Apprentice Finance Assistant - University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Medicine

University of Oxford

Headington, Oxford (OX3 7BN)

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 October 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Finance Apprentice to join the NDM Finance Shared Service Centre, a supportive team of 15, providing transactional finance services to a variety of units across the Nuffield Department of Medicine. This is an entry level role where you will complete both AAT L2 and AAT L3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting.

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
Assistant accountant (level 3)
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

Monday 14 December 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

You will be fully trained to carry out all the following tasks:  

  • Support the purchasing function by raising and reviewing requisitions upon Oracle financials system. 
  • Assist in reviewing the open purchase orders via the dashboard & “incomplete requisitions” report to ensure open orders are validated and delivery dates are correctly stated. You will use these delivery dates to ensure shoppers receipt goods and services on a timely basis. 
  • Assist in reviewing and preparing the new supplier requests for both PO and non-PO transactions, monitor with colleagues in the Central Finance Division.  
  • Support the Accounts Payable function by learning to process supplier invoices and credit notes in the Oracle financials system and deal with anomalies, escalating any complex queries to the Accounts Payable Officer/Supervisor.
  • Assist with reviewing the “invoices on hold” & “incomplete invoices” reports  to ensure supplier disputes or internal queries are resolved prior to payment due dates.
  • Assist with reviewing the supplier statements to identify missing invoices and take proactive action to prevent future issues.
  • Maintain accurate and complete accounting records for audit purposes including opening post, scanning, filing, and archiving.
  • Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University. This is anticipated to be not more than 2 days per year.
  • Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department. The specific list of training courses may change from time-to-time, in response to both legal and internal University requirements.

Job descriptions can never be comprehensive and you may be required to undertake other similar tasks and responsibilities.

Where you'll work

Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine
Old Road Campus
Roosevelt Drive
Headington, Oxford
OX3 7BN

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

Assistant accountant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Assist with the investigation of, 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 a range of approaches and media, with an understanding of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
  • Assist with the investigation of, 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 a range of approaches and media, with an understanding of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.

Training schedule


Duration:
 18 months practical training period plus assessment 


Delivery model:
 Work-based training with your employer
 Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week)
 Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 348 hours of off-the-job training during
their apprenticeship
Qualifications included:
 AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting
 AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting
 Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship

Assessment:
 Professional discussion
 Completion of AAT L3

More training information

Training during the first 6 months is at Abingdon and Witney College, Witney Campus. After this, apprentices have the option to attend either Witney or Abingdon Campus as they continue their progression through L3 AAT Studies. 

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

  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Committed to AAT study
  • Able to work accurately
  • Aptitude for the skills taught
  • Interest in working in Finance
  • Good oral communication
  • Good written communication
  • Accurate keyboard skills
  • Good phone communications
  • Professional attitude
  • Microsoft Office skills
  • MS Excel and MS Word competent
  • Willingness to learn
  • Adaptability
  • Efficient under pressure

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 AND CLEARER SELECTION CRITERIA - JOB REFERENCE -188913

  • Applicants who already hold accounting qualifications, at L2 AAT or above, or who have significant accounting experience are unlikely to be eligible for this apprenticeship. 
  • 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 17,000 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 VAC2000057669.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 11:59pm)