Bookkeeping & Accountants Assistant Apprenticeship

ANTHONY RUSSEL LIMITED

BRAINTREE (CM77 8YG)

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 3 October 2026)

Posted on 16 September 2026


Summary

Strive to make a difference and join our busy accountancy practice as an Apprentice Bookkeeper & Accounts Assistant. Gain hands-on experience supporting our bookkeeping, accounts or administration teams, whilst learning professional skills and contributing to our culture of continuous improvement, innovation and excellent client service.

Wage

£17,550 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is £9.00 p/h

Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday with flexi start times. Hours: 7:30am - 3:30pm or 10:30am - 6:30pm. With a half hour lunch break. Initially for health and safety the apprentice hours would be dictated by availability of the team to be on- site and support them.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 2026

Duration

1 year

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

Day to day responsibilities will include: 

  • Processing purchase and sales invoices.
  • Reconciling bank accounts.
  • Assisting with VAT returns.
  • Managing client records and documents.
  • Supporting accounts preparation.
  • Communicating with clients by phone and email.
  • Updating practice management systems.
  • Updating accounts systems.
  • General administration and office support.
  • Assisting payroll, bookkeepers and accounts assistants with client work.

Core Values:

  • Be Professional – Committed to Standards, Honest
    Reliable and Focused.
  • Be A team Player – Willing to teach and learn Positive
    Attitude, Empathetic, Kind.
  • Be Helpful – Respectful, Supportive, Friendly and
    Approachable.

Where you'll work

WINGHAMS HOUSE
9 FREEPORT OFFICE VILLAGE
CENTURY DRIVE
BRAINTREE
CM77 8YG

Training

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

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

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

  • The apprentice will be working towards the Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2 apprenticeship standard including the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting.
  • Classroom attendance at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus) every other week.

More training information

Colchester Institute have partnered with Mindful Education to deliver this apprenticeship through our Online and On Campus model.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Trustworthy
  • Multi-tasking skills
  • Professionality
  • Respectful & supportive
  • Friendly & approachable
  • Confidentiality

Other requirements

  • You will be working with financial information and must be comfortable working accurately and paying attention to detail.
  • The role involves regular use of computer systems and accounting
    software.
  • You will communicate with colleagues and clients by telephone,
    email and in person.
  • The role requires good organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • We expect everyone to be a good team worker and contribute to continuous improvement.

About this employer

Anthony Russel is a modern and growing accountancy practice providing bookkeeping, accounting, payroll and business support services to a wide range of clients. We strive to “Make the Difference” for both our clients and our team by delivering excellent service, embracing continuous improvement and building long-term relationships. We invest in our people through training, technology and professional development, creating opportunities for individuals to learn, grow and build successful careers within a supportive and collaborative environment.

https://www.anthonyrussel.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

We offer:

  • Flexible working arrangement to ensure a good work life balance.
  • Supported apprenticeship qualification and study time.
  • Ongoing training and professional development.

After this apprenticeship

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

  • Bookkeeper.
  • Accounts Assistant.
  • Potentially Fully Qualified Accountants.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053847.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 3 October 2026)

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