Finance Assistant Apprentice
Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber · Huddersfield
Weekly Hours Worked: 37.5 hours per week (circa 9-5 but flexible)
Hybrid contract, WFH options available
About Company
We are Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber... one of 15 organisations set up by NHS England to operate as the key innovation arm of the NHS. Across the country we act as a bridge between health care providers, commissioners, academia and industry. By connecting these sectors, we help to build a pipeline of solutions for the NHS from research and product development through to implementation and commercialisation.
Our vision is to improve the health and prosperity of our region by unlocking the potential of new ideas.
Role purpose: The Finance Assistant will provide day-to-day support across the Finance function, helping to ensure that financial transactions, records and reporting are accurate, timely and appropriately controlled. The role combines practical, on-the-job experience with structured learning towards a recognised accounting qualification. Working closely with the Finance Manager and the wider Finance team, the postholder will develop their knowledge and skills across a broad range of financial activities, gradually taking on greater responsibility as their experience and competence develop. This is an opportunity for an organised, numerate and motivated individual to build a career in finance within a supportive and varied working environment.
Key responsibilities:
1. Finance administration and transactional support
• Process supplier invoices accurately and promptly, ensuring they are appropriately coded and submitted for approval, and following up outstanding approvals. • Assist with preparing supplier payment runs in accordance with established financial controls and authorisation procedures.
• Raise sales invoices and support debtor monitoring and credit control, including following up outstanding balances as appropriate.
• Process staff expenses, corporate card transactions and other expenditure in line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Support the maintenance of purchase orders and ensure expenditure is recorded against the correct programme, project and cost centre.
• Administer vouchers and similar payments to project participants in accordance with agreed processes and controls.
• Respond to routine finance queries from colleagues, suppliers, customers and project teams, referring more complex queries to the Finance Manager where appropriate.
2. Month-end accounting and financial control
• Support the monthly management accounts process, helping to ensure transactions are complete, accurately coded and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Assist with preparing and processing routine monthly accounting journals, subject to appropriate review and authorisation.
This may include:
- Fixed asset additions, depreciation and maintenance of the fixed asset register.
- Prepayments.
- Other routine month-end adjustments.
• Assist with regular bank and balance sheet reconciliations, investigating discrepancies and escalating unresolved items where necessary.
• Undertake basic checks and reconciliations of monthly actuals and quarterly forecasts, with appropriate guidance.
• Assist with investigating and resolving reconciling items and coding queries.
• Support balance sheet reviews and maintain clear, accurate supporting schedules.
• Maintain accurate and complete financial records in Xero and associated finance systems.
• Follow established financial controls and procedures, seeking guidance where a task falls outside the postholder's knowledge or delegated authority.
3. Management reporting, budgeting and forecasting
• Support the preparation of monthly financial information for budget holders and programme teams.
• Download, organise and check Verto project information to support monthly financial and project reporting.
• Assist with variance analysis and other financial reporting as knowledge and experience develop.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of budgets and forecasts.
• Help gather financial information from budget holders and programme teams.
• Develop an understanding of programme finances and contribute to analysing actual and forecast expenditure.
• Maintain the Finance team's library of costing sheets, ensuring approved versions are clearly identified, organised and accessible.
4. Funder and project reporting
• Support the preparation of financial information required by funders and commissioners.
• Compile supporting information and evidence for defrayal submissions and claims.
• Maintain clear and accurate records to support funder reporting, financial monitoring and audit requirements.
• Work with project teams to help ensure financial information is complete, accurate and available for reporting deadlines.
• Escalate discrepancies or missing information that could affect reporting accuracy or deadlines.
5. VAT, year-end and compliance
• Download, organise and check information required to support the preparation of VAT returns.
• Assist with year-end processes and the preparation of working papers for external audit.
• Respond to audit information requests by compiling relevant records and supporting evidence.
• Compile financial and other relevant information to support organisational carbon reporting, as required.
• Handle financial and personal information confidentially and in accordance with data protection requirements and organisational policies.
6. Team support and cross-cover
• Work collaboratively with the other Finance Assistant, sharing knowledge and supporting effective cover across the Finance function.
• Provide cover for routine finance activities during periods of annual leave, absence and increased workload, within the postholder's knowledge, competence and delegated authority.
• Help monitor and manage the shared Finance mailbox, ensuring queries and tasks are allocated, tracked and dealt with promptly.
• Maintain clear process notes and supporting documentation to help colleagues undertake tasks consistently.
• Seek guidance or escalate tasks where additional knowledge, review or authorisation is required.
7. Systems and process improvement
• Develop a strong working knowledge of Xero, Verto and other systems used within the Finance function.
• Maintain accurate, consistent and well-organised financial records and supporting documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve routine finance processes and suggest practical improvements.
• Use digital tools and technology appropriately to improve accuracy, efficiency and productivity.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Finance service and the sharing of effective working practices.
Learning and development
The postholder will undertake the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship alongside their role, with structured support from the Finance Manager and the appointed training provider. Protected off-the-job training time will be provided in accordance with applicable apprenticeship requirements and the agreed training plan. The role will provide practical experience across a broad range of finance activities, including:
• Financial administration and transactional processing.
• Bookkeeping, reconciliations and month-end accounting.
• Fixed assets and routine accounting journals.
• Management accounts, budgeting and forecasting.
• Project accounting and funder reporting.
• VAT and external audit support.
• Financial analysis, systems and process improvement.
Education and Professional development
• Take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve professional knowledge.
• Develop own skills and knowledge and provide information to others to help individual and team development.
• Participate in personal objective settings and review, including a personal development plan.
Special Requirements:
• You may on occasion be required to work irregular hours in accordance with the needs of the role.
• You will occasionally be expected to travel across the region and to other locations to meet with members of the HIN team, stakeholders and others.
Health and Safety
• Ensure that you remain compliant with health and safety regulations and accepted safe practice at all times. Report any health and safety issues or contraventions witnessed anywhere within the business to your Manager or in their absence a Director.
• Work efficiently and responsibly within all areas of the Company in a safe manner sharing good practice with colleagues.
General
• You will contribute to continuous improvement of working practices.
• You will comply with all policies and procedures within the Company.
• Carry out all duties with regards to and ensuring equal opportunities and work with all employees within the Company in the fulfilment of our aims and objectives.
Company Benefits:
10% employer matched contributory pension scheme
Electric Car Scheme
Financial Wellbeing Programme
Skills required
Essential criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Previous experience working in an administrative or office-based role.
Good numerical skills and confidence working with figures.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Confidence using spreadsheets and digital systems, with a willingness to develop their technical skills.
Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, or the ability and willingness to develop this.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
The ability to respond appropriately to routine queries and recognise when advice or support is needed.
The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Integrity and a commitment to following financial procedures and controls.
The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
Commitment to completing the apprenticeship and undertaking the associated learning and assessments.
Desirable criteria
Previous experience working in a finance or accounts role.
Some knowledge of basic bookkeeping or accounting principles.
Experience using Xero or another accounting system.
Qualifications required
GCSE's at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including Maths and English
Training you'll get
BPP apprenticeship training programmes are delivered virtually by our fully qualified and industry-experienced training team. Using their expert knowledge, we’ve purposefully built our programmes around the real-world use of modern technology, so that the skills we create can be directly applied in the workplace.
Throughout the apprenticeship learners receive coaching, help and guidance from a dedicated team who are there to ensure they get the most from their work experience.
Future prospects
There is the potential to develop and enhance skills and experience once apprenticeship complete.
The essentials
Hours, commitment and the dates that matter.
Training provider
Delivers the training for this role and manages your application.
