Virtual Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027 - St Albans

Mercer & Hole; St Albans; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercer & Hole's Virtual Finance Higher Apprenticeship Programme offers a structured route into finance, with you preparing, recording and processing data within financial systems and assisting with monthly management accounts.

You will study AAT levels 3 and 4 while gaining hands-on experience with VAT returns, bookkeeping and client reporting. After qualification, there is potential to progress to ACCA and become a chartered accountant.

Qualifications

• Learn fundamental bookkeeping and VAT processes.
• Gain exposure to monthly management accounts and client reporting.
• Develop data processing and record-keeping skills within finance systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the Virtual Finance team with day-to-day tasks.
• Assist in preparing VAT returns and bookkeeping entries.
• Contribute to month-end processes and client reporting.

Skills

Bookkeeping basics

VAT basics

Data processing

Education

AAT Level 3/4

ACCA pathway

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Why choose our Virtual Finance Higher Apprenticeship Programme?

A Virtual Finance apprenticeship role offers a varied and exciting career. Virtual Finance involves companies outsourcing finance functions to third-party providers, such as Mercer and Hole. Finance functions include payroll, VAT returns, bookkeeping and management reporting. You will play a key part in our Virtual Finance team and, from the outset, will be responsible for preparing, recording and processing data within the financial systems, completing monthly management accounts and preparing and submitting VAT returns. This will enable you to grow into a future leader and start on a stable and lucrative career path with progression and rewarding work.

We are committed to supporting your learning and development throughout your career with us. As an apprentice , you will benefit from a structured programme that includes trainee away days, a dedicated training manager, a buddy and study leave. Our commitment continues beyond qualification: whether you are an apprentice or a director, our Learning Academy pathway provides an ongoing investment in your growth and future success.

What will I be doing as a Virtual Finance apprentice?

Our higher Apprenticeship Programme is designed to support your learning and development. You will work as part of the Virtual Finance team while studying the AAT level 3 and level 4 qualification. The variety of clients we work with provides you with a well-rounded experience, and the structure of our teams allows you the opportunity to gain knowledge from and exposure to senior managers and partners throughout your training and beyond.

Structure of our Virtual Finance Higher Apprenticeship Programme?

Year 1

In the first year you will start out by learning the fundamentals of bookkeeping, this includes:

• Posting purchase and sales invoices and bank transactions. You will use these skills over a variety of clients, making use of software solutions to help speed up and simplify processes
• You will also learn the fundamentals of VAT
• Take on responsibility for preparing and submitting some of our smaller returns

Year 2

As you progress, you will start to take on more complicated work. This will include:

• Calculating and posting month end journals (such a depreciation, accruals, and prepayments)
• Once journals are posted you will prepare the month end reporting packs and will assist with preparing a supporting commentary to go to the client
• You will also have opportunities to support junior apprentices with their queries and act as a buddy to new starters

Once you have completed your AAT qualification, you will have the opportunity to apply to move on to studying the ACCA to become a chartered accountant.

As part of our culture, we take the time to review each application individually to reflect our values.

Mercer & Hole is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Our people are our most valuable asset. We bring our life experiences, knowledge, creativity, and talents together at Mercer & Hole making it a unique place to work where all can safely thrive.