Job Description

Details

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Reference number

436782

Salary

24,061
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Other

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

The duration of the apprenticeship

Business area

.

Type of role

Accountancy

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Lime Kiln Close Stoke Gifford Filton Abbey Wood


BRISTOL BS34 8SR

About the job

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Job summary

Apprentice Accountant

Bristol


24,061


Plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension


Who we are


The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England - we regulate higher education on behalf of all students. Our mission is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers

Job description

About the role


Our Finance team is small, close-knit and proud of the contribution we make. We're looking for a motivated finance professional at the start of their career to join us in this varied hands-on training role,



You'll support a range of financial activities, from recording transactions and reconciling accounts to analysing data and responding to queries. You'll be using market-leading software and learning on the job, with structured training through the AAT apprenticeship pathway, with plenty of support along the way.



You will start at Level 3 or Level 4 depending on your current experience and qualifications. For those who thrive and show potential, there is a progression route available (ACCA or CIMA) following completion of the AAT.



We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you're confident using Excel, have a solid foundation in finance, and are ready to grow your skills in a collaborative and inclusive environment, we'd love to hear from you.



Key responsibilities may include



Recording transactions on our ledger system. Analysing financial data using standard tools and processes. Reconcile financial data, such as preparation of balance sheet or grant reconciliations. Investigation, resolution or escalation of transactional queries and errors as appropriate. Assisting with investigation of/ response to financial information queries. Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders. Making progress in examinations and having good attendance at the training provider.

Person specification

About you:



We're looking for someone who's made a solid start towards a finance career, either through a good pass in a Level 2 (or higher) finance-related qualification or through at least two years of hands-on experience in a similar role. You'll need to be confident using Microsoft Excel, especially with pivot tables, lookups, and sumifs, and comfortable speaking up whensomething doesn't look quite right.



We value people who take initiative, work independently to a high standard, and bring strong interpersonal skills to the team. It's a bonus if you've had experience working with financial ledger systems, but it's not essential.



Please be aware that, as this is an apprenticeship, if you already have a finance related qualification at Level 4 or above you will not be eligible for this role.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 24,061, Office for Students contributes 6,970 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Working for us



The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.



We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.



At the OfS, we recognise that flexibility can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation-wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two to three days in a typical week.



Closing date for applications: 1200 noon 1 December 2025


Interviews: Early January 2026



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : RecruitmentTeam Email : RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk Telephone : 0117 931 7444
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Recruitment team

Email : RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk

Further information

Careers - Office for Students