Finance Apprentice

Finance Apprentice @ Odyssey Collaborative Trust

Location: The Hub, Borrowash Road, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7PH

PLEASE NOTE: This position is for immediate start.

WHO are Odyssey Collaborative Trust?

Odyssey Collaborative Trust is a family of schools working together across a close geographical area to ensure that every child thrives. They believe that strong schools are built through collaboration, trust and a shared moral purpose, where every child, every colleague and every community matters.

WHAT will I get from working with Odyssey Collaborative Trust?

• EARN: £8 per hour, 35 hours per week (term time only, 39 weeks)
• EXPERIENCE- your hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4pm (30 minute lunch break)
• QUALIFICATION: AAT Level 2 takes approximately 14 months.
• BENEFITS: Professional growth & career pathways, wellbeing support, and funded Blue Light Card membership.

WHAT will my DAY look like?

You will support the efficient operation of the Trust finance function, gaining practical experience across a wide range of financial processes, supporting the Trust finance team in maintaining accurate financial records, processing transactions and delivering high-quality financial services to schools across the Trust. Your daily tasks will include:

• Maintaining accurate financial records and filing systems.
• Recording financial transactions using Trust finance systems.
• Assisting with month-end finance activities and reporting.
• Ensuring compliance with Trust financial procedures and audit requirements.
• Assisting with the processing of supplier invoices and credit notes.
• Matching invoices against purchase orders and goods received records.
• Supporting supplier payment runs and responding to supplier queries.
• Assisting with bank reconciliations and control account reconciliations.
• Investigating discrepancies and escalating issues where required.
• Assisting in preparing information for VAT returns.
• Assisting with payroll administration tasks.
• Inputting employee information and supporting payroll reporting processes.
• Providing excellent customer service when dealing with staff, parents, suppliers and other stakeholders, responding to enquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Assisting with HR administration activities, including the preparation of contracts, maintaining personnel records, processing routine employment documentation and supporting recruitment processes.
• Assisting with maintaining and updating Trust and school websites, ensuring content remains accurate, relevant and compliant.
• Maintaining supplier records within the EVERY software system, ensuring all supplier and company information is accurate and up to date. Process the setup of new suppliers and update existing records as required.
• Assisting with the organisation of meetings, events and training activities, including preparing documentation and taking notes where required.
• Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post as reasonably required by the Senior Finance Officer, Chief Finance Officer or other senior leaders.
• Minimum of 6 hours per week spent on apprenticeship work and training.

HOW does the Apprenticeship work?

You’ll work towards the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting through monthly 1-to-1 online sessions (via MS Teams – so NO classroom OR college).

Your AAT Tutor will support you with the study and completion of the Mandatory Qualification ‘Certificate in Accounting.’ This contains 4 modules that will each take approximately 2 months each to complete. You will sit a mandatory online exam after completing each module that you must pass in order to gain your AAT Level 2 Qualification. Modules include Introduction to Bookkeeping, Principles of Bookkeeping controls, Principles of Costing and The Business Environment.

Your Skills Coach will help to develop your working skills such as communication and problem solving along with active learning and study of topics including Ethical Standards, Accounting Systems & Processes and work with your AAT Tutor to support your work towards the ‘Certificate in Accounting.’

You will be given a minimum of 6 hours per week to complete any apprenticeship work (assignments, research, projects and revision) all completed in the workplace, during working hours.

WHAT skills/qualifications do I NEED?

• Minimum GRADE 5/B in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths & English.
• UK Residency – must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
• A-Level Maths, Business, Economics (desirable).
• Communication & team working.
• IT, number & organisation skills.
• Reliable, trustworthy & positive attitude.

What happens next?

If your application is successful, you will receive a call from our dedicated Recruitment Consultant who will discuss the qualification, location and course length in more detail. Following this call, you will be asked to write a supporting statement and complete an English and Maths assessment.

If you really want to impress us, why not show your enthusiasm and carry out some further research on the employer and the qualification you’ll be working towards! Links are provided below:

Employer Website: https://www.odysseyct.org.uk/

About the Qualification: https://www.ctskills.co.uk/apprenticeships/accountancy