Business Administrator Apprentice - Finance Control Team

Portsmouth City Council

Hampshire, PO1 2AL

Closes tomorrow (Tuesday 17 September)

Posted on 3 September 2024

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Summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking to recruit an apprentice keen to establish a career in business support. The role will focus on providing admin support to the childcare team in Finance Control Team who are responsible for ensuring income received by the Council is correctly reflected in the finance systems.

Annual wage
£23,152 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

This is a Fixed-term apprentice contract for two years.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 15 October

Duration

2 Years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

You will gain experience in a wide variety of administration and finance activities, including:

  • Posting bank transactions
  • Investigating transactions to identify what they are and how they should be recorded, and ensuring VAT associated with income is correctly recorded.
  • Dealing with queries from across the Council in relation to income received and the banking process.
  • Scheduling monthly team meetings and taking minutes
  • Coordinate meetings with stakeholders
  • Dealing with external customer queries, either via email, on the phone or face-to-face
  • General support in the office including printing, copying and filing
  • Coordinating IT requests by raising calls with the Helpdesk

Where you’ll work

Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO1 2AL

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

HTP APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE LTD

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

    • Your training plan

    You will be undertaking the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard and fully supported by HTP Apprenticeship College.

    You will be developing Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours in the following areas:

    • IT
    • Record and Document Production
    • Decision Making
    • Interpersonal Skills
    • Quality Planning
    • Project Management
    • Business Processes

    As part of the off-the-job training, you will complete a portfolio of evidence, attend online workshops, have time to study independently, undertake research and write up assignments.

    More training information

    • You will be fully supported by an Apprenticeship Coach from HTP who will meet with you every month to ensure you are making progress towards your apprenticeship qualification.

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • English & Maths (grade 4-9 or A*-C)

    Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

    Skills

    • Communication skills
    • IT skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Organisation skills
    • Customer care skills
    • Administrative skills
    • Logical
    • Team working
    • Creative
    • Initiative
    • Non judgemental

    Other requirements

    This role requires a level of integrity as there is a large amount of confidential data that is processed within the department

    About this company

    The Control Team is a key part of the Council as it is responsible for ensuring income received by the Council is correctly reflected in the financial ledger and other linked finance systems. However, this is just part of what the wider Technical & Financial Planning Team does and dependent on the apprentice and your interests/abilities you may gain experience across: • Production of year-end financial statements and government returns • Ensuring tax compliance by the Council • Managing the Council's investment and borrowing portfolio • Asset accounting

    https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

    Company benefits

    Discount on travel, travel loans and the bike loan scheme. Discounts on a wide range of goods and services – access a range of discounts and offers from thousands of restaurants, shops and more.

    After this apprenticeship

    Whilst this is a fixed-term role at the apprenticeship level, for the right candidate, there are a number of career progression opportunities within the Finance Team and also within Portsmouth City Council as an organisation. We have previously been able to offer similar apprentices the opportunity to extend their experience by undertaking Accountancy Qualifications and we are hopeful that there will be development within the Finance Control Team.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    HTP APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE LTD

    Simon Attrill

    simon.attrill@htp.ac.uk

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000274181.

    Apply now

    Closes tomorrow (Tuesday 17 September)

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.