Job summary
UK Research and Innovation
Salary: �29,922
Hours: Full time�
Contract Type: Fixed Term apprenticeship for 3 years
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire OR Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire
Start Date: September 2024
Interviews: Initial interviews held via Zoom w/c 27th May; In-person interviews (meet and greet) at Polaris House 17th June
With a strong interest in launching a career in finance, we know that you want to use your talent, skill, and dedication to make a difference. At UKRI, you will get the opportunity to do just that. Our finance teams support world-leading science and innovation and enable ground-breaking research that will inspire, shape and define our future.
UKRI is the largest public sector funder of research and innovation with an annual budget of over �8bn. With a Finance team of just over 150 people across our UK sites, we have responsibility for enabling the delivery of high-quality financial services to ensure public funding for research and innovation is spent efficiently and effectively. We are part of the Government Finance Function with the ambitious vision to �put finance at the heart of decision making; driving the agenda, not just keeping score.�
Our impact is felt across the whole organisation where we work with policy makers, leadership teams, researchers, programme and project managers, engineers and scientists, to share perspectives and expertise, influence decisions, and put forward creative solutions to problems.�
Finance is a large department and the work is always varied. One day you might find yourself supporting UKRI�s overall budgeting and associated financial planning at Corporate and Council level; the next you may be providing financial advice or supporting the production of our Statutory Accounts. We can offer you real breadth of experience in a truly unique organisation.
Job description
The UKRI Finance Team are looking to recruit Graduate Apprentices to start in September 2024 based at Polaris House, Swindon and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. The role will incorporate a ACCA Level 7 Professional Accountant Apprenticeship, delivered by training provider First Intuition, alongside a challenging but rewarding role. We will fund and support your studies over a 3-year period to achieve full ACCA qualifications in addition to helping you develop a broader range of personal and professional skills. The Apprenticeship programme consists of exams and work-based learning, and so you should be prepared to work hard to achieve the substantial rewards these placements will offer.
For more information, please use the following links:
Key Accountabilities
Prior financial experience is not required, and this opportunity is ideal for graduates looking to start a career in finance or those who are looking for a career change.�
The key accountabilities will depend on the specifics of each placement. However, they are likely to include:
1. Carry out reconciliations, monitor expenditure / income and support the production of management accounts, including variance analysis
2. Cost centre and Project budget setup and maintenance
3. Maintain key spreadsheets and trackers, providing advice and analysis on the financial data
4. Prepare journals and collate backing papers and evidence to maintain an audit trail
5. Support writing the annual accounts and year end processes, including collating and preparing notes to the accounts
6. Supporting asset management, recording and physical verification
7. Preparing reports, including graphs and data to help explain numbers in reports
8. Preparing forecasts to help effective cash management
9. Support to the Governance team on the internal audit programme
10. Working with partners within UKRI
11. Develop knowledge of the rules and guidance that underpins Government Finance
12. Provide ad-hoc administrative tasks across the team
13. Take ownership for your learning and development under the apprenticeship.
During your training, you will be expected to be self-motivated, organised and able to follow policy whilst meeting deadlines. With great attention to detail, you�ll work diligently through the varied work assigned to you. We will provide the support to enable you to succeed.
We know it�s important to consider future career prospects and there are plenty of opportunities to continue your professional development after your initial apprenticeship within UKRI.
Important Considerations
14. To be considered for the apprenticeship, you will need to provide evidence of a Degree qualification or equivalent Level 6 qualification, and Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above.
15. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here
16. If you already have a Level 7 or equivalent qualification within Finance/Accountancy or similar, unfortunately we will be unable to consider your application
17. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received. Therefore we encourage you to apply as soon as possible in order to be considered.
Person specification
Shortlisting criteria
Key - (S) will be assessed at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both:
Essential Criteria:�
18. Degree, equivalent qualification or equivalent experience (S)
19. GCSE Level 4 / C or above in Maths and English (S)
20. Cover Letter that clearly demonstrates your motivation to undertake this apprenticeship within UKRI, paying particular attention to the essential and desirable criteria (S)
21. Good inter-personal skills, particularly in communication (both written and verbal) and problem solving
22. Excellent numeracy skills (S)
23. Good ICT skills, including MS Office (S&I)
24. Self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative (S&I)
25. Good time management skills (I)
26. Ability to work independently (I)
27. Ability to work effectively within a team (S&I)
28. Able to travel occasionally to other UKRI sites; and to Reading for training. (I)
Desirable Criteria:
29. Experience working in a finance or business environment (S&I)
Benefits
30. Learning and development tailored to your role
31. An environment with flexible working options
32. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
33. A benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days� annual leave, public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours and an exceptional pension scheme
34. You�ll get the chance to work on innovative projects with international collaborators
35. Cycle-2-work scheme
36. Discount vouchers for high street stores and attractions