Bookkeeping & Finance Apprentice

Introduction

Join our friendly practice and train as an Accounts Assistant while working towards your AAT qualification. You'll learn bookkeeping, sales and purchase ledgers, data entry and cash records, and how to check figures are accurate. No experience needed - full training and mentoring given. Ideal if you're enthusiastic and good with numbers.

About the Employer

Crown Payroll Services is a general practice firm of accountants based in Leigh, Greater Manchester. We provide accounting, bookkeeping, payroll and tax services to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK and internationally.

We are a small, close-knit team, which means our apprentice will work directly alongside experienced colleagues from day one rather than being one of many in a large department. You will see how a full range of client work fits together, from day-to-day bookkeeping through to year-end accounts, and gain exposure to a genuinely varied client base.

We are committed to developing our people. We already support a trainee within the team, and we take training seriously - you will be given the time, supervision and encouragement to succeed in your qualification alongside your work.

What You'll Do

• Processing purchase invoices and maintaining the purchase ledger
• Raising sales invoices and monitoring the sales ledger, including chasing outstanding payments
• Entering and coding transactions onto accounting software - Xero
• Reconciling bank statements, supplier statements and cash records
• Assisting with payroll processing and RTI submissions under supervision
• Helping prepare VAT returns and supporting schedules
• Checking calculations and figures to make sure records and payments are accurate
• Scanning, filing and organising financial records and correspondence
• Responding to routine client queries by email and telephone
• Supporting month-end and year-end procedures, including accruals and prepayments
• Assisting with the preparation of accounts for review by senior colleagues
• Completing AAT coursework and attending training sessions as part of the apprenticeship

Training Outcome

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is the opportunity for a permanent position within the practice as an Accounts Assistant, taking on greater responsibility for a portfolio of clients.

From there, progression can continue into an AAT Level 3 or Level 4 apprenticeship, leading to full AAT membership (MAAT). Many of our clients' finance teams are staffed by people who started exactly this way.

Longer term, AAT qualification provides exemptions towards chartered study with ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA, opening routes into roles such as Semi-Senior Accountant, Practice Accountant, Management Accountant or Payroll Manager. There is also scope to specialise in areas such as VAT and payroll.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Enthusiastic for role

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - 4/C
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - 4/C
• Desired - A Level - Business or Finance qualification - C
• Desired - AAT Level 1 - Bookkeeping - Pass

Course Information

Course: Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Legal, finance and accounting

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Variable but will be Wednesday - Friday, for 18-21 hours per week.

Expected Duration: 1 Year

Training Provider: NATIONAL UPSKILL LIMITED