Apprentice Finance Assistant

In your role, you will be accountable for: 

Prepare and issue invoices, reminder and exclusion letters and monthly statements Check and bank cash received from across college To update income to Open Accounts ensuring that VAT is correctly applied on each category of income To request and process credit notes where needed on receipt of appropriate authorisation Create products on the college online store Undertake credit control through to recommendation for legal action for an agreed range of customers accounts Work with curriculum areas to resolve customer account issues Assist in the monitoring of Advanced Learner Loans and Student Loans Maintain records of any debt collection action taken in the finance system Liaise with audit teams if required Work as part of the enrolment team covering finance elements of the process Open and distribute incoming mail and email on a rota basis Update job manuals in area of responsibility on a regular basis Support the Income Manager with ad hoc requests as they arise Work within the Purchase Ledger function as required, supporting the accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices, payments and related queries To assist in general finance office cover where required Build effective working relationships with managers and advise on processes within the postholders remit, to facilitate the best outcomes for the college Any other duties commensurate with the level of the post that may be required from time to time

There are things that we are all accountable for, whatever your role, these are:  

Embedding safeguarding into your/your teams working practices and escalating any safeguarding concerns immediately in line with the college’s safeguarding policy Embedding Health and Safety best practices and ensuring a safe working environment for everyone within your area of responsibility, according to the Health and Safety at Work Act Being a champion and advocate for Equality and Diversity throughout college Behaving in a manner that displays British values Being committed to reviews of your performance and your own Continuous Professional Development

To be successful in this role you will have the following: 

Technical & People Skills/Impact & Influence:

Ability to use initiative and be innovative in resolving issues quickly and decisively Excellent organisational skills with the ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and to a wide range of audiences Ability to work well as part of a team Flexible attitude to work and working hours Demonstrable record of success in a customer service working environment, and a commitment to providing a first-class service It would be desirable if you have an understanding of accounting processes, and how the different process streams interact It would be desirable if you have evidence of working with others to improve practice

College values and behaviours:

Evidence of being able to demonstrate our college values in action:

Kindness Unity Excellence

Please take a look at our website for more information on our values.

Training:

The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out accounting and finance tasks. These tasks support the creation of items such as financial statements and other data. Their work is carried out under supervision following set procedures for most tasks. Such tasks may include financial data entry, reconciling figures, trial balances, double-entry bookkeeping, handling accounts payable and receivable. The accounts or finance assistant is responsible for assisting accountants with routine duties. These can vary depending on the team structure and size of business. They use digital finance and accounting systems and tools to collate and enter data. 

An accounts or finance assistant’s work would include tasks such as financial and accounting data entry and basic bookkeeping duties. They will also work with sales or purchase ledgers. They will run calculations to ensure that records and payments are correct and may be involved in the recording of cash transactions. 

All Accounts/Finance Assistants will gather work-based evidence and attend classes to meet the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours.

We will be delivering the industry recognised AAT (Association of Accounting Technician) Certificate in Accounting Level 2 as part of this apprenticeship standard.   
 
This qualification comprises four mandatory units: 

Introduction to Bookkeeping Principles of Bookkeeping Controls Principles of Costing The Business Environment

The duration of the apprenticeship is 15-months; to allow confirmation of successful examination results/re-sits as well as completion of the required End Point Assessment.

The two End Point Assessment methods are:

Assessment method 1 - knowledge test - integrated Assessment method 2 - interview: Structured interview (supported by a portfolio of evidence summary)

As part of your contract of employment completion of the Apprenticeship Training Programme forms part of your duties as well as helping your personal and professional development; the requirements to complete the programme are as follows: 

Attend and be punctual for all induction session, lessons, work-based training/support sessions Complete all required assignments by the required timeline. Build up your portfolio of evidence on-going Access support from tutor/assessor/manager as and when required

Training Outcome:

Whilst there will be no guarantee of a substantive position with the college at the end of the period, the college will guide, support and encourage suitable apprentices to apply for appropriate vacancies as and when they arise.

The college has a very good record of supporting workers through in-house apprenticeships, and many apprentices have secured employment with the college beyond their apprenticeship.

There may be a full-time position for the candidate to apply for, subject to successful completion of the apprenticeship and employment targets.

Employer Description:

Our mission is creating opportunities, changing lives and this is at the heart of everything we do. The college has a common set of values for both students and staff: Kindness, Unity and Excellence, and they define how we behave and interact with each other. Kirklees College is a uniquely vocational college whose student community reflects the diversity of the local area. We offer inspirational teaching in industry standard, state-of-the-art facilities and ensure curriculum is developed with employers to enable students to progress. At Kirklees College we aim to foster an honest and compassionate approach to ourselves, our people and environment, develop a shared purpose across our community, and set a culture of high aspiration, expectation and success. We strive to be ahead of the curve in our approach to teaching and learning and be a first-choice provider for students and industry alike. With over 10,000 students on full-time and part-time courses, and apprenticeships, we provide seven bespoke centres across the Kirklees region, from two main centres based in Dewsbury and Huddersfield, and dedicated learning centres for Animal Care, Construction, Engineering, Process Manufacturing and Higher Education.

Working Hours :
Monday to Thursday - 8.30am until 5pm, Friday 8.30am until 4.30pm. Predominantly based at Waterfront Centre with requirement to travel to other sites.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Problem solving skills,Presentation skills,Administrative skills,Number skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Microsoft Office