Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician - University of Oxford - Mathematical Institute

University of Oxford

Oxford (OX2 6GG)

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 23 June 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity to join the University of Oxford as an  Accounting Apprentice within the world-leading Mathematical Institute. Includes a variety of finance duties that will help develop your finance knowledge, including processing of transactions, assisting with month end tasks, and general finance administration. 

Wage

£26,686 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

All apprentices at the University of Oxford start at Apprentice Grade 1A currently with a salary of £26686pa.

Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday usually 9.00am- 5.00pm. You will have a fixed term contract of employment with the University of Oxford for 2 years.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 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

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the University of Oxford as Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician within the world-leading Mathematical Institute.

You will gain skills and experience both in the workplace, and through the completion of a course of study. Appropriate objectives will be set during the course of the Apprenticeship. This is a general Finance role, which means that you will have the opportunity to learn how to complete a wide range of Finance administration.

The Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician will provide essential support to the Finance team:

  • Learn to carry out general office duties including managing emails and calendars, filing, and dealing with finance enquiries via email, face to face and over the phone/MS Teams
  • Learn how to use the University’s Finance system, Oracle, to enter confidential, financial data, raise purchase orders on a daily basis and assist with data entry into internal databases and spreadsheets
  • With support, prepare any necessary financial documentation, including general ledger journals with a full audit trail. This could also involve drafting and updating information on the Finance pages of the website, and helping to prepare training material
  • Learn about financial process, including the petty cash process and the process for raising Internal and External sales invoices according to University procedures
  • Assist with maintaining finance records, ensuring accurate physical and electronic records are kept and that they are complete and up-to-date
  • Assist with preparing reports for month end reporting and reviewing the open purchase orders and closed for receiving purchase orders report on a regular basis
  • Assist with the delivery of projects across the Finance team; working with different team members on a varied array of projects, liaising with colleagues across the department to gather information and support successful delivery
  • Learn how to provide basic advice on financial policies and procedures as appropriate, and referring to the Finance Officer (General Ledger) for any complex cases
  • Develop skills and a full understanding of University financial regulations, that contribute to the development and continuous improvement of Finance activities
  • Help to organise materials and venues for Finance meetings or events, including training

This list is not exhaustive, and you may be required to carry out additional tasks that fall within your competency as directed by the Finance Manager.

Where you'll work

Andrew Wiles Building
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

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

Duration:  

13 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment 

Delivery model: 

  • Work-based training with your employer 
  • Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week at either Abingdon or Witney Campus) 
  • Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work 

Qualifications included: 

  • AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting 
  • Level 2 Accountants or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship 

End Point Assessment: 

  • In-tray test 
  • Portfolio 
  • Structured Interview 

More training information

  • You will attend college one day per week during term time, at either Abingdon or Witney Campus
  • On successful completion of the Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant apprenticeship, there may be a further option to move on to complete the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship if an opportunity arises

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Interest in accounting career
  • Committed to AAT study
  • Can follow procedure
  • Able to work accurately
  • Good time management
  • Aptitude for the skills taught

Other requirements

BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE AND READ THE FULL ADVERT AND ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ROLE - JOB REFERENCE -187104

  • As part of the screening process for this role, you will also be required to submit a CV
  • You will be passionate about starting your accounting career and excited about the opportunity about becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford
  • You may be starting your career or you may be looking for a career change
  • Please note that the Training Provider is required to assess your current ability in maths and English as part of the application process, even if you already have your English and maths qualifications
  • In applying for this role, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College the permission to access your Learner Record and to contact you in order to carry out required pre-screening checks

Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments and eligibility checks prior to start.

As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.

About this employer

We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 16,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums

After this apprenticeship

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

  • Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Jane Phipps

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235 216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038665.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 11:59pm)