Higher Apprenticeship Programme 2025 - Virtual Finance

Mercer & Hole; Rickmansworth; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join an innovative firm as a Virtual Finance apprentice, where you will gain hands-on experience in bookkeeping and financial reporting. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to work closely with a diverse team while studying for the AAT qualification. You'll be responsible for essential tasks such as preparing VAT returns and month-end accounts, all while being supported by a dedicated training manager and a buddy system. With a commitment to your growth, this program ensures you develop the skills needed for a successful career in finance, paving the way for future qualifications like ACCA or ACA.

Benefits

Dedicated Training Manager

Study Leave

Trainee Away Days

Buddy System

Qualifications

• Learn bookkeeping fundamentals and VAT preparation.
• Prepare month-end reporting packs and client commentaries.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, record, and process data within financial systems.
• Complete monthly management accounts and submit VAT returns.

Skills

Bookkeeping

VAT Knowledge

Data Processing

Financial Reporting

Software Solutions

Education

AAT Qualification

Tools

Accounting Software

Job description

Why choose our Virtual Finance Higher Apprenticeship Programme?

An Outsourcing apprenticeship within our Virtual Finance team offers a varied and exciting career. Virtual Finance is where companies hire third parties – such as Mercer & Hole – to perform tasks or handle operations like payroll, VAT returns, bookkeeping, and management reporting. You will play a key role in our Virtual Finance team, responsible from the start for preparing, recording, and processing data within our financial systems, completing monthly management accounts, and submitting VAT returns. This experience will help you grow into a future leader and start a stable, lucrative career with fast progression and rewarding work.

We pride ourselves on learning and development for our trainees, with structures in place to support your journey, such as trainee away days, a dedicated training manager, a buddy system, and study leave. Development continues beyond qualification through our ‘People Passport,’ ensuring a great investment in your future!

What will I be doing as a Virtual Finance apprentice?

Our higher apprenticeship is designed to support your learning and development. You will work within the outsourcing team while studying for the AAT qualification. The variety of clients provides a well-rounded experience, and our team structure allows exposure to senior managers and partners during your training and beyond.

Structure of our Virtual Finance Higher Apprenticeship Programme

Year 1

• Learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping, including posting purchase and sales invoices and bank transactions.
• Use software solutions to streamline processes.
• Learn VAT fundamentals and take responsibility for preparing and submitting smaller VAT returns.

Year 2

• Handle more complex tasks such as calculating and posting month-end journals (depreciation, accruals, prepayments).
• Prepare month-end reporting packs and supporting client commentaries.

After completing your AAT qualification, you can progress to studying ACCA or ACA to become a certified or chartered accountant.

If you're interested, apply now!

Our Values

Together: The firm with a family feel. Express gratitude, smile, be humble and confident, and have fun.

Resilient: Embrace change, stay open-minded, agile, and maintain a positive outlook.

Understanding: Every individual matters. Honesty, integrity, empathy, and kindness are fundamental.

Supportive: We support what matters to you and encourage potential through kindness and support.

Thrive!: Strive for excellence, innovate, and deliver exceptional work.

Mercer & Hole is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Our people are our most valuable asset, bringing diverse experiences, knowledge, creativity, and talents to create a unique, thriving workplace.