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Bookkeeping & Finance Apprentice

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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.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- 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
Where you'll work
Top Floor
108 Bradshawgate
Leigh
WN7 4NP
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NATIONAL UPSKILL LIMITED
Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
What you'll learn
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.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Training schedule
Training will be delivered by National Upskill. The apprentice will be based at our office in Leigh, Greater Manchester for the majority of the week, learning on the job alongside experienced colleagues.
Off-the-job training will be delivered remotely through online sessions with a dedicated tutor, with one day per week set aside for study and coursework. There is no requirement to travel to a college campus.
The apprentice will also receive regular one-to-one reviews with their tutor and workplace mentor to track progress towards the AAT qualification and the apprenticeship standard.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Desirable qualifications
- A Level in:
- Business or Finance qualification (grade C)
- AAT Level 1 in:
- Bookkeeping (grade Pass)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Other requirements
- Applicants must be able to travel reliably to our office in Leigh, Greater Manchester. The office is accessible by public transport, but please consider your commute before applying.
- Due to the confidential nature of client financial information, the successful applicant will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and to handle all client data in line with GDPR and our internal data protection policy.
- A basic DBS check may be required before starting, as the role involves access to sensitive financial data.
About us
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.


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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.
http://www.crownpayrollservices.co.uk (opens in new tab)
We have a range of benefits including travel passes, duvet days, 6 weeks minimum holiday plus birthdays, staff gifts and much more.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
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.
Contact for this apprenticeship
CROWN PAYROLL SERVICES LTD
Dean Ainslie
dean@crownpayrollservices.co.uk
07584656884
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046962.
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