Apprentice - Finance

Are you looking to begin a rewarding career while gaining a nationally recognised qualification?

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Band 3 Apprentice Finance Assistant to join our supportive and friendly Finance team.

This job description describes the role that an apprentice will be working towards during the training period.

Supervision and support (direct and indirect) will be provided or available to you during all tasks, with progression being dependant on the completion of set objectives. This will enable the apprentice to work within the organisation to gain confidence, experience and build a portfolio of evidence for apprenticeship accreditation.

You will support the finance team in providing a reliable and effective financial support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust across a range of finance functions. The role will involve ensuring that financial information is processed accurately and within agreed financial timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

You will need to investigate enquiries and queries from suppliers/staff and customers and provide advice and assistance as required.

You will gain hands‑on experience within a busy NHS finance environment while developing valuable skills, knowledge and confidence through structured training and regular supervision.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to Job Description for further detail.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Discuss queries with staff, suppliers and customers where there may be issues regarding non‑payment, incorrect or late payments or other related matters. Communicate financial regulations and NHS rules in a simplified and understandable way to non‑finance staff.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Investigate financial queries and analyse detailed financial data to identify errors, discrepancies or omissions, escalating issues where appropriate.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Plan and manage own workload effectively to ensure weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial timetables and deadlines are met.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

• Propose improvements to working practices and procedures and implement procedures and processes set by others in line with Trust requirements.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• Responsible for using and maintaining finance systems, processes and procedures relevant to assigned finance functions, in accordance with Trust policies.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Undertake all required apprenticeship training and actively participate in regular supervision and reviews.

Freedom to Act

• Work within established Trust policies, procedures and financial regulations at all times.

Finance Officer roles across the finance department

• Finance Officer Accounts Payable – To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the accounts payable function. Preparing the payment run and processing it through the Accounting system.

• Finance Officer Cashier – To support the Cash Manager and Assistant Cash Manager in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the Cash & Banking functions. Investigate enquiries and queries from banks, suppliers, staff and customers (including patients) and provide advice and assistance as required. Responsible for co‑ordinating petty cash and purchase cards for Trust staff members.

• Finance Officer Accounts Receivable – To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of Income and the Credit Control function.

• Finance Officer Financial Accounts – To provide assistance to the Assistant Financial Accountants, Financial Accountants, Senior Financial Accountants, and in providing a reliable and effective Financial Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

• Finance Officer Management Accounts – To provide assistance to the Senior Management Accountants,…