Accounts Assistant Apprentice

THOMAS EMLYN LTD

CHELMSFORD (CM2 0RG)

Closes in 16 days (Friday 24 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 8 July 2026

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Summary

We're looking for an apprentice to train as an Assistant Accountant. This isn't a single-task role, you'll get genuine breadth across accounts, tax, bookkeeping, payroll, and company secretarial work. We're looking for someone with some experience already, who wants responsibility and a clear path to owning a portfolio of clients themselves.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Assistant accountant (level 3)
Hours
30 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with an additional day at college or for study. Start and finish times are flexible.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

  • Assist the Senior Manager in preparing year-end accounts and tax returns for our clients
  • Help ensure clients remain fully compliant with their statutory obligations
  • Support the Head of VFO (our bookkeeping department) to keep client bookkeeping data and records accurate and up to date
  • Assist with preparing and filing CIS returns and VAT returns, including construction-specific rules such as the domestic reverse charge
  • Be trained in running client payrolls, working alongside experienced team members
  • Progress towards independently managing payroll for a portfolio of clients
  • Carry out company secretarial tasks including Companies House filings for our clients
  • Assist in preparing management information (MI) that gives our clients real insight into how their business is performing, a core part of how we help owners make better decisions
  • Communicate directly with HMRC on behalf of clients, handling queries professionally and accurately
  • Build the confidence and client-facing communication skills needed to represent Thomas Emlyn well
  • Get hands-on with the cloud accounting and automation tools we use day to day, and help us spot where new technology can save time or add value for clients
  • Bring fresh ideas, we want everyone on the team, apprentices included, contributing to how we stay ahead of the curve

Where you'll work

7
BELLEFIELD HOUSE
104 NEW LONDON ROAD
CHELMSFORD
CM2 0RG

Training

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

Training provider

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

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

You'll study towards your AAT Level 3 qualification with First Intuition, combining college-based study with full on-the-job training and mentoring from senior members of the team.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C or above)

Desirable qualifications

AAT in:

Level 2 (grade Pass)

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
  • Number skills

Other requirements

  • Trustworthy and professional, you'll be handling confidential financial information
  • Ambitious and keen to take on responsibility as you develop
  • A genuine team player who's also happy working independently as trust builds

About this employer

Thomas Emlyn Ltd is a specialist accountancy firm built exclusively around the construction industry. We work with ambitious, growing construction businesses, from £1m up to £20m+ turnover, helping them improve margins, control cash flow, and build the systems that let owners step back from the day-to-day and run their business.

We're not a generalist practice, we are experts in what we do. Our clients are ambitious, and we hold ourselves to the same standard internally. That includes investing in technology: we want to be at the forefront of how accountancy is delivered, not playing catch-up, and every member of the team brings curiosity about how new tools and automation can make our work sharper and more valuable to clients.

http://www.thomasemlyn.co.uk (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).

This role is deliberately broad because we want to build you into a well-rounded accountant. Over time, and as you progress, you'll take on increasing ownership, moving from assisting with accounts, bookkeeping, payroll and CIS/VAT work to eventually being trusted to look after and take full responsibility for those areas on your own client accounts.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FIRST INTUITION EAST AND NORTH LIMITED

Freddie Dewar

freddiedewar@fi.co.uk

01245209900

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041363.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 24 July 2026 at 11:59pm)