Accounts or finance assistant
Level 2 · IntermediateLegal, finance and accounting 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
An accounts or finance assistant supports a finance team by processing financial transactions, maintaining records, and helping to produce reports and accounts. Apprentices learn core bookkeeping, payroll, and purchase and sales ledger skills used in everyday business finance. This role is an excellent entry point that can lead to assistant accountant, management accountant, or further AAT/ACCA study.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Double-entry bookkeeping and the principles of accounts
Processing purchase and sales invoices accurately
Bank reconciliation and maintaining the cash book
Basic payroll processing and PAYE understanding
Use of accounting software such as Sage or Xero
VAT returns and basic tax awareness
Professional communication in a finance environment
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Post supplier invoices and process customer receipts daily
Reconcile bank statements against the accounting system
Chase outstanding payments from customers on the aged debt report
Prepare and submit basic VAT returns to HMRC
Assist with month-end close tasks and journal postings
Maintain accurate financial records and filing systems
Support colleagues with finance queries and ad hoc tasks
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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