L3 Accounts Apprentice with the Financial Accounts Team
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Oldbury (B69 3DB)
Closes in 14 days (Monday 20 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 6 July 2026
Contents
Summary
You will support the Finance Team in maintaining accurate financial records and ensure the integrity of the Council’s general ledger. You will assist with the preparation of balance sheet reconciliations, investigating variances, and helping to resolve discrepancies to ensure accounts are accurate and up to date.
- Wage
-
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Assistant accountant (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
3 days in the office
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
Our Finance Team plays a central role in supporting the Council to deliver essential services to the community. We are responsible for managing public funds effectively, ensuring strong financial control, and providing accurate, timely financial information to support decision-making.
The team covers a broad range of accounting functions, including, financial reporting, treasury management, and the preparation of the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts. This includes managing key areas such as income collection, and monitoring debts and liabilities across the organisation.
You will also work closely with finance colleagues across a range of activities, providing support on day-to-day financial processes and contributing to wider financial reporting and control activities. This will include assisting with routine finance tasks, supporting month-end processes, and helping to prepare working papers as required.
This role will provide valuable exposure to core accounting principles, financial systems, and working practices within a large and complex organisation, alongside ongoing support and development from experienced finance professionals.
Where you'll work
Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BABINGTON BUSINESS COLLEGE 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
The apprenticeship training will be delivered in the workplace, as you will receive visits from a college assessor. The apprenticeship will also include a proportion of 20% Off The Job Training and a robust programme of Mandatory Apprentice Training provided by Sandwell Council to include Fire Awareness, Prevent, Safeguarding, Data Protection & Cyber Security and Equality & Diversity.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 9-4/A-C)
- Maths (grade 9-4/A-C)
Accounts or Finance Assistant in:
Functional Skills in:
- English (grade Level 2)
- Maths (grade Level 2)
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
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Respect for others
- Keyboard skills
- Able to prioritise
- Flexibility
- Positive attitude
- Adaptable
- Confident
- Willing to learn
- Adhere to Data Protection Act
Other requirements
Proof of qualification certificates will be required during the recruitment process. Please be aware that you will come into contact with sensitive information, of which data security must be maintained. You will need to be flexible and be very confident in talking to people at all levels. You must be prepared to adhere with Council Policies including the Data Protection Act. The council operates hybrid working. This involves working from an agreed workplace location in the borough for at least three days a week. We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date, if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible.
About this employer
Sandwell is a large, multicultural metropolitan borough situated in the heart of the Black Country, to the west of Birmingham, within the West Midlands conurbation and with a population of over 280,000. The Council is one of the largest employers in the Borough with employees in a variety of occupations, providing a comprehensive range of services. For more information about Sandwell Council’s apprenticeship programme and our recruitment process please visit our YouTube channel. Find out more information on Sandwell’s Values and Behaviours on the council’s webpage. For more information on careers in local government you can view a copy of the Local Government Career Guide.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This apprenticeship is a fixed term 15 month contract and at the end you will gain a Level 3 Assistant Accountant Qualification. However, the skills, knowledge and experience gained in this apprenticeship will allow you to gain future opportunities in the sector.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BABINGTON BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040783.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Monday 20 July 2026 at 11:59pm)