Finance Assistant Apprentice

UK Research and Innovation

Cambridge (CB2 0QH)

Closes in 19 days (Thursday 17 September 2026)

Posted on 28 August 2026

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Contents

Summary

MRC’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) based at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus has an exciting vacancy for a Level 2 Finance Assistant Apprenticeship. 

Wage

£23,794 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday. Shifts to be confirmed.

36 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 2026

Duration

1 year 2 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

As a Finance Assistant Apprentice at the LMB the successful candidate will proactively provide accounting support to the Finance team by performing tasks including purchase invoice processing, adjustment journal preparation and entry onto the Oracle Fusion accounting system. This role will also assist with the preparation of budget plans within the constraints of corporate deadlines.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

Routine Accounting Tasks

  • Using the accounting system (Oracle Fusion), action invoice queries received daily, by liaising with requisitioners, Divisional Administrators and the UK Shared Business Services (UKSBS)
  • Prepare input documents for invoices charged to a number of cost centres ensuring that the invoices are processed to meet payment deadlines. Suppliers of these invoices include: Fedex, DHL, Veezu Taxis, University of Cambridge and our catering company. Liaise with suppliers as necessary
  • Scanning, and electronic filing of purchase invoices and sending documents to UKSBS using service requests on Oracle Fusion
  • Track utility and courier costs, obtain required approvals, and support invoice processing and payments
  • Monitor the progress of utility, courier and other critical invoices to ensure prompt payment
  • Issue receipts for cheques received in the Finance Office, complete the miscellaneous receipt request form, sending cheques to UKSBS as received

Month End Procedures

  • Prepare and upload journals for movement of costs as required, forwarding them to the Finance Officer or Head of Finance for checking
  • Assist the Finance Officer with the collection of data for accruals and prepayments
  • Obtain utility meter readings from the Estates & Facilities team and complete the recharging exercise by raising invoices to other organisations
  • Assist the Finance team with the investigation and clearance of the accounts payable balance sheet

Budgets

  • Assist the Finance team with the preparation of annual budgets on the accounting system, completing control sheets, updating journal log and printing documents
  • Assist the Finance team with the analysis and preparation of data for forecasting and budgeting purposes

Support to Finance Staff

  • Provide on-going general support to the Finance team
  • Maintain the smooth running of the department’s facilities e.g. paper and toner in printer and photocopier and stationery orders
  • Update the Finance assistant procedure manual
  • Receive and distribute incoming post for the Finance team on a daily basis
  • Act on queries within own responsibility
  • Any ad hoc tasks appropriate to the role

Where you'll work

Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0QH

Training

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

Training provider

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

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 your apprenticeship training with First Intuition Cambridge, attending a mixture of in-person sessions at their training centre and online sessions.

As part of your apprenticeship you will also study for and achieve the following qualifications:

  • AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
  • Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers Level 2 Certificate in Accounting and Business

Towards the end of your apprenticeship you will be assessed against the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours contained within the apprenticeship standard across the following areas:

  • Legal, ethical and sustainability requirements in accounting
  • Financial data processing and accounting tasks
  • Communication and stakeholder engagement

Completion of the apprenticeship aligns with the following professional registration:

  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for Associate AICB
  • Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers for Associate AIAB

Travel to First Intuition Cambridge is required, with excess costs covered.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills

Other requirements

To be eligible to be considered for this apprenticeship you must:

  • Have evidence of Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent i.e. Level 2 Functional Skills)
  • Have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 consecutive years prior to the apprenticeship start date and have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment
  • Confirm that this apprenticeship offers substantive new skills and knowledge and that you have not already achieved an equivalent or higher-level qualification in a similar or related subject

As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

About this employer

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

http://ukri.org (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

UKRI offers the following:  

  • A benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays and an exceptional pension scheme 
  • Cycle-2-work scheme 
  • Discount vouchers for high street stores and attractions  

A full list of our benefits can be found here: https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/  

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Completion of the apprenticeship aligns with the following professional registration:

  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for Associate AICB
  • Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers for Associate AIAB

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050610.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Thursday 17 September 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.