AddressWorking on the exciting Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme, you will become a key team member understanding the importance of delivery on time and to budget, maintaining a strong customer focus, whilst protecting the commercial and financial interests of the company.
You will join an 18-month apprenticeship, which will combine academic study with real life work-based experience, developing the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours in accounting principles, systems, and tools, leading to the award of an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting. In addition, you will o work towards achieving the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
You will undertake mini placements in different departments in order to gain knowledge and understanding of Network Rail and the wider rail sector. You will also undertake internal training to upskill you in the relevant skills and competencies required for Network Rail.
What you’ll get out of it
The following qualifications will be gained:
AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
The opportunities it leads to
A natural progression upon completion of the 18-month apprenticeship would be to move into an Assistant Management Accountant position within Network Rail. Further development and experience could see you attain a Finance Business Partner role and then a Senior Finance Business Partner. Network Rail offers a wide range of careers and opportunities, some skills you acquire from the apprenticeship will be transferrable to other disciplines and professions – we will aim to aid your career development throughout your time with us.
Your learning journey doesn’t end when the apprenticeship has finished. Next steps could be to progress onto a CIMA or AAT Qualification sponsored by Network Rail.
Main ResponsibilitiesYour role will be to support and assist the TRU Finance team in providing comprehensive financial and management accounting service to the delivery teams, protecting the project from commercial risk and maintaining a high standard in all areas in accordance with Network Rail Policies and Procedures, including our strong commitment to ethical and professional standards.
Your day-to-day activities will involve learning about and assisting the finance team in supporting the delivery of projects within the TRU Programme. This will include analysis of periodic financial performance of delivery projects against objectives (including budgets and forecasts); preparing and distributing appropriate financial reports to senior leaders to support financial control and aid performance management and target achievement; monitoring and supporting compliance to financial and corporate governance standards; identification of financial risks; contract administration; and other ad-hoc financial responsibilities to support the Finance team.
The Ideal CandidateWho you are matters
We are looking for people who have a strong commitment and are self-motivated to develop and learn. We want people with a curiosity for numbers, and an analytical mind and a flair for finance and accounting. You’ll be enthusiastic about your work, enjoy collaborating with others and have the skills and ability to communicate with a variety of different audiences.
We invest in you and give you vast exposure to different areas and aspects of accountancy and finance, because we believe you will be the future of our business. In return, we expect apprentices who are driven, hardworking and uphold Network Rail’s values and behaviours.
Entry requirements
- GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English at Grade C, 4 or above
and;
- A Level in Accounting OR
- Level 2 AAT OR
- L1 & or L2 City & Guilds in Bookkeeping and Accounts OR
- Passed the Consolidation Test in the Introduction to Bookkeeping Course (see below).
The free Introduction to Bookkeeping course is suitable for candidates interested in a career in accountancy who want to get a feel for the subject and who are considering applying for a Level 3 apprenticeship. It roughly takes about 8 hours to complete.
About The CompanyAre you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
Drugs & Alcohol test: All prospective candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness in your application
Package DescriptionRole: Assistant Accountant Apprentice
Academic award: AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
Salary: You will begin on a starting salary of £20,500 per annum
Location: Manchester
Contract Type: Permanent. The apprenticeship lasts for 18 months
Start date: September 2024
We have lots of employee benefits, including a range of pension schemes and discounted offers.
28 days annual leave + bank holidays
Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel this includes off peak and super off-peak tickets. Employees will also be entitled to 75% discount on season tickets.
To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Closing date: 29th February 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
Selection process: If selected, the next stage of the process will be a request for you to submit a video response to several questions (motivational and role specific). You will be contacted after the closing date if you are required to complete this stage. The final stage of the recruitment process will be an Assessment Centre. We will advise as soon as possible when this is.
Assessment centre location: To be confirmed
