Apprentice Finance Administrator

SMI INT GROUP LIMITED

PETERSFIELD (GU32 3QB)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 23 September 2026

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Summary

SMI Group, a long-established family firm, is seeking a driven Apprentice Finance Administrator to join its close-knit finance team while studying towards an Assistant Accountant Level 3 qualification. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a career in finance gaining valuable experience in a supportive and fast-paced environment.

Wage

£22,800 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Assistant accountant (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm, to include 6 hours study time per week and breaks.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 November 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

What you will gain:

  • Opportunity to work as part of an experienced and well-rounded team where career growth and progression is nurtured and development is encouraged.
  • Opportunity to work for a family firm now run by 3rd generation who focus on values-based recruitment, welcoming people who are positive, motivated, organised and strong team players.
  • Opportunity to gain an AAT Level 3 apprenticeship qualification.

What you will do:

  • The Junior Finance Assistant will provide essential support to the finance function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions.
  • The role will have a particular focus on Accounts Payable activities, while also assisting with general accounting, month-end processes, reconciliations, and administrative finance duties.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Match invoices to purchase orders and delivery notes where applicable.
  • Verify invoice coding and obtain appropriate authorisations.
  • Maintain supplier records and ensure account details are up to date.
  • Prepare supplier payment runs in accordance with company procedures.
  • Support the management of employee expense claims and company credit card reconciliations.
  • Perform bank reconciliations and investigate reconciling items.

Long term responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Assist with month-end close activities and preparation of reports.
  • Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
  • Process journals under supervision.
  • Support the preparation of VAT returns and audit information.
  • Assist with balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Help ensure compliance with company financial controls and procedures.
  • Support year-end audit requests and documentation gathering

Who you will be:

  • Someone who already has an Assistant Accountant Level 2 qualification.
  • Someone who is driven to achieve a successful career in accounting.
  • Someone who is a willing to learn and ambitious to climb the finance ladder.
  • Someone who is a team player and understands the importance of fitting into an established team.
  • Someone who will be committed for the life of the apprenticeship and beyond.

Where you'll work

VISION HOUSE
BEDFORD ROAD
PETERSFIELD
GU32 3QB

Training

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

Training provider

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

Training course

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Assist with the investigation of, 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 a range of approaches and media, with an understanding of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
  • Assist with the investigation of, 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 a range of approaches and media, with an understanding of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Math (grade 4)

AAT Level 2 in:

Accounts (grade 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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Hardworking
  • Willing to learn
  • Reliable
  • Ambitious
  • Personable
  • Multi-tasker
  • Proactive

Other requirements

Things you need to know:

  • This is a 19-month apprenticeship including end point assessment.
  • Learning will be work based in Petersfield with occasional attendance at Chichester College.
  • To apply you must already have achieved your Level 2 AAT qualification.
  • To apply you must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years before the start date of the apprenticeship learning and have authorisation to work in the UK.
  • You cannot apply if you already have a qualification equal to or higher than the apprenticeship standard being studied.
  • You can apply if you have a higher qualification than the apprenticeship standard in an unrelated subject.
  • The company is due to relocate to new premises at Dunsbury Park in Havant in Quarter 3 of 2027 so own travel will be essential.
  • Job to start straightaway with the apprenticeship learning starting in November.

About this employer

SMI Group was founded in 1981 by Paul Prisgrove, who left school and started selling gloves from his garden shed before making deliveries from his car around Southeast London. SMI Group acquired its first business premises 8 years later in 1989. 10 years and 4 moves later, the company made its first acquisition with Nusafe Limited, located in Newcastle. By 2022, and having made a second acquisition with Swift 360, SMI acquired its new 15,000ft corporate headquarters in Petersfield, where it still operates from. Now, 4 years later, SMI Group has also acquired Lion and Contego Safety Solutions, and patented it’s MY-SMI product partnering with large businesses to supply their PPE, always keeping its family values at the heart of everything it does.

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

After this apprenticeship

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

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship there will be the potential to stay on permanently with the option to progress onto next level qualifications.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054598.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 11:59pm)