Finance Apprentice

Hastings Borough Council

East Sussex (TN34 3UY)

Closes in 19 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

Posted on 17 March 2026


Summary

We're seeking a Finance Apprentice to join the Financial Services Team. You'll be assisting in delivering a professional, comprehensive finance transaction service, ensuring high standards of service delivery across Debtors, Creditors, and Income functions.

You'll be working towards a Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant qualification.

Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Combination of remote working and office as required.

37 hours a week

Start date

Saturday 5 September 2026

Duration

1 year 4 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

  • Assist with debt collection, including liaising with Legal for outstanding cases.
  • Support the management of leases and licences for concessions, rents, and other property-related income.
  • Assist in producing accounts for fees, rents, and other council charges.
  • Issue reminders and follow up on payments in line with timetables.
  • Assist with income reconciliation and ensure accurate coding of transactions.
  • Ensure payments are processed on time, avoiding duplication.
  • Maintain compliance with VAT regulations and statutory requirements.
  • Manage external post and electronic communications efficiently.
  • Support Freedom of Information requests.

Where you'll work

Muriel Matters House
Breeds Place
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3UY

Training

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

Training provider

EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP

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

East Sussex College will provide the apprenticeship framework which will include Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour, Diploma (if included), Functional Skills. Weekly/block college attendance for Trade, Engineering and Hairdressing apprenticeships. 

East Sussex College will ensure Health & Safety, and Equality & Diversity.

More training information

The course will start in September 2026. You will be required to attend East Sussex College, Eastbourne Campus one day per week.

 

Although the training for the apprenticeship will start in September - you will be able and expected to start in the role prior to this date. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

3 subjects (grade Grade C or above)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Ability to work independently

Other requirements

  • Qualifications: Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above, including maths and English.
  • Experience: Prior experience in a finance environment and a customer-focused role.
  • Knowledge: A solid understanding of bookkeeping and familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
  • Skills: Strong numeracy, written, and verbal communication skills, with excellent organisational abilities.
  • Personal Attributes: A methodical approach, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and a commitment to high professional standards.

About this employer

Hastings Borough Council serves as the local authority for the historic seaside town of Hastings in East Sussex. Operating from Muriel Matters House on the seafront, the council is responsible for key services including housing, planning, waste and recycling, licensing, and maintaining the town’s seafront and public spaces

 

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

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

Permanent full-time employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP

Kate Delany

Kate.Delany@escg.ac.uk

03030039821

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021655.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

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