Summary
Foundation of Light are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, driven Finance apprentice to support the wider Finance Team. Apply now!
Wage
£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday. Shifts tbc.
35 hours a week
Start date
Monday 26 May 2025
Duration
1 year 3 months
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
Main Duties:
To support the Finance Department to maintain efficient and effective accounting functions across the organisation. Assist with daily routine duties around sales and purchase ledger, gathering and inputting of all financial data into digital finance and accounting systems. Gain valuable work experience to support your career development and achieve a recognised Finance qualification.
* Sales Invoice and credit control
* Purchase order system management
* Reconciliations
* Purchase Ledger
* Use of digital finance and accounting systems and tools
* Accounting Data Entry
* Cash book management and transactions
* Bank reconciliations
* Month-end accounting process, including preparing and posting monthly accruals and other journals to the Sage system
* Preparing supplier payments for authorisation
* Upkeep of the Fixed Asset Register
* Supporting with the preparation and payment of expenses
* Additional project work with the Finance Team
* Assisting with reports and funding returns
* Completion of a recognised Finance qualification as part of an apprenticeship
Other Duties:
* Embed EDI in all aspects of work
* Assist in data collection and analysis, providing accurate management information systems for data-led decisions
You will be required to undertake other duties from time to time as required.
Any potential permanent changes to your role will be discussed, and an agreement reached prior to being undertaken. You will be notified of any permanent change in writing. In addition to your normal duties, you may be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the Foundation of Light.
Behaviour and professional expectations:
* Maintain working practices in line with Foundation of Light Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Safeguarding policies, self-awareness of own responsibility in these areas
* Ensure regulatory and legislative requirements are always met
* Conduct should reflect the Staff Behaviour Policy (Code of Conduct); uphold Foundation core values (as shown below) at all times
* Maintain the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
* Attend working groups and CPD session as required
* Build strong internal relationships
* Work in collaboration with colleagues to achieve the end goal
* Ensure positive organisational messages and culture are maintained
* Contribute to good housekeeping across all Foundation sites and equipment
* Follow the Foundation’s policies and procedures at all times.
Foundation of Light Values:
Innovative, Passionate, Excellence, Collaborative, Integrity, Agile.
Where you’ll work
Beacon Of Light Ltd, Beacon Of Light, Stadium Park
Sunderland
SR5 1SN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
Your training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
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.
* 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.
Your training plan
* You will be enrolled on a Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant Apprenticeship
* You will attend New College Durham one day per week for face-to-face sessions
* Ongoing training and support will be provided through the Foundation of Light and New College Durham
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* Maths (grade 4)
* English (grade 4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Communication skills
* Patience
Other requirements
You must be able to travel to Sunderland and New College Durham each week. Interested applicants should complete an Expression of Interest form to gemma.snaith@foundationoflight.co.uk