Finance Apprentice

Summary

Are you eager to start your career in Finance and Accounting? Join our friendly and supportive team at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute as a Finance Apprentice. We are a department of the University of Cambridge and a world-leading cancer research institute.

Wage

£19,781 a year

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Training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, full time. One classroom study day, two office days (Tuesdays compulsory) and two days working from home. Shifts to be confirmed.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

You will be part of our departmental finance team of eight, working closely with a supportive group of four finance assistants.

This role is perfect for someone looking to gain valuable experience in finance while receiving comprehensive training and support. With our dedicated team, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills, learn from experienced professionals, and make a real impact.

As a Finance Apprentice you'll provide professional financial support to the Institute’s research groups, scientific core facilities, and administrative teams

Key responsibilities:

Prepare and distribute monthly budget reports to University departments that have transferred funds for the use of CI Core Facilities. Proactively identify and advise on potential budgetary issues
Respond to requests to set up users, groups and grants on our core facility booking portal. Ensuring the correct approvals are in place and that the appropriate rate of cost recovery has been applied, as determined by the funding source
Provide ad hoc support and troubleshooting for internal and external users of the online core facility booking system
Monitor the progress of orders and resolve queries related to purchase orders and deliveries
Liaise with suppliers to address issues such as returns, discrepancies, and delivery anomalies
Review open purchase orders and take appropriate actions to close or cancel them
Reconcile supplier statements to ensure timely invoice payments, request copies of missing invoices, and communicate disputes when necessary
Monitor outstanding customer payments by reviewing the bad debt statement and issuing payment reminders for overdue invoices
Perform additional duties as required by the Finance Managers, in line with the level and responsibilities of the post

Where you'll work

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
Li Ka Shing Centre
Robinson Way
Cambridge
CB2 0RE

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 CAMBRIDGE LIMITED

Your training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

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

You will receive 1 on 1 training with members of the finance team, online training and comprehensive written notes

More training information

The applicant will train under First Intuition Cambridge for their level 3 Assistant Accountant qualification
They will be expected to attend regular in-centre tuition courses throughout a 12 - 14-month period which will help develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours in accountancy-related practices
First Intuition Cambridge Ltd has Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough and Milton Keynes centres

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 4/C)

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
Attention to detail
Number skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Skill in Microsoft Office
Time management

About this company

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI) is a department of the University of Cambridge within the School of Clinical Medicine. CRUK CI, housed in the Li Ka Shing Centre, focuses on tackling questions relating to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention, supported by world-class core scientific facilities. Our aim is to be a focus for the practical application of high-quality basic research, forming a bridge between the world-class science of the University of Cambridge and its environment, and Addenbrooke's Hospital. The Institute is located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, to the south of Cambridge, close to Addenbrooke's Hospital, the University of Cambridge teaching hospital, and many of our collaborating institutes, including the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology, the MRC Cancer Unit and the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research.

https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Potential to progress into a long-term Finance Assistant Role

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