Job Title: Finance Apprentice

Department: Finance

Reporting to: Purchasing Team Leader

Salary: Starting salary £14,565 for first 12 months, rising to National Minimum Wage for age (37 hours)

Annual Leave: 30 days per annum plus bank holidays

Contractual hours: 37 hours per week

Basis: Full time, Fixed Term - 21 months AAT Level 2/3/4

Pension: NEST

Location: Middlesbrough College Main Campus, TS2 1AD

The Role

We are looking for a motivated Finance Apprentice to join our busy Finance Department and provide accurate, timely and effective financial administration support across the College whilst working towards a Level 2 AAT qualification (with possible progression onto level 3 and 4). In this varied role, you will help ensure all transactional finance processes are completed to a high standard and in line with College policies, funding body requirements and relevant financial regulations. You will play an important part in maintaining strong financial controls, supporting audit and compliance activity, and contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the Finance function.

Key Responsibilities

• To assist and support the Purchasing team to accurately input and record supplier invoices, matching to purchase orders, including the correct recording of VAT
• To process electronic purchase requests, and distribute official Purchase Orders via email to suppliers and relevant staff members, ensuring that the Goods In office are informed of pending deliveries
• Monitoring of the Purchasing email inbox to include the sorting of invoices, credit notes, and statements; and responding to general Purchasing enquiries
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records within the College’s finance system
• Support the reconciliation of control accounts, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, and other general ledger accounts
• Identify errors or anomalies and escalate issues as appropriate
• Contribute to the maintenance of effective segregation of duties and internal controls
• To assist with the categorising of suppliers and to update supplier cards with category information to aid the reporting function
• To assist with query resolution from various sources, including but not limited to face to face, email and telephone

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Good communication skills.
• Basic IT skills.
• Good team worker.
• Commitment to quality of work with attention to detail.
• Commitment to achievement of AAT Level 2/3/4.
• Commitment to continued personal development.
• Commit to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the College.

Qualifications

• 3 GCSEs at Grades A-C (including English & Maths) or equivalent

• A commitment to undertake any mandatory training relevant to the role

Please see the person specification for full details.

Why Join Us?

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.

• Health & Wellbeing; free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family

• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.

• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities

• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days

• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon

• College benefit scheme – College Extras:

• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants

• Discounted gift cards for big brands

• Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Coming soon: EV leasing

• Discounted onsite car parking

To learn more about working at Middlesbrough College, please visit our Work For Us page.

For further details and to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Rachel Wykman,  Purchasing Team Leader on rh.wykman@mbro.ac.uk.

Are you ready to make your mark?

If you’re looking to join a team that cares about their staff wellbeing, values their personal development and works with them to have a positive impact on student experience, come to Middlesbrough College!

About Middlesbrough College

Middlesbrough College is a leading provider of education and training in the North East, offering A-levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and degree-level qualifications. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to staff development, we’re proud to create opportunities for learners and colleagues alike, fostering an environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and make a real difference.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Across our campus and community, Middlesbrough College is driven by a clear vision, mission, and values that not only shape what we do for students—but also make us a great place to work, grow, and thrive. Find out more here.

Safeguarding Our Students

Middlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. If you’re successful, you’ll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

Right to work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Targeted Retention Scheme

Eligible FE teachers in their first five years could receive a £2,000–£6,000 Targeted Retention Incentive for teaching key subjects ( construction, chemistry, computing/ICT, early years, engineering, maths, physics). Check full criteria and application window on GOV.UK.

Recruitment Process

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.

Equality & Diversity

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make recruitment decisions based on skills and experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.

Job Description - Job Description