At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Finance team, processing invoices and preparing sales invoices while studying for a recognised qualification.
- Company: East Suffolk Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn with generous holiday, flexible working, and great discounts.
- Other info: Exciting training opportunities and a supportive environment with a strong apprentice network.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience and a widely recognised AAT qualification to kickstart your finance career.
- Qualifications: 4 GCSEs at grade C/4-9 including English and Maths; no prior experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 16341 - 24521 € per year.
East Suffolk Council, Melton (IP12 1RT) or Lowestoft (NR33 OEQ) (depending on candidate preference)
Year 1 - £16,341 per annum; Year 2 - £24,521 per annum (NLW)
37 hours per week
21-month training contract
Start date - 14th September 2026
East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people's lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We have an established and successful apprenticeship scheme, which has seen over 80% of apprentices stay on beyond their apprenticeships to develop promising careers with the Council.
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity where you can earn money as well as gaining experience and a recognised qualification, then look no further! A fantastic opportunity has arisen for two enthusiastic apprentices to join East Suffolk Council's Finance team as a Finance Apprentice. This opportunity will give you the chance to work within our Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams dealing with day-to-day financial transactions whilst studying for an accredited Finance qualification.
Your role
Your time will be spent working within either the Accounts Payable Team, processing invoices, checking for VAT compliance and dealing with queries from Council Service areas or within our Accounts Receivables team preparing sales invoices and monitoring mailboxes. These positions will rotate to ensure you get experience of both the Accounts Payables and Accounts Receivables teams which will help to support your studying. You will also learn how to use the Council's financial system, a key skill that can be applied in many roles going forwards.
This role will enable you to study AAT Level 2 providing a basic understanding in essential accounting entries such as double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing. This is a widely recognised qualification, and along with experience working within our Finance Team will provide an excellent basis for your future career.
You will need
You will need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills and IT skills and a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4-9 (or equivalent) including English and Maths (for entry onto the AAT course). No previous experience is required as full training will be provided.
Why work for us
East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. Here are some of the main benefits:
- A fully funded and supported Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship.
- Generous holiday entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays).
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Local government pension scheme.
- The opportunity to meet and work alongside other apprentices in the organisation.
- Great training and development opportunities to add to your CV.
- A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
- Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.
Closing date: 11:30pm on 8th June 2026
Interview date: w/c 29th June 2026 and w/c 6th July 2026
Finance Apprentice in Suffolk employer: East Suffolk Council
East Suffolk Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where apprentices can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including flexible working arrangements and a local government pension scheme, as well as a successful apprenticeship programme that boasts an impressive retention rate, this is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to build a meaningful career in finance while making a positive impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Apprentice in Suffolk
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on East Suffolk Council. Understand their values, services, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your skills and why you want to be a Finance Apprentice.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your enthusiasm! During the interview, let your passion for finance and learning shine through. Talk about how excited you are to gain experience and contribute to the team at East Suffolk Council.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Apprentice in Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:Let your passion for finance shine through in your application! We want to see that you're excited about the opportunity to learn and grow with us at East Suffolk Council.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences, even if they’re from school projects or part-time jobs. We love seeing how you can bring your unique background into the Finance Apprentice role!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this apprenticeship. Be personal, be genuine, and don’t forget to mention why you want to work with us specifically!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Suffolk Council
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on basic finance concepts and terminology. Since this role involves working with invoices and financial transactions, being familiar with terms like VAT compliance and double-entry bookkeeping will show your enthusiasm and readiness to learn.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As you'll be dealing with queries from various Council service areas, it's crucial to demonstrate your written and verbal communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past situations, whether in school projects or part-time jobs.
✨Research East Suffolk Council
Take some time to understand the Council's mission and the services it provides. Knowing about their work and how the Finance team contributes can help you answer questions more thoughtfully and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about the apprenticeship programme, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like in the Finance team. This shows your eagerness to engage and learn more about the position.
