Finance Apprentice

**Employer Description**

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is the organisation responsible for providing ambulance services for the National Health Service across South West England.

Medical emergencies happen at all times of the day and night. SWASFT operates a 24-hour clinical response to 999 calls to ensure patients receive the right care as quickly as possible - wherever and whenever they need it.

SWASFT ambulances cover the largest land mass in England the following areas:

- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Wiltshire
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire

**Training to be provided**

You will undertake the “Accounts / Finance Assistant” Apprenticeship (an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Accounting), with full support from Accountancy Learning as part of their Apprenticeship Programme.

Assessment will be by an “End Point Assessment”, which will include the following two elements:

- A Structured Interview. This will consist of 10 questions asked by an AAT Independent Assessor. It will last 60 minutes and will be performed remotely via the AAT on-line video portal. The questions will allowing you to to display the knowledge and experience you have obtained over your apprenticeship. You will build a Portfolio of reflections and product evidence that will be used to support your answers to these 10 questions.
- An In-tray Test. This will be undertaken under exam conditions and will last 105 minutes. It will be based on what you have studied in your AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting.

Successful completion of the AAT (Level 2) Foundation Certificate in Accounting is a mandatory element of the Accounts / Finance Assistant Apprenticeship. Your Apprenticeship will therefore include formal studies towards this qualification. It is anticipated that your apprenticeship duration will be for 15 months, although earlier completion is possible, provided the duration exceeds one year and a week.

You will receive support from both the employer, and the training provider, to complete and achieve your Apprenticeship and will be given time to study during the week on a day release basis. As you are working towards a professional qualification, it is also expected that you will continue your studies outside of normal office hours.

As you learn more in both the office and in your studies your responsibilities, and the variety of tasks you undertake, are expected to increase.

**Working Week**

Monday to Friday working between 8.00am to 5.30pm, the Trust offers flexible working within these hours.

**Expected Duration of Apprenticeship**

12 months, although may be extended as there is one paermanent position available.

**Vacancy description**

To provide support to the member of the Finance and Performance department, working closely with the members of the department to ensure that the team provide a high level of financial support and performance management to the Trust.

Assist with the preparation of monthly accounts within set procedures generating timely and accurate information. This will include the preparation of accrual and prepayment journals to be processed on the account ledger.

As part of the finance team**:

- Work closely with the finance team to provide assistance and support as required to ensure the timely and accurate production of financial reports for the Trust.
- Assist with the preparation of monthly accounts within set procedures generating timely and accurate information. This will include the preparation of accrual and prepayment journals to be processed on the account ledger.
- Manage the flow of non-purchase order invoices in the Trust to be authorised in a timely manner.
- Liaise with SBS on invoice queries.
- Raise sales ledger invoices.
- Support preparation of the Trust cash flow forecast.
- Process payment requests.
- Assist finance in monthly reconciliation of the balance sheet.
- Assist in the monthly reconciliation of the fixed asset.
- Assist in reconciling monthly finance leases.
- Assist with the processing of the Trust charitable funds.
- Assist the Procurement Team in the data entry and processing of orders for goods and services as required to ensure the timely processing of data to meet the requirements of the Trust.
- Assist in the financial year end.

The postholder will be required to provide and receive routine information to and from the following:

- All areas of the Finance Team
- Other support services
- Budget holders at all levels throughout the Trust
- Trust employees

**Desired Skills**

Attention to detail, accurate, highly competent Excel skills, strong customer service ethos.

**Personal Qualities**

Flexible, strong team player, willingness to really get involved with all aspects of the business and an ambition to grow with it. A positive attitude and a sparkle in the eye

**Qualifications Required**

A minimum of 2 A Levels, grades A to C, plus a