Business Administration & Finance Apprentice

Hollingworth Academy Trust

Greater Manchester (OL16 3DR)

Closes on Sunday 15 February 2026

Posted on 12 January 2026

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Summary

Hollingworth Academy is seeking a motivated and organised Business Administration & Finance Apprentice to support the school’s finance and administrative functions. This role is ideal for someone looking to develop a career in business administration with a finance focus within an education setting.

Wage

£14,133.60 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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£7.55 per hour

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
5 days per week (inclusive of 1 day at college). Employed for 36.25 hours per week 8am-3:45pm.

36 hours a week

Start date

Monday 16 February 2026

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

As a Business Administration & Finance Apprentice, you will support the Finance Officer and wider administrative team with day-to-day financial processing and general office duties. You will gain experience using a computerised accounting system and develop strong organisational and customer service skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Finance & Accounting Support

  • Carrying out day-to-day financial processes in line with the Trust Finance Policy using the Arbor accounting system
  • Generating purchase orders and processing purchase invoices
  • Generating sales invoices and processing journals
  • Preparing the weekly BACS payment run
  • Supporting the Finance Officer with additional finance tasks as required

Reconciliations & Reporting

  • Completing reconciliations, including credit card, supplier statement and budget holder reconciliations
  • Supporting budget holders with day-to-day finance queries
  • Preparing financial reports from the accounting system as required

Customer & Stakeholder Support

  • Supporting parents with Arbor-related queries
  • Dealing with enquiries relating to invoices and orders
  • Ensuring invoices are processed promptly and paperwork is returned by budget holders
  • Administering debtor invoices and managing payments for external lettings

Trips, Visits & Lettings Administration

  • Assisting with the administration of school trips and visits
  • Supporting trip leaders and liaising with external agencies (e.g. travel companies)
  • Producing reports for trips from computerised systems
  • Monitoring the finance@, parentpayments@ and lettings@ email accounts

General Administration

  • General departmental administration and filing
  • Scanning and uploading financial invoices, remittances and supplier statements
  • Maintaining accurate records and supporting the smooth running of the finance office

Where you'll work

Cornfield Street
Milnrow
Rochdale
Greater Manchester
OL16 3DR

Training

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

Training provider

ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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 present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and 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 of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates 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 themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice 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 practice, 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.

Training schedule

  • Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • Off-the-job training and regular reviews delivered by Rochdale Training
  • Workplace mentoring from the school’s finance and administration team

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade Grade 4/C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Reliable and professional

Other requirements

  • The role involves working in a busy school environment.
  • You will be required to maintain confidentiality at all times.
  • A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check will be required prior to starting.

This is the first stage of your application process. Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited in for a screening interview at Rochdale Training. You will be sent a link to book onto one of our screening sessions. If you have not heard from Rochdale Training within 3 working days of submitting your application, please reach out to the named contact on this vacancy.

About this employer

Hollingworth Academy is a successful and inclusive secondary school serving the Milnrow and wider Rochdale community. The academy is committed to delivering high-quality education supported by strong operational, administrative and financial systems. This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a busy school finance and administration team. The successful candidate will develop strong business administration and finance skills while working towards a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities for:

  • A permanent role within school administration or finance
  • Progression into finance, payroll or business support roles
  • Further qualifications within business or finance

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000008166.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 15 February 2026