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- Tasks: Join us as an Apprentice Accountant, learning bookkeeping, audit, and taxation hands-on.
- Company: Clay Ratnage & Co. has been supporting businesses since 1927 with a friendly, general practice approach.
- Benefits: Earn £16,000 a year, enjoy 20 days annual leave, and receive regular pay reviews.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience while studying for your AAT qualification in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English (grade 5/C or above) plus 3 other subjects required.
- Other info: Training includes classroom sessions in Chelmsford and hands-on experience at our Wickford office.
Summary
We are looking for an energetic and driven apprentice to join the team at our Wickford office. With a mixture of classroom teaching in Chelmsford and in-house training at our Wickford office, we will provide you with a rounded training programme with exposure to many different areas of accounting, including: Bookkeeping, Audit and Taxation.
Wage
£16,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay and Performance reviews every 6 months
Training course Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Hours Monday to Thursday, 9.00 am – 5:30pm. Friday, 8:30am – 5.00pm. 1 hour\’s lunch to be taken between 12.00pm and 2.00pm. 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas to New Year.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date
Monday 4 August 2025
Duration
1 year
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
The successful applicant will be expected to carry out the following:
- Preparing, recording and processing data
- Accounting work on Excel
- Use desktop and cloud-based accounting software
- Audit system testing in the office and offsite
- Communicating with clients
- General administrative duties in the office
Where you\’ll work
Construction House
Runwell Road
Wickford
SS11 7HQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You\’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
FIRST INTUITION CHELMSFORD LIMITED
Your training course
Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you\’ll learn
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
After completion of your A Level or GCSE studies, you will join as an apprentice and study for the Level 2 AAT qualification. You will start on the level 2 apprenticeship scheme, depending on your qualifications, before moving to the next level.
The successful candidate will be required to attend weekday courses, once a week, at First Intuition Chelmsford, Southend or Colchester to study towards their AAT qualification as well as mentoring towards the apprenticeship knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
More training information
You will be required to travel to work at our Wickford office plus to your AAT Training Provider, First Intuition. They have sites across Essex in Chelmsford, Southend and Colchester. Please ensure you are able to travel to these locations before submitting your application.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 3 other subjects (grade 5 / C or above)
- Maths and English (grade 5 / C or above)
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
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Able to meet deadlines
- Work well under pressure
About this company
Clay Ratnage & Co. was established in East London in 1927. Our business has 5 partners and approximately 45 staff operating from three offices in Romford, Wickford and Grays. Our accountancy practice has been built around providing support to businesses in Essex, London and the surrounding areas and, whilst this continues to comprise the largest part of our client base, we now have a wide variety of clients across the UK and beyond. The philosophy of our business has been to maintain a \”general practice\” approach meaning all staff have extensive experience of accounts, tax and audit and are, therefore, able to provide tailored assistance with day-to-day queries that arise. We also have a specialist Tax department to deal with more complicated tax matters and a specialist Wills and Probate department. We aim to provide a timely and cost effective service and look to build long-term relationships with our clients by delivering our services in a friendly and helpful manner. Due to the longevity of the firm, we have experience in virtually all business sectors but pride ourselves in our specialist knowledge of the building, property, manufacturing and retail sectors, in addition to our long-standing involvement with charities.
https://clayratnage.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
On successful completion of your AAT qualification, we will encourage you to move to level 7 apprenticeship working towards either an ACCA or ICAEW qualification. Our friendly and supportive staff and training network will provide you with the help you need to progress through the exam process.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FIRST INTUITION CHELMSFORD LIMITED
Naomi Reed
naomireed@fi.co.uk
01245 209900
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000330889.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 25 July 2025 at 11:59pm)
When you apply, you\’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.
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Apprentice Accountant employer: Government jobs, apprenticeship
Contact Detail:
Government jobs, apprenticeship Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with accounting software commonly used in the industry, such as Sage or QuickBooks. This will not only boost your confidence but also show us that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly functions like VLOOKUP and pivot tables. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in Excel during the interview can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Research our company, Clay Ratnage & Co., and understand our approach to accountancy. Knowing about our history and client base will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest in joining our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions to ask during your interview that reflect your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship. Inquiring about the training process or potential career progression shows that you're serious about your future with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and skills required for the Apprentice Accountant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your background aligns with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Make sure to mention your GCSEs in Maths and English, as well as any other relevant qualifications or experiences. If you have any additional skills or certifications related to accounting or finance, include those too.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss why you want to pursue an apprenticeship in accounting and how you can contribute to the team at Clay Ratnage & Co.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail, which is crucial in accounting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Government jobs, apprenticeship
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to learn about Clay Ratnage & Co. Understand their history, values, and the services they offer. This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest in the company.
✨Prepare for Common Questions
Think about common interview questions for an Apprentice Accountant role, such as your understanding of bookkeeping, your experience with Excel, or how you handle deadlines. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your communication, IT, and analytical skills during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in school projects or previous experiences.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the training programme, the team you'll be working with, or opportunities for progression after your apprenticeship. It shows you're engaged and thinking about your future.
