Business Administration Apprentice

HAINES WATTS (SWINDON)

SWINDON (SN1 3DU)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 14 May 2026

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Summary

This role will support the Office Manager and provide hands-on experience across all aspects of office administration and business operations. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone looking to build a strong foundation in a professional environment while developing valuable skills in organisation, communication, and office systems.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£10 per hour

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
30 hours per week Office-based 09:00- 17:30 Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Friday with an hour’s lunch break.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 June 2026

Duration

1 year 6 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

Key responsibilities:

  • Supporting the Office Manager in ensuring that the standard office procedures are applied to the office and are working correctly, Health & Safety annual audit and ongoing annual procedures
  • Project Management and Coordination is essential along with the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve
  • Assisting clients in directing queries to the appropriate resource within the office
  • Receiving and dealing with telephone calls professionally, re-directing or taking messages and using initiative to deal with queries
  • Assisting with all the data processing, printing and postal functions including sorting, distributing, responding and drafting responses to incoming mail in a timely and efficient manner
  • Supporting with presentations, reports, emails and letters
  • Setting up meetings as appropriate and maintaining good communications
  • Provide a high quality secretarial and organisational support service including effective electronic diary management, assessing priority of appointments and reallocation as necessary
  • Providing support for an extensive range of meetings. This will include preparing and organising of refreshments
  • Supporting with daily banking and petty cash responsibility
  • Supporting with checking of weekly timesheet and printing and despatch of monthly bills
  • Setting up of new clients, checking paperwork complies with Haines Watts and money laundering procedures for sign off by MLO
  • Authorised ordering of office consumables
  • Organising and maintaining effective filing systems
  • Providing high quality and professional front of house duties to visitors
  • Cover of all other general administrative duties when necessary

Where you'll work

OLD STATION HOUSE
STATION APPROACH
NEWPORT STREET
SWINDON
SN1 3DU

Training

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

Training provider

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

  • Cirencester College
  • Business Administration Level 3 
  • Whilst the majority of training will take place at the employers' premises, there will be occasional attendance required at Cirencester College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C)
  • Maths (grade 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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

  • Competitive and flexible remuneration package
  • 20 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Post qualification, this increases annually to a maximum of 25 days plus bank holidays
  • A relaxed working environment whilst maintaining a high level of professionalism
  • Continuous training and development of new and existing skills
  • CPD courses provided
  • Exposure to a wide range of clients
  • Parking on site

• Involvement in a firm:
o With strong values
o Committed to the development of its team

About this employer

At Haines Watts Swindon Limited, we provide expert accounting, tax and advisory services which are tailored to help local businesses grow and succeed. With decades of experience, our dedicated team supports businesses, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals across Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West.

https://www.hwca.com/accountants-swindon/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • This role is designed to help you grow in confidence, knowledge, and responsibility
  • Full training and support will be provided, and as your skills develop, you will be given the opportunity to take on more complex tasks

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Apprenticeships

apprenticeships@cirencester.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031653.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)