An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Apprentice to join our Finance team in Northampton on a fixed-term contract.
You will work as part of a local team while also supporting the wider firm-wide Finance department, helping to deliver an efficient and accurate finance service across a range of functions.
As part of the role, Shoosmiths will fully support the first year of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification, including one day of paid study leave each week.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their knowledge, gain valuable experience and build a career in finance. To succeed in the role, you will need excellent communication skills, a keen eye for detail, flexibility, and the ability to manage your own workload while working to tight deadlines.
The team
Our Finance team plays a vital role in supporting the firm by delivering an efficient, accurate, and client-focused service to legal advisers and business support functions. This includes ensuring that client and office accounts are maintained to the highest standard and that invoices are produced accurately and issued promptly.
Main responsibilities
As a Finance Apprentice, you will gain experience across a variety of Finance functions, providing support to teams including Cashiering, Billing, Credit Management, Financial Accounts, Compliance and Financial Planning & Analysis. Responsibilities will include:
- Processing and reviewing financial transactions.
- Supporting billing, cash management and reconciliation activities.
- Assisting with accounts payable and expense processing.
- Responding to finance-related queries from colleagues and suppliers.
- Preparing reports and maintaining accurate financial records.
- Supporting regulatory compliance and internal controls.
- Assisting with finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Building knowledge and experience through planned rotations across Finance teams.
- Studying towards the AAT qualification and applying learning in a practical environment.
Key learning points
- Understanding how a Finance function supports a leading law firm.
- Gaining experience across Cashiering, Billing, Financial Accounting, Credit Management and Compliance teams.
- Developing knowledge of client and office accounting processes.
- Learning how to analyse financial information and produce management reports.
- Building an understanding of regulatory requirements, including the Solicitors Accounts Rules.
- Developing strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Gaining practical experience of finance systems, technology and process improvement.
- Studying towards an AAT qualification while applying your learning in a professional environment.
- Business software competency – K2, SAP, Excel, Bankline, card payment portals
Skills and qualifications
- Positive with can do attitude
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Good level of IT literacy i.e., Excel, Outlook etc
- Have the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Ability to adapt and maintain high standards
- Organised with a neat and tidy approach to working practices
- Reliability, friendly and helpful approach
- Have a flexible approach to working practices
- Ability to work as part of a small local team but also the bigger Finance team.
Progression & prospects
One of the benefits of working for a wider Finance team is that opportunities in other departments such as Financial Accounting, Finance Administration, Financial Planning & Analysis and Credit Management are made available to internal staff on a regular basis.
The firm
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
Shoosmiths is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme replaced the Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People scheme. We had been accredited as a two tick employer for many years - Disability Confident broadens and develops that original commitment, and demonstrates we have adopted a proactive approach to employing disabled people and developing their abilities.
As part of our accreditation, we commit to interviewing any applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for each vacancy. In some circumstances we may only be able to interview those that best meet the essential criteria due to the volume of applications received.
Further information on the Disability Confident scheme is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to and usable by everyone. If you have a disability or long-term condition and would like to receive information in a different way, or need us to make any adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team on [email protected]. We can consider your needs and requirements, and how we can assist you to apply for our roles. For example we can provide a copy of our application via email so that you can complete it using your own accessibility software.
Background checks
Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years. Personal vetting credit search (which will only highlight Insolvency or County Court Judgements – Should any adverse data show on the Personal Vetting search them any offer of employment made be withdrawn). Terrorism check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a basic DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check.
Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.
This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Warren Cooper at [email protected]
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