Accounts Apprentice

Summary

To provide efficient, accurate and timely support to the finance function, including day to day bookkeeping activities, processing of accounts payable / receivable, bank reconciliations, and accounting records. The role contributes to financial controls and record-keeping and supports the firm’s compliance framework.

Wage

£14,560 a year

£14560/£19747/£23132.20 depending upon age.

Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, with 1-hour lunch.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 23 November 2026

Duration

1 year

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

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes, in accordance with firm policies and procedures
• Allocate receipts, maintain debtor records and monitor aged receivables
• Assist with credit control activities, including polite and professional follow-up with clients / customers in accordance with internal protocols
• Support the resolution of billing queries, escalating where appropriate. Post bank transactions and maintain accurate cashbook records
• Perform regular bank reconciliations and investigate discrepancies promptly
• Assist with management of petty cash (where applicable), including reconciliations and controls
• Process staff expense claims in line with policy and verify supporting receipts
• Ensure correct VAT treatment (where applicable) and coding to cost centres / matters / projects as required
• Follow internal procedures designed to support compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and the firm’s COFA framework
• Maintain financial records in accordance with SRA accounts rules, data protection requirements and the firm’s retention policies
• Provide administrative support to the finance team, including filing, scanning, and responding to internal queries
• Undertake other reasonable finance-related tasks consistent with the role and business needs Maintain accurate records within accounting software including Leap and Xero
• Identify process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy
• Operate within defined procedures and approval limits
• May recommend payment scheduling and propose corrections to postings / coding, final approvals remain with Finance Manager
• Escalates discrepancies, control failures, suspected fraud indicators, or material errors promptly to the Finance Manager
• Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when handling client, matter and finance-related information, including any personal data
• Ensure all such information is managed in accordance with UK GDPR requirements, internal policies and information security procedures, including secure storage and controlled access to finance records

This position is subject to an enhanced DBS check and probationary period.

Where you'll work

Plater Way
Sunderland
SR1 3AD

Training

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

Training provider

ACCESS TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

What you'll learn

• 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.

Training schedule

Accounts Level 2 apprenticeship alongside internal training on policies and procedures.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

A Level in:

Maths (grade C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental

Other requirements

You will be attending day release sessions at Access Training on a weekly basis.