Senior Finance Assistant (Apprentice)

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to build a rewarding career in finance within the NHS?

We are delighted to offer a Senior Finance Apprentice role within our Finance Team, supporting a £1bn+ high‑performing NHS Foundation Trust and its subsidiary companies. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated individual who is keen to develop their finance knowledge while gaining hands‑on experience in a large, professional and highly respected finance function.

We are committed to your continuous professional development and provide a supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment, where your health and wellbeing are equally valued alongside your career progression. You will be fully supported to complete a Level 4 Finance Apprenticeship, studying either AAT Level 4 or the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, while gaining valuable practical experience.

As part of our 100‑strong Finance Team, you will gain insight into a wide range of accounting services and benefit from working alongside experienced, committed professionals. The Subsidiary Finance Team provides accounting support to the three subsidiary companies of UHS, with a combined turnover of approximately £215m, offering excellent exposure to complex, real‑world financial operations at scale.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, detail‑focused individual who is eager to learn, contribute and grow within a successful NHS organisation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Senior Finance apprentice, you’ll support the subsidiary finance team with day-to-day core financial operations, including supporting month-end activities, payments to suppliers, raising invoices, answering budget manager queries, reconciling control accounts and using Excel to analyse and present financial data to support decision-making.  This role offers genuine variety and the chance to understand how finance supports the wider organisation.

Alongside the practical experience, you will undertake a Level 4 finance apprenticeship and study Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 4 or CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.  You’ll receive fully supported study time and off-the-job training, which is valued equally alongside your practical experience.  This role is designed to help you succeed both professionally and academically.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone who is motivated, curious and genuinely keen to learn. You’ll enjoy working as part of a team, take pride in your work and feel confident asking questions and sharing ideas.

This opportunity will provide a strong stepping stone for further career development. At the end of this Level 4 apprenticeship, you will be either a member of AAT or hold the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. Both provide a strong foundation for further progress and completion of a Chartered Accountancy Qualification.

As this is a higher-level apprenticeship, applicants must already hold an AAT Level 3 or equivalent qualification, and ideally have some finance experience.

Due to the nature of this role, you will be a team player with strong communication skills who is willing to work hard and be adaptable to the different demands of the department. You will have strong attention to detail and will be honest with all the work that you do. You will demonstrate independence and initiative when carrying out tasks. A good working knowledge of Excel is important, such as proficiency in data manipulation through the use of Pivot Tables, formulas and filters.