Apprentice Finance Assistant - 37

The Co Operative Academies Trust, Manchester, M60 0AG

16 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  16 October 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  30 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: NJC 10-11 £27,694 - £28,142 (Pay award pending)

Apprentice Finance Assistant - 37 job summary

Apprentice Finance Assistant

Contract Type: Fixed-term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship (with the intention and hope to progress onto a permanent role upon successful completion, depending on business needs)

Location: Hybrid working – 2 days per week in our central Manchester office (Angel Square), with the remainder working remotely

Reports to: Senior Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger Supervisor

About the Role

Are you looking to kick-start a rewarding career in finance while earning a competitive salary and gaining a formal qualification?

As our Apprentice Finance Assistant, you will join our welcoming Central Trust Finance team, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while working towards your AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting.

Working closely alongside experienced finance professionals, you’ll receive dedicated mentoring and close guidance as you build core accounting skills. Your day-to-day focus will centre around our Purchase to Pay (P2P) operations and general financial administration.

Key duties include:

Purchase Ledger & P2P: Processing supplier invoices, performing basic 3-way matching with purchase orders and goods received notes, and resolving straightforward supplier queries.

Sales Ledger & Master Data: Raising sales invoices, assisting with routine credit control reminders, and helping maintain accurate supplier and debtor records.

Payments & Expenses: Collating payment run documentation and reviewing credit card logs and receipts.

Inbox & Team Support: Monitoring the central finance mailbox, handling routine queries, and ensuring digital and physical filing systems are kept audit-ready.

Who / What We Are Looking For

We don't expect you to know everything on day one—that’s what the apprenticeship is for! We are looking for someone enthusiastic, organised, and eager to learn.

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications: GCSEs (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English Language at Grade C/4 or above.

Experience: Basic experience in an administrative, customer service, or office-based environment.

IT Skills: Proficiency in standard office software (such as MS Excel/Word or Google Sheets/Docs).

Personal Attributes: Strong numerical skills, great attention to detail, and good written and polite verbal communication.

Work Ethic: A positive, proactive attitude, high integrity when handling sensitive data, and a commitment to completing the coursework and portfolio required for the Level 3 AAT qualification.

Values: A alignment with co-operative values and principles, British Values, and the Ways of Being Co-op.

What We Offer

Paid Qualification: Full support and study time to complete your AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting.

Mentorship & Career Growth: Direct mentoring from experienced colleagues in a supportive, collaborative central finance team.

Flexible Working: Hybrid setup requiring just 2 days a week in our central Manchester office (Angel Square).

Competitive Pay: NJC Payscale SCP 10 – 11.

Future Prospects: This position is offered on a fixed-term basis for the duration of your apprenticeship. While progression to a permanent role cannot be guaranteed, it is very much our aim and hope to retain successful apprentices within the Trust as permanent opportunities arise.

How to Apply

If you're ready to take the first step towards a career in finance within an organisation dedicated to making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your application form via our recruitment portal by [Insert Closing Date].

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its top priority. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value variety and individual differences, and aim to create a culture, environment and practices at all levels which encompass acceptance, respect and inclusion. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Co Operative Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-co-operative-academies-trust

Why us?
Co-op Academies Trust is a place where you are part of something bigger, through a leading education and opportunities to serve our community, we are working together to make a better world.

From ages 3-19 Co-op Academies Trust supports students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the North of England, giving children the skills and experiences they need to succeed, no matter where they come from.

What makes our Trust unique is that we are sponsored by the Co-op Group. That close relationship means that we benefit from all the business expertise that has seen the Co-op grow to one of the most respected, successful businesses in the country.

Everyone in the Trust honours our fundamental commitment to the Ways of Being Co-op. They are our DNA; they represent our culture and reflect the rationale behind our decision-making. No matter what we do, they are how we do it.

Our ways of being are:

Be Yourself, Always
Show You Care
Do What Matters Most
Succeed Together
In 2025, we have 38 academies as part of the Co-op family, across 4 regions.

Our Values
Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you!

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:
Benefits include:

You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores.
Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more
Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
Co-op Funeralcare benefit
Season ticket and rental deposit loans
And More!

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

The Trust is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.

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