Apprentice Finance Assistant - University of Oxford- Finance Division

University of Oxford

Oxford (OX2 6DP)

Closes in 22 days (Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 April 2026

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Summary

An excellent opportunity for the right candidate to gain first-hand experience of a variety of roles in a busy Finance department and to develop their skills alongside their formal studies for AAT at Level 2, followed by progression to the Level 3 apprenticeship after completion. 

Wage

£26,686 a year

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All apprentices at the University of Oxford start at Apprentice Grade 1A currently with a salary of £26686pa.

Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday- Friday usually 9.00am- 5.00pm You will have a fixed term contract of employment with the University of Oxford for 3 years.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 10 August 2026

Duration

1 year 4 months

Positions available

2

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 work as an Apprentice Finance Assistant.  You will complete a Level 2 Finance Assistant Apprenticeship which is within the finance and accounting sector. (Please note that on successful completion, the apprentice will be expected to progress to the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship so the employment contract is for 3 years to cover both levels). 

College attendance and successful completion of these studies is an essential requirement of this Apprenticeship. 
 
This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to gain first-hand experience of a variety of roles in a busy Finance department and to develop their skills alongside their formal studies for AAT. The role will offer the opportunity to move between teams at set periods and can be tailored to match a candidate’s area of interest or study after consultation with your line manager. 
 
Responsibilities (This section tries to give you a feel of what your day-to-day activities at work will be. This is just the basics, there will be more as your training progresses) 
 
The role will be allocated to specific teams over the 3 years and for fixed periods after discussion with your line manager. 
 
During the course of your apprenticeship, you will develop within the various Finance teams, so that you will be able to undertake a wide range of the duties of the post:  

  • Learn to check and sort the incoming mail for the Finance team including date stamping
  • Learn the initial review of documents received to ensure that they are mathematically correct, sufficiently authorised and conform to regulatory requirements
  • Develop skills in the inputting to the Oracle Financials system of authorised invoices, receipts, claims and the matching of invoice records
  • Learn to reconcile items received into the Bank Account with transactions input into the Oracle system
  • With the support of colleagues, learn the processes for filing documents
  • Learn to prepare and send documents for imaging
  • Learn to work with suppliers to check correct entry of bank account details, email addresses and respond to their queries
  • Learn to provide guidance to staff in departments, regarding invoices, expenses and payments processes. Managing with departments those expense claims that it is necessary to query or return
  • Develop skills in the receiving and checking of banking deposits from departments; the reimbursing of departmental Petty Cash floats and the daily balancing and reconciliation of cash as well as preparing cash and cheques for banking
  • With support, allocate income received into the University Bank Account and investigate unidentified payments received into the University Bank Account, where necessary liaising with sponsors, donors and customers of the University
  • Learn to support departments in the use of the University’s Online Store facility

In the execution of these roles and responsibilities the post holder will at all times:

  • Abide by local and University rules and codes of practice with regard to Health and Safety
  • Work with discretion and confidentiality when dealing with personal data or information

This job description should be regarded only as a guide to the duties required and is not intended to be definitive. The Job Description does not form part of the contract.  

Where you'll work

Great Clarendon Street
Oxford
OX2 6DP

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

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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

Duration:  

13 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment 

Delivery model: 

  • Work-based training with your employer 
  • Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week at either Abingdon or Witney Campus) 
  • Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work 

Qualifications included: 

  • AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting 
  • Level 2 Accountants or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship 

End Point Assessment: 

  • In-tray test 
  • Portfolio 
  • Structured Interview 

More training information

You will attend college one day per week during term time, at either Abingdon or Witney Campus. On successful completion of the Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant apprenticeship, you will move on to complete the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship as part of your 3 year employment contract.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language or Literature (grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)
  • Maths (grade A*-A/9-7 or equivalent)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • MS Excel, Outlook and Word
  • Discretion / confidentiality
  • Time management skills
  • Willing to work flexibly
  • Reliability

Other requirements

BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE AND READ THE FULL ADVERT AND ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ROLE - JOB REFERENCE -185491 

Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments and eligibility checks prior to start. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.

About this employer

We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 16,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

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

Company benefits

You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums.

After this apprenticeship

  • Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Jane Phipps

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235 216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027448.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 11:59pm)