Accounting Apprentice

Summary

As an Accounting Apprentice, you will support colleagues with providing high-quality accountancy and internal auditing services to a portfolio of school and academy clients. We will support you through an appropriate study package.

Wage

£21,000 a year

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£21,000-£26,000

Training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (one day finishing at 4:30pm).

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Assisting with core accounting functions including ordering, invoicing, bank reconciliations, balance sheet management, VAT returns and journal entries
Contributing to the preparation, monitoring and reporting of client budgets
Helping to prepare statutory financial returns
Assisting in producing of detailed management accounts
Supporting the year-end account closure process, including finalising trial balance reports and preparing schedules for auditors
Supporting internal audit preparation and assisting in audit fieldwork
Offering advice and guidance to clients via telephone and email through the Helpdesk
Assisting with general administrative duties to support the whole SBM Services team to meet deadlines, as directed by the Hub Manager
Working towards your AAT Qualifications, leading to Level 3 as part of your professional development, showing your commitment to enhancing your accounting skills

Where you'll work

UNIT 12
PARK LANE BUSINESS CENTRE
PARK LANE
LANGHAM
CO4 5WR

Training

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

College or training organisation

FIRST INTUITION CHELMSFORD LIMITED

Your training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

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What you'll learn

Course contents

Assist with the investigation and response to financial information queries.
Record and analyse financial data using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
Apply double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards to process financial documents, generate financial statements and report financial information to users of accounts.
Assist with production of accurate financial information for the preparation of accounts.
Reconcile financial data, such as, preparation of reconciliations or review of reconciliations.
Investigate, resolve or escalate transactional queries and errors within their remit as appropriate.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
Communicate financial information in a way that non-finance stakeholders can interpret and understand.
Utilise digital skills to present key financial information using finance and accounting software and applications.
Use software packages to assist with basic accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
Communicate using varying approaches and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
Assist with the investigation and response to financial information queries.
Record and analyse financial data using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
Apply double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards to process financial documents, generate financial statements and report financial information to users of accounts.
Assist with production of accurate financial information for the preparation of accounts.
Reconcile financial data, such as, preparation of reconciliations or review of reconciliations.
Investigate, resolve or escalate transactional queries and errors within their remit as appropriate.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
Communicate financial information in a way that non-finance stakeholders can interpret and understand.
Utilise digital skills to present key financial information using finance and accounting software and applications.
Use software packages to assist with basic accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
Communicate using varying approaches and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.

Your training plan

The successful candidate will be required to attend weekday courses, once a week, at First Intuition to study towards their AAT Level 3 qualification as well as mentoring towards the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship knowledge, skills, and behaviours.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade C/4 or above)

A Level in:

Any 3 subjects (grade C 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

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Interpersonal skills

Other requirements

There is a three-month probationary period from your start date. The post holder must undertake an enhanced disclosure under the Disclosure and Barring Service. Our office is located just outside Colchester in Essex; however, work will also be conducted on client premises.

About this company

SBM Services provides schools and academies with high-quality, affordable accountancy and business support. Our team brings extensive experience, a range of accountancy and business management qualifications and an excellent reputation in the education sector. With a flexible portfolio of services, we ensure schools receive the right support at the right time. SBM Services is truly an investment to save.

https://www.sbmservices.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Our goal is to help you progress within our team. We’ll support you to move out of the apprenticeship programme, manage your own clients, and have a chance to earn between £26,000 and £40,000 per year.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FIRST INTUITION CHELMSFORD LIMITED

Amy Sawyer

amysawyer@fi.co.uk

01245 209900

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000321426.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Friday 6 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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