Apprentice Trainee Accountant

North West Leicestershire District Council

Leicestershire (LE67 0FW)

Closes in 15 days (Sunday 1 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Summary

An exciting career development opportunity has arisen to join our Finance team, supporting a multimillion-pound organisation that delivers vital services to over 97,000 residents and more than 4,000 businesses across North West Leicestershire. 

• Wage:

  £25,583 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary paid on the 25th day of each month . Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme with at least 22% employer’s contribution. Employee benefits programme’ including payback on medical, dental and optical expenses

• Training course: Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
• Hours: The working pattern for this job is Fixed. Monday - 7.25 hours. Tuesday - 7.25 hours. Wednesday - 7.25 hours. Thursday - 7.25 hours. Friday - 7.25 hours. The work may involve evening and weekend working. Exact times to be confirmed.

  36 hours 15 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 1 April 2026

• 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

• Undertaking professional development leading to attainment of the AAT Association of Accounting Technicians Levels 2 to 4.
• Undertaking and completing the full training programme with due diligence and commitment.
• Applying the technical knowledge gained from studies and on-the-job experience and ensure knowledge is up-to-date.
• Supporting Finance team duties including data analysis, assisting with research, data input and processing financial information as required.
• Assisting with queries from budget holders across the authority under the guidance of Senior Finance Officers.
• Assisting with the preparation of budget monitoring reports, statistical returns, and contribution to the development of the annual budget.
• Support end‑of‑year close‑down activities and other financial cycles under the guidance of Senior Finance Officers.
• To create and develop spreadsheets as directed and to make suggestions about where improvements to current spreadsheets can be made to improve processes.
• To work on hoc projects as assigned by Senior Finance Officers.
• Delivering work efficiently, accurately, and to required deadlines, maintaining a methodical approach and high attention to detail.

General responsibilities:

• Customer Service.
• To always see the service through the eyes of the customer and make suggestions for improvement where appropriate
• To constantly challenge self-performance and seek to find improvements
• To carry out duties efficiently and effectively
• To help build pride, passion and reputation for NWLDC
• To participate in the Council’s appraisal scheme and to undertake any necessary training and development as identified for the job role
• To promote the Council's Equality and Diversity Policy to ensure service provision and employment practices are non-discriminatory
• To undertake any other reasonable tasks appropriate to the grading of the post and as required by the Team Manager
• To assist in the event of a civil emergency in any way as instructed

Where you'll work

North West Leicestershire District Council
PO Box 11051
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 0FW

Training

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

Training provider

ACCOUNTANCY LEARNING LTD

Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Record transactional data.
• Use the organisation’s standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues such as, reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
• Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
• Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
• Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
• Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
• Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
• Record transactional data.
• Use the organisation’s standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues such as, reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
• Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
• Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
• Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
• Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
• Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.

Training schedule

You will undertake the “Accounts / Finance Assistant” Apprenticeship (an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Accounting), with full support from Accountancy Learning as part of their Flexible Apprenticeship Programme.

Assessment will be via an “End Point Assessment”, which will include the following two elements:

A Structured Interview. This will consist of 10 questions asked by an AAT Independent Assessor. It will last 60 minutes and will be performed remotely via the AAT online video portal. The questions will allow you to display the knowledge and experience you have obtained over your apprenticeship. You will build a portfolio of reflections and product evidence that will be used to support your answers to these 10 questions.

An In-tray Test. This will be undertaken under exam conditions and will last 105 minutes. It will be based on what you have studied in your AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting.

Successful completion of the AAT (Level 2) Foundation Certificate in Accounting is a mandatory element of the Accounts / Finance Assistant Apprenticeship. Your Apprenticeship will therefore include formal studies towards this qualification. It is anticipated that your apprenticeship duration will be for 15 months, although earlier completion is possible, provided the duration exceeds one year and a week.

You will receive support from both the employer and the training provider, to complete and achieve your Apprenticeship and will be given time to study during the week on a day release basis. As you are working towards a professional qualification, it is also expected that you will continue your studies outside of normal office hours.

As you learn more in both the office and in your studies your responsibilities, and the variety of tasks you undertake, are expected to increase.

More training information

Job requirements

In order to be successful in this job, you will need to be able to meet the following requirements. At the interview, the panel will be looking for evidence that you meet the following criteria:

• A willingness to develop knowledge through AAT study.
• Able to analyse and review data.
• Input financial data and work with high volumes of financial information.
• Effective IT skills including MS Office or equivalent and Excel skills.
• Ideally, have some awareness of the role of Local Government and the communities within which it operates.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, able to provide accurate and relevant information to colleagues and customers.
• Able to quickly build and maintain rapport with others and maintain positive working relationships
• Willing to learn and take constructive feedback, showing motivation and commitment to personal development and training (including AAT qualification).
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team, including when working from home with minimal supervision.
• Effective customer care skills to work with a range of customers and consistently deliver excellent customer service.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 (A-C))
• Maths (grade 9-4(A-C))

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
• Attention to detail

Other requirements

This job description describes the general duties of the job and does not rule out other duties which are necessary for the efficient service delivery of the council and team in serving its communities and meeting its objectives.

In the role of Apprentice Trainee Accountant, it is essential that you can answer yes to the following criteria:

• Are you eligible to work in the UK?
• Do you hold GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above?
• Are you willing to undertake and successfully complete the AAT Levels 2 to 4 qualification as part of this apprenticeship?
• Are you competent in using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel (or equivalent)?
• Do you have experience working in an office environment (minimum 6 months)?

In consultation with you, it may be varied by the council to reflect actual, contemplated or proposed changes in or to your job.

Your manager will commit to providing relevant, identified support and training in return for your commitment and dedication to the job role.

About this employer

Values

At North West Leicestershire District Council we have developed a set of values that run through the work we do. We think these values are so important that we like to include them as part of the shortlisting process. On the application form you will have the opportunity to answer a question based on our values, giving examples of how you will follow them in your work. People selected for interview will be asked a values based question

 

Trust - As an organisation we want to be open, fair and transparent, and to be trusted that we will deliver our promises. Please give examples of how you have delivered what has been requested.

 

Respect - Our community is made up of many different people with different needs, all of them important. Please give examples of how you will respect and value customers and colleagues, taking into account their individual needs.

 

Excellence - North West Leicestershire District Council wants to lead the way and be the best we can for our community. Please give examples of how you make sure your work is of high quality.

 

Pride - The council is working to make North West Leicestershire a happy, healthy and vibrant place to work and live. Please give examples of what you do in your work to show pride in your workplace and community.

 

Growth - Life in North West Leicestershire District Council is not about standing still. We aim to work together to grow and to continually improve. Tell us about what you have done to help you do your job better and bring more quality to your work.

Company benefits

Hybrid working.

Where possible, staff will work from home and in the offices. If your job allows this, you will be provided with the necessary equipment (laptop etc.).

After this apprenticeship

Temporary Contract. This is a temporary apprenticeship contract ending after 24 months from your start date.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACCOUNTANCY LEARNING LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014148.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Sunday 1 March 2026 at 11:59pm)