School Finance Apprentice

Cheshire College - South & West; Crewe; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Business Administrator Apprentice to join their internal team. In this role, you will engage with customers, manage purchasing orders, and ensure accurate processing of invoices. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while studying towards a Level 3 qualification. You'll develop vital skills in communication, IT, and teamwork, all within a supportive environment. As you progress, you will contribute to the planning of educational trips and enhance your professional capabilities. If you're eager to learn and grow in a dynamic setting, this opportunity could be the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE level 5 in Maths and English required.
• IT competent to use back-office systems and MS Office package.

Responsibilities

• Respond to customer inquiries via phone, email, and in person.
• Create purchase orders and process invoices accurately.

Skills

Communication Skills

IT Competence

Attention to Detail

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

GCSE in English

GCSE in Maths

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Tools

MS Office

Access System

Job description

Closes in 14 days (Friday 25 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

As part of the Internal team, you will be responding to customer enquiries (including parents and staff) via telephone, email, and in person, requesting quotations when relevant, creating new purchasing orders, and processing invoices accurately, reviewing order progress to ensure successful completion and costing and planning of all educational trips.

Wage: £11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices.

What you’ll do at work

As part of the Quality function:

1. Review accuracy of supplier paperwork
2. Entering product information into our Access system
3. Informative communication to stakeholders

As part of the Operations function:

1. Match purchase orders to invoices.
2. Collate delivery packs and transmit to classrooms.
3. Create purchase orders and place orders with suppliers.
4. Create sales invoices using our Access system.
5. Update the school website in a timely, accurate manner.

Where you’ll work

Newcastle Street
Crewe
CW1 3LF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3), equal to A level.

Course contents

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports, and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and presents solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports, and is able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice from more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates the ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing, or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themselves to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best practices across the organisation, e.g., coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practices, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g., impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g., equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings, and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g., travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor, and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

The candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a full Standard in Business Administrator Level 3. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West. Relevant GCSEs in Maths and English are required. School Bursar and office admin colleague will train the successful applicant in school software packages and daily processes.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• English (grade C/4 or above)
• Maths (grade C/4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Other requirements

Minimum GCSE level 5 in maths and English (or equivalent). IT competent, to use our back-office systems and MS Office package. High degree of literacy, confident dealing with communication platforms. Positive communication skills and good telephone manner.

Personal Qualities

• Self-confident
• Resilient, to respond to varied nature of incoming enquiries
• Team-worker, to work successfully as part of a growing business
• Flexibility, to adapt to changing business priorities
• Attention to detail

About this company

Underwood West Academy is a happy, nurturing school where children enjoy coming to school and taking part in the wide range of exciting and stimulating learning activities we offer. Our text-based curriculum, centred around a love of reading, provides a broad, balanced, and ambitious learning experience for every child as they progress through school. We see every child as an individual learner and pride ourselves on fully meeting their needs and allowing them to fulfil their potentials.

After this apprenticeship

To secure a permanent role following the completion of training.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313986.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 25 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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