Finance Apprentice

Summary

Foundation of Light are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, driven Finance apprentice to support the wider Finance Team. Apply now!

Wage

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday. Shifts tbc.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 26 May 2025

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

Main Duties:

To support the Finance Department to maintain efficient and effective accounting functions across the organisation. Assist with daily routine duties around sales and purchase ledger, gathering and inputting of all financial data into digital finance and accounting systems. Gain valuable work experience to support your career development and achieve a recognised Finance qualification.

Sales Invoice and credit control
Purchase order system management
Reconciliations
Purchase Ledger
Use of digital finance and accounting systems and tools
Accounting Data Entry
Cash book management and transactions
Bank reconciliations
Month-end accounting process, including preparing and posting monthly accruals and other journals to the Sage system
Preparing supplier payments for authorisation
Upkeep of the Fixed Asset Register
Supporting with the preparation and payment of expenses
Additional project work with the Finance Team
Assisting with reports and funding returns
Completion of a recognised Finance qualification as part of an apprenticeship

Other Duties:

Embed EDI in all aspects of work
Assist in data collection and analysis, providing accurate management information systems for data-led decisions

You will be required to undertake other duties from time to time as required.

Any potential permanent changes to your role will be discussed, and an agreement reached prior to being undertaken. You will be notified of any permanent change in writing. In addition to your normal duties, you may be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the Foundation of Light.

Behaviour and professional expectations:

Maintain working practices in line with Foundation of Light Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Safeguarding policies, self-awareness of own responsibility in these areas
Ensure regulatory and legislative requirements are always met
Conduct should reflect the Staff Behaviour Policy (Code of Conduct); uphold Foundation core values (as shown below) at all times
Maintain the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Attend working groups and CPD session as required
Build strong internal relationships
Work in collaboration with colleagues to achieve the end goal
Ensure positive organisational messages and culture are maintained
Contribute to good housekeeping across all Foundation sites and equipment
Follow the Foundation’s policies and procedures at all times.

Foundation of Light Values:

Innovative, Passionate, Excellence, Collaborative, Integrity, Agile.

Where you’ll work

Beacon Of Light Ltd, Beacon Of Light, Stadium Park
Sunderland
SR5 1SN

Training

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

College or training organisation

NEW COLLEGE DURHAM

Your training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Record transactional data.
Use the organisation’s standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues such as, reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
Record transactional data.
Use the organisation’s standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues such as, reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.

Your training plan

You will be enrolled on a Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant Apprenticeship
You will attend New College Durham one day per week for face-to-face sessions
Ongoing training and support will be provided through the Foundation of Light and New College Durham

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade 4)
English (grade 4)

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

Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Communication skills
Patience

Other requirements

You must be able to travel to Sunderland and New College Durham each week. Interested applicants should complete an Expression of Interest form to gemma.snaith@foundationoflight.co.uk

About this company

Established in 2001 by former Sunderland AFC chairman Sir Bob Murray CBE, our mission is simple: to use the power of football to tackle the North East's biggest societal challenges, helping our communities to live happier and healthier lives. Situated in the North East of England, we are based at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland and have outreach centres across the city, South Tyneside and County Durham.

After this apprenticeship

Upon apprenticeship completion, you will gain a Level 2 AAT Qualification

Ask a question

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