L3 Accounts Apprentice with the Financial Accounts Team

About the Role

You will support the Finance Team in maintaining accurate financial records and ensure the integrity of the Council’s general ledger. You will assist with the preparation of balance sheet reconciliations, investigating variances, and helping to resolve discrepancies to ensure accounts are accurate and up to date.

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

Our Finance Team plays a central role in supporting the Council to deliver essential services to the community. We are responsible for managing public funds effectively, ensuring strong financial control, and providing accurate, timely financial information to support decision-making.

The team covers a broad range of accounting functions, including, financial reporting, treasury management, and the preparation of the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts. This includes managing key areas such as income collection, and monitoring debts and liabilities across the organisation.

You will also work closely with finance colleagues across a range of activities, providing support on day-to-day financial processes and contributing to wider financial reporting and control activities. This will include assisting with routine finance tasks, supporting month-end processes, and helping to prepare working papers as required.

This role will provide valuable exposure to core accounting principles, financial systems, and working practices within a large and complex organisation, alongside ongoing support and development from experienced finance professionals.

Training and Course Contents

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

• Assist with the investigation and response to financial information queries.
• Record and analyse financial data using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
• Apply double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards to process financial documents, generate financial statements and report financial information to users of accounts.
• Assist with production of accurate financial information for the preparation of accounts.
• Reconcile financial data, such as, preparation of reconciliations or review of reconciliations.
• Investigate, resolve or escalate transactional queries and errors within their remit as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Communicate financial information in a way that non-finance stakeholders can interpret and understand.
• Utilise digital skills to present key financial information using finance and accounting software and applications.
• Use software packages to assist with basic accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
• Communicate using varying approaches and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.