Finance Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Discover a career in finance with an apprenticeship at HMRC. Are you interested in starting or continuing your career in finance? Can you use your brilliant attention to detail skills to complete work to a high standard? Like the idea of work placements across a range of Finance teams, which will give you a unique experience of how finance works within HMRC?

You will study towards an Association of Accounting Technicians Level 3 & Level 4 apprenticeship. This is a 3-year programme, with 2x18 month placements on the scheme. Following your first 18 months on the scheme (at Administrative Officer grade) and subject to meeting the required milestones of the scheme (satisfactory progress with study programme & Line Manager endorsement), you will have the opportunity to apply for advancement to Officer grade through an assessment process and if successful you will be offered a permanent contract for the remainder of the scheme. You will progress on to complete the AAT Level 4 apprenticeship for a further 18 months in a new placement.

Your work placement responsibilities may include:

• Financial Accounting: understanding the accounting and financial activities of HMRC, documenting, summarising and reporting information.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: developing effective financial management and budget control skills, monitoring budgets on behalf of your business area.
• Financial Data: using in-house systems to provide accurate financial data reports.
• Financial Statements: using your analytical skills to produce accurate and timely reports and interpreting the financial data if necessary.

About you: You have exceptional communication skills and can use clear and concise language to convey your opinions and ideas, including making best use of digital resources. You have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills. You demonstrate a clear enthusiasm for finance and a commitment to ongoing learning. You enjoy finding creative solutions to problems and using these solutions to inform decisions. You have good interpersonal skills and are comfortable dealing with others.

Essential Criteria: External Applicants will require 5 GCSEs - grades 9-4 or grades A* to C, including Maths and English or equivalent. Existing Civil Servants will require GCSE Maths & English, Grades 4-9. Applicants cannot be on, or have started, another apprenticeship or government funded course, including anyone who has already used Apprenticeship Levy funding for a Finance & Accounting qualification. Aged 16 or over by 1 September 2026.

Important Information: Existing Civil Servants currently at a higher grade than AO, will be opting to voluntarily downgrade if successful which would be a permanent change to your terms and conditions. All applicants should refer to the FAQs to understand terms of the apprenticeship employment contracts. As part of the application process, all applicants must pass our external training provider's eligibility assessment for the apprenticeship. You will be assessed against Level 3 apprenticeship standard. Your appointment will not be confirmed until this assessment has been completed.

Benefits: Alongside your salary of £28,016, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £8,116 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.

Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience. There are five stages:

• Stage 1: Application form
• Stage 2: Online tests
• Stage 3: Pre-Recorded Interview
• Stage 4: Virtual Assessment Centre

Eligibility: Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. This role is not eligible for skilled worker sponsorship.

Hybrid working at HMRC: HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month.

Reasonable Adjustments: We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, please contact us as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.