We’re looking for a Finance Apprentice to join our McCarthy Stone Northern Team working in our York office. We are able to offer this role at Level 2 or 3 depending on your previous qaulifications. Our exciting and innovative Apprenticeship Programme is designed to attract and develop a diverse range of talented individuals who will contribute to the continued growth and success of our business.
Starting in September 2024, this role will be both challenging and rewarding with exposure to a fast paced, vibrant environment. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have the initial skills and knowledge needed for a career in finance along with practical experience and a nationally recognised qualification.
Being part of a cohort of apprentices across the UK, you’ll be supported every step of the way by your manager, our training provider, and a workplace mentor. In addition to this you’ll have wrap-around support from the Early Careers Lead. You’ll get dedicated time to focus on achieving your Level 2 apprenticeship qualification which will set you up for success in your future career.
Benefits:
We’re proud to be able to offer our employees a wide variety of benefits including:
* Competitive bonus scheme
* 24 days holiday (rising to 28) plus Bank Holidays
* 2 fully paid volunteering days per year (supported by the McCarthy Stone Foundation)
* Health benefits such as Remote GP, 24/7 access to EAP Services (including counsellors and legal advisors) and eyecare voucher
* Company pension scheme
* Professional Subscription
* Cycle to work scheme
* Access to Extras – our flexible benefits platform with discounts from over 100 leading brands
Your Attributes:
You will have:
* Equivalent of 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C or 9-4, including Maths and English.
* Some knowledge/experience of accounting or finance would be an advantage, but not a requirement for the Level 2 apprenticeship.
* To be eligible for a Level 3 apprenticeship, you must hold a Level 2 AAT qualification.
You will be:
* Enthusiastic with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in finance.
* Willing to learn, be self-motivated and organised. You are always improving, open and curious, you learn from your mistakes and are not afraid to fail.
* Committed to our organisation’s goals and values. You’re motivated to contribute to the team’s success, and you have a sense of how our homes help our customers increase their wellbeing and happiness in later life.
* Able to work collaboratively within a team and communicate effectively
* Computer literate and have experience in Microsoft Office software.
* Located within a commutable distance from our office in York.
Your Responsibilities:
What does an Accounts / Finance Assistant do?
An accounts or finance assistant is an integral part of the team responsible for maintaining an efficient and accurate finance function within a business. The accounts or finance assistant is responsible for assisting the team of accountants with junior accounting duties. These can vary depending on the team structure and size of business. An accounts or finance assistant’s work could include basic bookkeeping activities, working with sales and purchase ledgers, running calculations to ensure that records and payments are correct, recording of cash and data entry.
Some of the key tasks you will get involved in at McCarthy Stone include:
* Working with the Northern Division’s accounts team to produce monthly management accounts
* Assisting with the monthly forecasting process by preparing analysis and recommendations
* Attending and minuting operational meetings which review site progress and profitability
* Assisting with production of reports to assess and monitor site profitability
* Working with the Northern Division’s accounts team to review costings and perform corrections as required
* Working with the Northern Division’s accounts team to assist with transaction processing.
* Working with the Northern Division’s accounts team to perform and produce balance sheet recs
An insight into the apprenticeship role:
You will be shadowing the finance team, gaining a better understanding of the role. You will be allocated tasks, attend meetings with internal and external stakeholders allowing you to further your knowledge and expand your network.
Over the course of your apprenticeship, you will be given more and more responsibilities, eventually having responsibility for specific tasks. You will keep a daily diary of events and your learnings. Communicating and liaising effectively with colleagues.
The Apprentice Programme
We create an environment which fosters the conditions for all members to give their best each day. You will have opportunities to help you to develop, for your own benefit and for the benefit of McCarthy Stone. You will work in an environment where you can fulfil your personal potential, with the support you need to put yourself into a learning mode and the experience and challenges to help you grow. Including:
* Regular reviews with your training provider, line manager and workplace mentor, in addition to wrap-around support from the Early Careers Lead.
* Joining a team of apprentices across the country developing and supporting each other.
* Depending on qualification:
o Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship (AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting) it will take up to 16 months to complete this.
o Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Standard (L3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting) it will take up to 18 months to complete this.
* Functional Skills English and Maths, (if required)
* One-day each week will be dedicated entirely to lectures and studying for your apprenticeship qualification. The apprenticeship will be delivered by our provider via blended learning, combining online lectures and tri-annual training weeks delivered face to face.
* You'll be encouraged to take ownership and responsibility. We challenge the status quo and empower everyone to share ideas – if you think there's a better way of doing things, we'll be all ears.
Our recruitment process, what you need to know?
* Our application is open until 5th April 2024
* You may not be contacted until the application closes
* Successful candidates will be invited to complete a video interview before being invited to a final interview at our York office.
At McCarthy Stone, we celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusion amongst our colleagues. We welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.
Closing Date: 5th April 2024
Please note, we reserve the right to close applications early.
Questions and Answers
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job which offers hands-on work experience alongside off-the-job training to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice you are an employee with a contract of employment, holiday leave and all the benefits of being a full-time member of staff. By the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career along with practical experience and a nationally recognised qualification.
What does off-the-job training look like at McCarthy Stone?
Our apprentice opportunities are registered with a college or training provider to deliver the apprenticeship framework or standard. There is a range of delivery methods such as, attending college/university one day each week, face to face block training weeks and online lectures.
Apprentices will attend regular sessions and workshops with different department leads to increase business knowledge and to build their network within McCarthy Stone.
What is the application process for McCarthy Stone’s Apprenticeship Programme?
* Submit your application via the ‘apply now’ button prior to the closing date on 5th April 2024.
* Following this, if you are chosen to progress to the next stage, you will be invited to complete an initial video interview where you record your answers to a series of questions. You will have the opportunity to practice before submitting your recording.
* If successful, you will be invited to attend an in-person interview at our York office with the hiring manager and HR Business Partner.
* After this, we’ll contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you’re becoming a McCarthy Stone Apprentice and to welcome you to our team!
* If you have any queries or questions relating to this apprenticeship programme, please contact us on
What is the closing date for applying?
Our application window will be open until 5th April 2024, but we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. McCarthy Stone reserves the right to close vacancies should they receive a large volume of applications before the closing date.
Should you need any support with your application, please contact us at
How does McCarthy assess their applicants?
We are more interested in your potential and what you could bring to our business that what you have done before. That is why throughout the process, we will assess your suitability for the role you have applied for based on our behavioural competency framework.
How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?
This depends on the level of apprenticeship that you are studying and which industry sector you are training in. In general:
Level 2: 12-18 months
Level 3: 24 months
Level 4: 24 – 36 months
Level 6: 36 months
If you start as a Level-4 apprentice, which is the equivalent of the first year of university, it takes 5-years to get the equivalent of a degree. You will be studying part-time, as well as earning and getting valuable work experience.
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
By the end of this apprenticeship, you'll have the initial skills and knowledge needed for a career in Finance along with practical experience and a nationally recognised qualification.
What is the career progression for a Finance Apprentice?
The general career progression is from apprentice to Trainee Finance Manager. After that you could work towards progressing to become an Assistant Management Accountant, Accountant, Finance Manager and Finance Director.
About Us
As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of November 2021, McCarthy Stone operates 500 developments across the UK for more than 20,000 people.
Our mission is simple: to help our customers achieve retirement living to the full. We achieve it by employing talented and ambitious people who genuinely care about the difference we make, while understanding that every staff member plays a part in our success. Our philosophy attracts the very best applicants. While our working culture – challenging and stimulating, with excellence recognised, nurtured and rewarded – helps us retain them.
We are proud to be winners of the Great Place to Work 2023 as well as making the Great Place to Work Wellbeing list! For the past 16 years we have been awarded Home Builders Federation 5* Customer Satisfaction (2023) and are finalists for the Health Investor Senior Housing Awards (2023) having won the award in 2022.