Finance Apprentice

About the job

Key information

24-month apprenticeship contract.

What will I be doing?

Are you looking to start your career in finance while gaining a recognised qualification? If so, then Somerset Council have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a finance apprentice.

As an apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience supporting a wide range of financial activities across the Council, including budget monitoring, strategic finance, and corporate accounting. You will do all of this while studying for a recognised professional AAT qualification, studying with Accountancy Learning.

We have 3 apprenticeship positions available to join our various finance teams. You will need to be motivated, reliable and eager to learn, as well as being comfortable working with numbers and data.

You will be part of a supportive and experienced finance team, helping you to develop core skills in financial administration, systems and public sector finance. As part of this programme, 1 day per week will be set aside for your study and off‑the‑job learning.

What you’ll do – key responsibilities

• Process key financial transactions, such as invoices, payments and journals.
• Assist with procurement processing activities and purchase orders.
• Support budget monitoring and financial reporting processes.
• Maintain accurate financial records using council systems.
• Complete reconciliations of the finance system data.
• Respond to internal and external finance queries.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or higher. Please ensure you include your GCSE’s on your application.

Personal skills and qualities

• Motivated, reliable and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working with numbers and data.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and able to work in a team environment.
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Takes responsibility for their own development.
• Professional conduct and attendance.
• Positive attitude toward working for Somerset Council.
• Works well with colleagues at all levels.
• Basic IT ability and comfortable working with Microsoft programmes e.g. Excel, Word.

Supporting documents and information

This is a fixed-term, 24-month apprenticeship contract. This is a full-time role working 37 hours a week, including one day committed to studying an AAT qualification.

25 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays).

Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Ben Bryant, Head of Corporate Finance via email at ben.bryant@somerset.gov.uk

Apply on the Somerset Council website