Apprentice Finance Assistant

COLEBROOK SOUTH WEST LTD

Plymouth (PL6 8LR)

Closes in 23 days (Friday 3 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 March 2026


Summary

Colebrook is a charity that provides a range of support services to vulnerable adults within the community. We are looking to recruit an Apprentice Finance Assistant to provide dedicated financial support to Colebrook and to act as first point of contact to stakeholders and staff in finance related matters.

Training course
Assistant accountant (level 3)
Hours
11.00am– 5.00pm Monday- Thursday & 10.30am- 4.30pm on a Friday so a total of 30 hours.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 April 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

The main key tasks of the role are as follows:

  • Maintain Filing Systems
  • Data Entry
  • Answer the telephone and take messages as required
  • Undertake general office tasks e.g. photocopying, post in and out
    Arrange meetings (book room, lunch etc.)
  • To prepare paperwork/budgets for meetings and take / produce minutes as required

Finance tasks:

  • Input data into Excel as required
  • Record and input staff travel/expenses sheets as required
  • Code and input invoices onto Sage / Xero (Purchase Ledger)
    Record payment methods and file paid invoices
  • Input sales information onto Sage / Xero and produce invoices (Sales Ledger)
  • Generate reports as required
  • Reconcile petty cash accounts for the organisation
  • Monitor utilities use for the organisation
  • Deal with first level enquires for finance related matters
  • Assist Business and Finance Manager and Finance Senior during Audit process
  • Assist Business and Finance Manager and Finance Senior in the review or implementation of policies and / or procedures as required

Where you'll work

Unit 1 Endeavour House
Parkway Court Marsh Mills
Plymouth
PL6 8LR

Training

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

Training provider

FOCUS TRAINING (SW) LIMITED

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.

Training schedule

  • Assistant Accountant Standard- Level 3
  • AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
  • On the job training to support job role
  • Off the job training (plus college attendance) to support qualification requirements
  • Employer to offer dedicated training time to support off-the-job training requirements
  • Functional Skills support- (maths/English)- if required

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Some flexibility is required regarding occasional evenings, weekends or earlier start times as part of the contracted hours, in pre-agreed circumstances. Hours can be worked flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation and the apprentice.

About this employer

Colebrook was established in 1983 to offer housing and support to people moving out from Moorhaven and other long stay mental health institutions. We took our name from our first housing support project, which was based in Colebrook, Plympton. Over the last 40 years , Colebrook has expanded and diversified to deliver a wide range of different services including: - Community based support services - A wide range of supported accommodation projects - Work with Learning Disabilities and complex needs - Well being Hub in St Budeaux and Barne Barton - Plymouth Local Improvement Network (LINk) shaping health care and social care, now superseded by Healthwatch Plymouth - A mental health user and carer network (PIPS) now superseded by Heads Count. Many of these services form the basis of the work we do today.

After this apprenticeship

  • Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship, the candidate will become a valued member of the team, with opportunities to progress and develop in the company

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FOCUS TRAINING (SW) LIMITED

Trevor Barnes

trevor.b@tftg.org

07836 536590

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019931.

Apply now

Closes in 23 days (Friday 3 April 2026 at 11:59pm)