Business Administration Apprentice HARRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED

What you will do in your working day

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for organisation? We are a small, friendly Financial Services Practice based in Hungerford, Berkshire seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprentice.

In this exciting role, you will gain valuable experience in all aspects of business administration, working alongside a supportive team. You'll develop your skills in:

• Client service and support
• Diary and email management
• Data entry and financial processing
• Administrative tasks and filing
• Contributing to the smooth running of the office

Please note: Due to the regulatory aspect of the work completed by Harridge Financial Services Limited, we are looking for applicants with excellent writing skills and would like to see this reflected in your application if you are to be considered for this position. 

As the Business Administration Apprentice, your responsibilities and duties will include: 

Business Support:

• Answering the phone and directing the calls
• Opening incoming post. Scanning in and passing on
• Sending outbound post
• Meeting and greeting clients, offering refreshments on their arrival
• Take responsibility for the quality of your own work and advising appropriate colleagues of errors
• Carrying out work to the best of your ability and updating colleagues on the status of the task
• Assist more senior administration staff with chasing up information as required
• Ensuring the office has adequate supplies of stationary and kitchen supplies
• Any expenditure should be authorised at senior management level prior to purchase
• Supporting and training new starters to the business
• Working as part of a team so everyone helps one another as required

Administration Duties:

• Updating client records to ensure what we hold is relevant and accurate
• Assisting administratively in all aspects of financial planning (pensions, Investments, protection, mortgages, will writing etc).
• Ensuring General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) are followed within the practice and that all information we hold on clients is appropriate. This involves setting dates for deletion of client data if client doesn’t proceed with advice or if they are no longer a client (for example have closed their account/transferred away)
• Destroying confidential waste
• Adhering to the clear desk policy in the practice
• Using a variety of computer software to support the business (Microsoft office and other specialist software)
• Ensuring that that you update the inhouse task management system when you have done something and that your notes are clear (a third party should be able to understand what you have done in the event that they have to do something on a case)
• Updating spreadsheet for new business so that clients are updated a MINIMUM of two weekly and advisers can see accurately what has happened on a case
• Writing letters to clients and providers (using templates)
• Writing ad hoc emails and letters (without templates)
• Checking all of your work for accuracy
• Updating client fact finds from adviser notes

What we offer:

• Competitive salary of up to £22,000 per annum
• 28 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Gifted Christmas closure period
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunity to gain a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship

If you're looking for a rewarding career path in financial services, we encourage you to apply!

The training you will be getting

The Apprentice will receive full induction training in all administrative processes within the Harridge Financial Services Practice. This may include client services, mortgage and general office administration.

The Business Administrator Apprenticeship is delivered fully in the workplace. You will be supported by a Development Coach from Newbury College, so that you can confidently demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours by the end of your Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship: 

Knowledge:

• The organisation
• Value of their skills
• Stakeholders
• Relevant regulation
• Policies
• Business fundamentals
• Processes
• External environment factors

Skills:

• IT
• Record and document production
• Decision making
• Interpersonal skills
• Communications
• Quality
• Planning and organisation
• Project management

Behaviours:

• Professionalism
• Personal qualities
• Managing performance
• Adaptability
• Responsibility

Your Development Coach will meet with you regularly either remotely or in your workplace. Your employer will give you time in the workplace to focus on your apprenticeship.

Please note: If you do not have a GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent in either or both English and maths, you will be required to take Level 2 Functional Skills alongside your apprenticeship.

Your lessons will be delivered either remotely or in person at Newbury College. You must achieve level 2 in the required subject/s before you are able to complete your apprenticeship and you have the whole duration to achieve these if required.

At the end of your apprenticeship you will have completed the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard and will be required to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA). Your Development Coach will support you with preparing for your EPA.

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

• Harridge Financial Services is a growing practice and there will likely be a permanent Client Services Executive or Mortgage Administrator role available before or upon completion of the apprenticeship
• Harridge Financial Services also support their employees to complete Financial Services qualifications, which includes a financial reward on successful completion