Advice, Season Ticket Loan and Critical Illness support are available.
• Share Incentive Plan: The Share Incentive Plan is available for you to join and reinforces our commitment to long‑term share ownership amongst our employees.
• Free Financial Advice: Through selected partnerships, we offer a range of free seminars, held throughout the year, to help you make good financial decisions for now and the future.
• Extracurricular Learning Budget: You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.
• Health and Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Voluntary Private Medical Insurance, Funded Private Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan, and Healthcare and Leisure benefits are available.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Everyone at MBDA UK can access free, confidential advice on a range of financial, personal and workplace issues, available 24/7.

Information

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development. The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based. If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.

For further information, please view our Security & Vetting page.

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Application Process

1. Submit an application: Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you!

2. Online assessment - Part One: Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report.

3. Online assessment - Part Two: Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.

4. Assessment centre: Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance.

5. Offer: We’ll call you within a week of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.

Before continuing your application, please note that as a defence industry employer, restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work will apply.

If you do not meet the necessary requirements, any application you submit will be rejected.

We only recommend continuing your application if you are confident of your right to work for us.

Please refer to our Security & Vetting policy for further information.