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- Tasks: Gain hands-on finance experience while working on meaningful projects.
- Company: Join Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and health perks.
- Why this job: Kickstart your finance career with real impact and support.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus 3 A Levels or equivalent.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 980 £ per month.
Start your Finance career with Thames Water. Join Thames Water as a Financial Controller Apprentice and gain hands-on experience working with skilled finance professionals. You’ll learn the ins and outs of accounting, reporting, and financial management, tackling meaningful projects.
What you’ll be doing as a Financial Controller Apprentice:
- Improve developer services by streamlining systems and processes.
- Ensure accurate financial recording, reconciliation, and timely period-end close.
- Provide clear insights on results and key cost drivers.
- Prepare audit-ready financial information and support year-end.
- Enhance finance processes for efficiency and consistency.
- Support regulatory returns and monitor reporting requirements.
- Deliver ad-hoc analysis to boost cost visibility and business cases.
Where you will work:
Location: Clearwater Court, Reading, RG1 8DB
Hours: 36 hours a week across four working days plus one off-the-job training day
Start date: September 2026
Training and qualification:
You’ll study with First Intuition, one of the UK’s leading finance training providers, through classroom and online learning, face-to-face and live online development days, with support from a dedicated skills coach and access to an online learning platform throughout your programme.
Qualification achieved: Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Standard Level 3 or Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Standard & AAT level 4
Duration: Permanent contract with an 18-month structured programme
What you should bring to the role:
- GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A-C)
- 3 A Levels (or predicted) in relevant subjects
- To be eligible for the Level 4 apprenticeship they need to have completed level 3 AAT or equivalent. If you do not hold the level 3 you will need to start at level 3
- Good communication and time management skills
- Able to work well in a team and independently
What’s in it for you?
- Excellent salary: £22,500 annum
- Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year increasing to 28 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.
Working at Thames Water:
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.
Why choose us?
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Finance Controller Apprentice - Reading employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Controller Apprentice - Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Thames Water and understand their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to finance and teamwork. Think about how your skills align with the role of a Financial Controller Apprentice and be ready to share examples from your experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Thames Water family and starting your finance career with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Controller Apprentice - Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Financial Controller Apprentice role. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that match what we're looking for, like your understanding of financial processes or teamwork abilities.
Show Your Passion: Let us know why you're excited about starting a career in finance with Thames Water. Share your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to our mission of providing excellent service to our customers.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let us know who you are!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Controller Apprentice, you'll be dealing with numbers daily. Brush up on your accounting principles and financial management basics. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure accurate financial recording and reconciliation.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Good communication is key in finance roles. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to provide clear insights on results and key cost drivers.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Thames Water values teamwork, so be prepared to share experiences where you've worked well in a team or independently. Highlight how you can contribute to enhancing finance processes for efficiency and consistency.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the types of projects you might tackle or how the team supports regulatory returns. This shows you're engaged and eager to learn.