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- Tasks: Join our Finance team, handling financial transactions while studying for a recognised qualification.
- Company: East Suffolk Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, enjoy generous holidays, and access great training opportunities.
- Other info: Attend our open evenings to learn more about the apprenticeship and meet the team!
- Why this job: Kickstart your finance career with hands-on experience and a fully funded apprenticeship.
- Qualifications: Strong IT skills and four GCSEs at grade C or equivalent; passion for customer service is essential.
The predicted salary is between 16341 - 24521 £ per year.
Location: East Suffolk House, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT or Riverside, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OEQ, depending on candidate preference
Salary: £16,341 (Year 1) rising to £24,521 (Year 2) per annum, NLW (National Living Wage)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 21 months as a training contract, Starting date 14 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 motivated 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 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:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong IT skills
- Ideally four GCSEs at grade C or grade 4–9 (or equivalent)
Candidates without GCSE Maths and/or English will have the opportunity to gain these qualifications during the apprenticeship. No previous experience is required, as full training will be provided, however a passion to be a positive and professional ambassador for the council and provide the best experience for our customers is a must.
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding two open evenings at our Melton and Lowestoft offices. This will give you the opportunity to find out more about East Suffolk Council’s apprenticeship scheme, learn more about each of our available opportunities direct from the placement managers and ask any questions you have. The open evenings are taking place on the following dates:
- Tuesday 12 May 2026, 5.30pm – 7.00pm at the East Suffolk House offices (Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT).
- Thursday 14 May 2026, 5.30pm – 7.00pm at the Riverside Offices (4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ).
Please email HR@eastsuffolk.gov.uk to book your place at one of our open evenings.
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.
For more information, please see our benefits brochure for further information.
For an informal discussion regarding this post, please email HR@eastsuffolk.gov.uk and we will arrange a date/time.
If you think you could bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a different perspective to East Suffolk Council, we would like to hear from you!
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 8 June 2026.
Interview date: Weeks commencing 29 June and 6 July 2026.
How to apply:
- Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification.
- Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template.
- Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our career site.
Finance Apprentice in Lowestoft employer: Suffolk Jobs Direct
Contact Detail:
Suffolk Jobs Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Apprentice in Lowestoft
✨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 the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate or family member and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions like 'Why do you want to work here?' or 'What can you bring to the team?'. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! During the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your passion for finance and how you can contribute to the council's mission. Remember, they’re looking for someone who fits in with their culture, so be yourself!
✨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 shows good manners and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Apprentice in Lowestoft
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what East Suffolk Council is looking for and how you can tailor your application to match their needs.
Use the Supporting Statement Wisely: The Supporting Statement is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your skills and experiences that align with the role. Be specific and give examples to show how you fit the bill.
Keep it Professional but Personal: While we want you to be yourself, remember to keep it professional. Use a friendly tone but avoid slang or overly casual language. Show your enthusiasm for the role and the council!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the resources you need to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk Jobs Direct
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of finance and accounting. Brush up on key terms like 'accounts payable' and 'accounts receivable', as well as the importance of VAT compliance. This will show your enthusiasm for the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Interpersonal Skills
Since excellent interpersonal skills are a must for this position, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated or resolved issues with others. Be ready to share these stories during the interview to demonstrate your ability to be a positive ambassador for the council.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship scheme or the finance team. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to learn more about what it’s like to work at East Suffolk Council. For example, you could ask about the training opportunities available during the apprenticeship.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The council is looking for motivated individuals who can bring fresh ideas. So, relax, be genuine, and let them see your passion for making a difference in the community.