Are you looking to launch your career in finance while gaining a recognised qualification? Join Hillingdon Council as an Apprentice Finance Assistant and earn while you learn. Over the course of your apprenticeship (up to 2 years), you will complete the Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship, including study for the AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting.
You will be part of the Transactional Finance Service, supporting our Adult Social Care Financial Transactions teams (Debtors and Financial Assessments). Your role will help ensure accurate financial records, timely payments, and quality support to residents, businesses, and internal services.
What You'll Be Doing 1. Resident & Community Focus
Provide excellent customer service in line with Hillingdon’s Customer Care Standards.
Support prompt payments to social care clients and benefit recipients to avoid financial hardship.
Assist in ensuring timely payments to local businesses to help support the borough’s economy.
2. Operational Delivery
Support the Corporate Debtors Service in collecting and recovering invoices.
Assist with invoice matching, credit note processing, and supplier payments.
Provide administrative support for the Social Care Provider Portal.
Help ensure client financial assessments are processed efficiently and accurately.
Work with key financial systems (Excel, Word, general ledger, Payments, and Debtors).
Ensure all duties comply with Data Protection and GDPR regulations.
Gain basic knowledge of tax principles and their application to transactions.
Maintain up-to-date procedure notes and assist with Freedom of Information requests.
Contribute to service transformation and efficiency initiatives.
Deliver high-quality, accurate work consistently, right first time.
3. Service Planning & Development
4. Financial & Resource Management
Apply cost-consciousness to your work and suggest efficiencies where possible.
Support consistent billing and recovery of sundry debts, improving cash flow and minimising debt.
Understand the impact of financial assessment accuracy for both residents and the Council.
Assist with payment processes in line with contractual terms and the Supplier Incentive Programme.
5. Service Improvement
Actively suggest improvements to systems, processes, or service delivery.
Take part in developing training materials and work procedures.
Support development of cross-functional working and innovation.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
Passionate about pursuing a career in finance.
Organised, with great attention to detail.
Confident using Microsoft Office and open to learning new financial systems.
A strong communicator, both written and verbal.
Motivated to learn and achieve the AAT qualification within the apprenticeship timeframe.
Start your journey in public sector finance and make a real impact while developing your career. Apply now and become part of a supportive and ambitious team.
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Basic DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- 3 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
