Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship - Level 3
Met Office
UK (EX1 3PB)
Closes in 21 days (Sunday 8 March 2026)
Posted on 13 February 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Met Office as an Assistant Accountant Apprentice for up to 15 months commencing at the start of September 2026.
- Wage
-
£23,400 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
As our Assistant Accountant Apprentice Level 3, your starting salary will be £23,400 and you will have the opportunity to progress to £24,700 over time.
- Training course
- Assistant accountant (level 3)
- Hours
-
While we value the flexibility that hybrid working offers, in line with our team charter, you’ll be expected to attend the office at least six days each month, spread throughout the month, in addition to your study day.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Thursday 3 September 2026
- Duration
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1 year 3 months
- Positions available
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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
This apprenticeship can offer you the support, training and industry-recognised qualification to get you on the path to a career in Finance and is an exciting opportunity to see first-hand what we do.
The Finance Team is made up of four areas, Finance Operations, Business Support, Corporate Systems, and Plans & Performance. Together they are responsible for delivering all financial advice, processes, and support across the Met Office.
This Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship combines structured study with practical experience, including sales and purchase ledger, credit control, cash management, management accounts, financial accounts and financial systems, enabling you to contribute meaningfully from an early stage while developing the skills needed for long‑term progression. The blend of the AAT qualification and hands‑on experience provides a strong foundation for your career and offers a clear pathway for advancement within the Finance Team.
Your key duties:
- Successfully complete the externally delivered Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship.
- Maintain a logbook and portfolio, as required by the learning provider, throughout the apprenticeship. This should record the projects and activities undertaken to demonstrate your developing skills and learning.
- Apply the knowledge gained through your studies to the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department, developing competence in core financial processes and building confidence through hands‑on experience.
Where you'll work
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
Devon
UK
EX1 3PB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EXETER AND NORTH DEVON COLLEGES GROUP
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
We would look for you to join us in September 2026 with your apprenticeship training beginning shortly afterwards.
You will be managed by a line manager and have a mentor to offer further support. You will have on-the-job training and in-house development opportunities during your apprenticeship.
You will have 1 day per week dedicated to your 20% off the job training with the training provider, Exeter College. They will deliver the off-the-job training in a face-to-face style, and you will have a tutor(s) delivering learning sessions at the Future Skills Centre. From September 2026, this course runs for 12 months plus a further 3 months to complete the End Point Assessment. You will also have regular review meetings with your tutor and line manager. Alternative training providers or delivery methods may be considered to support individual learning styles.
As well as the taught content, there will be a large amount of self-study, regular assignments, exams and an end-point assessment period. You must be committed to your own development and training, as this element forms a significant aspect of a modern apprenticeship.
Please note: Before applying, we recommend you consider if the delivery method suits your learner's needs. We would also recommend you look at the information about the apprenticeship on the training provider's website, try the AAT Skill Check tool, as well as researching the requirements of an apprenticeship to help you decide whether an apprenticeship is right for you.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Interpersonal Skills
Other requirements
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK. Please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible; 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.
About this employer
From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.
- We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
- We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
- We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
- We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
- We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers
https://careers.metoffice.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Civil Service pension
- Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years
- Access to discounted shopping
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
You will develop skills and workplace experience in this occupation, which may lead to progression to a Level 4 Professional Accountant Apprenticeship, which may then lead to a permanent position on successful completion of the full AAT qualification or the knowledge to gain employment within the wider industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EXETER AND NORTH DEVON COLLEGES GROUP
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015596.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Sunday 8 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.