Office Administrator and Purchase Ledger Apprentice

Sherborne Castle Estates

SHERBORNE (DT9 5NR)

Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 27 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 15 May 2026

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Summary

Support day‑to‑day business administration at Sherborne Castle, managing office systems, visitor enquiries, supplies, and post, alongside finance administration including invoice processing, authorisations, reconciliations and payments.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday. 08:30 - 17:00

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 June 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

  • Office duties including telephone reception
  • General office duties to include setting up conference room for meetings, dishwasher duties, bins, grocery shopping for office supplies
  • Managing stationery orders and filling up photocopier
  • Franking post and taking it to the Post Office/box
  • Support the finance team with general administrative and finance tasks
  • Visit residential park home with a member of the maintenance team every 6 months to record water meter readings
  • Verify supplier invoices and accurately post into the accounting system
  • Ensure all costs are properly authorised by the relevant party prior to payment
  • Prepare supplier accounts for fortnightly payment runs for all entities
  • Timely reconciliation of supplier statements to ensure supplier accounts are accurate and up to date
  • Maintain accurate records and ensure proper document handling
  • Liaise with suppliers and internal teams to resolve invoice and payment queries

Where you'll work

THE ESTATE OFFICE
THE STABLES
NEW ROAD
SHERBORNE
DT9 5NR

Training

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

Training provider

YEOVIL COLLEGE

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

  • This training will teach you the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Business Admin Apprenticeship standard
  • On completion, the apprentice will receive a Business Admin Level 3 qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)
  • Maths (grade 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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

  • You must be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship
  • In some cases, you may be required to have a telephone interview with Yeovil College prior to your application being passed on
  • If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier so please apply early to avoid disappointment

About this employer

13,000 acre Country Estate with Castle, 30 let farms, 272 let residential properties and 62 leased commercial properties. Sherborne Castle and Gardens is a tourist attraction open to the pubic for 6 months of the year.

https://www.sherbornecastle.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 22 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
  • Pass to use the garden and facilities

After this apprenticeship

  • Following completion of the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship, progression typically leads to a permanent administrative role with increased responsibility, such as Administrator, Office Coordinator or Finance/Business Support Officer
  • With experience, this can develop into senior administration, office management, or specialist roles, supported by further training or higher‑level qualifications

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

YEOVIL COLLEGE

Gabrielle Cobner

studentrecruitment@yeovil.ac.uk

01935845380

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030858.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 27 May 2026 at 11:59pm)