Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Apprentice - Finance

The closing date is 11 January 2026

Job summary

Are you looking to begin a rewarding career while gaining a nationally recognised qualification?

Devon Partnership NHS Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Band 3 Apprentice Finance Assistant to join our supportive and friendly Finance team

This job description describes the role that an apprentice will be working towards during the training period.

Supervision and support (direct and indirect) will be provided or available to you during all tasks, with progression being dependant on the completion of set objectives. This will enable the apprentice to work within the organisation to gain confidence, experience and build a portfolio of evidence for apprenticeship accreditation.

You will support the finance team in providing a reliable and effective financial support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust across a range of finance functions. The role will involve ensuring that financial information is processed accurately and within agreed financial timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

You will need to Investigate enquiries and queries from suppliers / staff and customers and provide advice and assistance as required.

You will gain hands-on experience within a busy NHS finance environment while developing valuable skills, knowledge and confidence through structured training and regular supervision.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to Job Description for further detail.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

  • Discuss queries with staff, suppliers and customers where there may be issues regarding non-payment, incorrect or late payments or other related matters. Communicate financial regulations and NHS rules in a simplified and understandable way to non-finance staff.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

  • Investigate financial queries and analyse detailed financial data to identify errors, discrepancies or omissions, escalating issues where appropriate.

Planning and Organisational Skills

  • Plan and manage own workload effectively to ensure weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial timetables and deadlines are met.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

  • Propose improvements to working practices and procedures and implement procedures and processes set by others in line with Trust requirements.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

  • Responsible for using and maintaining finance systems, processes and procedures relevant to assigned finance functions, in accordance with Trust policies.

Responsibility for Human Resources

  • Undertake all required apprenticeship training and actively participate in regular supervision and reviews.

Freedom to Act

  • Work within established Trust policies, procedures and financial regulations at all times.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

Date posted

17 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9369-25-1015

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description describes the role that an apprentice will be working towards during the training period.

Supervision and support (direct and indirect) will be provided or available to you during all tasks, with progression being dependant on the completion of set objectives. This will enable the apprentice to work within the organisation to gain confidence, experience and build a portfolio of evidence for apprenticeship accreditation.

To support the finance team in providing a reliable and effective financial support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the different finance functions.

Ensure that financial information is processed accurately and in time with financial timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

Investigate enquiries and queries from suppliers/ staff and customers and provide advice and assistance as required.

In addition to the job purpose set out above, below is the range of finance officer roles across the finance department, together with a description of the core role of each:

Finance Officer Accounts Payable

  • To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the accounts payable function. Preparing the payment run and processing it through the Accounts system.

Finance Officer Cashier

  • To support the Cash Manager and Assistant Cash Manager in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the Cash & Banking functions. Investigate enquiries and queries from banks, suppliers, staff and customers (including patients) and provide advice and assistance as required. Responsible for co-ordinating petty cash and purchase cards for Trust staff members.

Finance Officer Accounts Receivable

  • To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of Income and the Credit Control function.

Finance Officer FinancialAccounts

  • To provide assistance to the Assistant Financial Accountants, Financial Accountants, Senior Financial Accountants, and in providing a reliable and effective Financial Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer Management Accounts

  • To provide assistance to the Senior Management Accountants, Management Accountants and Assistant Management Accountants in providing a reliable and effective Management Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer - Procurement and Contracts

  • To provide assistance to the procurement and contracts management functions in providing a reliable and effective procurement and contracts support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer Systems

  • To provide assistance to the Management Accountant and Assistant Accountant in delivering system developments to improve effectiveness and efficacies across the finance team and wider trust, in addition to managing the day to day maintenance of Devon Partnership Trusts finance systems.
  • During the recruitment and selection process, from the above list, the available finance officer role being advertised will be clearly set out. The Assistant Director of Finance, in conjunction with the Senior Accountants, reserve the right to change the role to another finance officer role listed above due to resource pressures or any other reason deemed appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description describes the role that an apprentice will be working towards during the training period.

Supervision and support (direct and indirect) will be provided or available to you during all tasks, with progression being dependant on the completion of set objectives. This will enable the apprentice to work within the organisation to gain confidence, experience and build a portfolio of evidence for apprenticeship accreditation.

To support the finance team in providing a reliable and effective financial support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the different finance functions.

Ensure that financial information is processed accurately and in time with financial timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.

Investigate enquiries and queries from suppliers/ staff and customers and provide advice and assistance as required.

In addition to the job purpose set out above, below is the range of finance officer roles across the finance department, together with a description of the core role of each:

Finance Officer Accounts Payable

  • To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the accounts payable function. Preparing the payment run and processing it through the Accounts system.

Finance Officer Cashier

  • To support the Cash Manager and Assistant Cash Manager in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of the Cash & Banking functions. Investigate enquiries and queries from banks, suppliers, staff and customers (including patients) and provide advice and assistance as required. Responsible for co-ordinating petty cash and purchase cards for Trust staff members.

Finance Officer Accounts Receivable

  • To support the Assistant Accountant Cash Management in providing a reliable and effective Cash Management service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust in respect of Income and the Credit Control function.

Finance Officer FinancialAccounts

  • To provide assistance to the Assistant Financial Accountants, Financial Accountants, Senior Financial Accountants, and in providing a reliable and effective Financial Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer Management Accounts

  • To provide assistance to the Senior Management Accountants, Management Accountants and Assistant Management Accountants in providing a reliable and effective Management Accounting service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer - Procurement and Contracts

  • To provide assistance to the procurement and contracts management functions in providing a reliable and effective procurement and contracts support service to Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Finance Officer Systems

  • To provide assistance to the Management Accountant and Assistant Accountant in delivering system developments to improve effectiveness and efficacies across the finance team and wider trust, in addition to managing the day to day maintenance of Devon Partnership Trusts finance systems.
  • During the recruitment and selection process, from the above list, the available finance officer role being advertised will be clearly set out. The Assistant Director of Finance, in conjunction with the Senior Accountants, reserve the right to change the role to another finance officer role listed above due to resource pressures or any other reason deemed appropriate.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Desirable

  • Knowledge of finance processes and procedures in a similar area.
  • Good working knowledge of Agresso Accounting System or other finance systems.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a similar area within either the NHS or the private sector.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 or Functional Skills at Level 2 in English and Maths.
  • Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship within the contract of employment.

Desirable

  • BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced) (ITQ).
  • ICDL (previously ECDL) Level 1 & 2 Awards and Certificates or equivalent.

Other

Essential

  • Applicants are required to meet the college apprenticeship entry requirements.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

  • Working knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable

  • Familiar with Agresso and its functionality
  • Good analytical skills

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

  • Able to communicate internally with various levels of management and externally with statutory organisations.
  • Ability to communicate with partner organisations.

Desirable

  • Ability to communicate effectively with customers and suppliers, with regards to complex issues.
Person Specification

Knowledge

Desirable

  • Knowledge of finance processes and procedures in a similar area.
  • Good working knowledge of Agresso Accounting System or other finance systems.

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a similar area within either the NHS or the private sector.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 or Functional Skills at Level 2 in English and Maths.
  • Commitment to undertake a Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeship within the contract of employment.

Desirable

  • BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ICDL Advanced) (ITQ).
  • ICDL (previously ECDL) Level 1 & 2 Awards and Certificates or equivalent.

Other

Essential

  • Applicants are required to meet the college apprenticeship entry requirements.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

  • Working knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable

  • Familiar with Agresso and its functionality
  • Good analytical skills

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

Essential

  • Able to communicate internally with various levels of management and externally with statutory organisations.
  • Ability to communicate with partner organisations.

Desirable

  • Ability to communicate effectively with customers and suppliers, with regards to complex issues.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Management Accountant

Alex Bramley

alex.bramley1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

17 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9369-25-1015

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Devon Partnership NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)