Jobs

Earn.  Learn.  Qualify.
 
Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, develop and be the best version of yourself? Then why not build the foundations of your career with an Apprenticeship at Durham County Council.

Why choose Durham County Council?

• We offer a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement – find out more information here 
• We encourage a great work/life balance!  Many of our roles operate under our ‘hybrid working’ policy, which gives you the opportunity of flexible, home and office working. 
• We have a successful track record in supporting our apprentices to secure permanent employment, with 3 in 4 apprentices securing a further role with us.
• We have been recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer!  
• As a Disability Confident Leader, and a member of the North East England Rainbow Alliance, we are committed to equality and diversity in the workplace – find out more here 
• You will learn from skilled professionals whilst being supported to study towards a recognised qualification with a college/university/training provider.  
• We will support you every step of the way, with a dedicated Mentor, the option of a buddy for disabled new employees and great networking opportunities with other apprentices. 

Durham County Council is a fantastic place to work but if you need convincing, we’ve asked some of our apprentices to share their own stories at Apprenticeships at Durham County Council. You can also hear from John Hewitt, our Chief Executive, and how his career started with an apprenticeship.
 
Apprenticeship (Financial Management)

Are you a problem-solver with an eye for detail? This could be the apprenticeship for you! 

As a Financial Management Apprentice with Durham County Council, you will learn from and work alongside some amazing and talented people, develop your skills and grow as a person and professional.

This role will provide you with the opportunity to open up your own career path from Financial Management Apprentice to potential future leader, with invaluable experience provided from across our Service and Strategic Finance teams. It will also enable you to gain a broad and fascinating insight into local authority functions.

Our Corporate Finance and Commercial Services Development Mentoring Programme provides tailored support in an open and inclusive environment with a strong focus on wellbeing as well as technical experience.
 
You will work across the Service and Strategic teams within Corporate Finance and Commercial Services and will gain real time work experience whilst studying to towards the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Qualification
 
You will be based at Rivergreen, Aykley Heads, Durham with the opportunity of flexible, home and office working when appropriate.
 
What we are looking for:
 
By undertaking both on the job, and qualification based training you will be given the opportunity to gain career enhancing skills and competencies that will enable you to support the robust Financial Management Framework within the Council.
 
In this role you will (via a supported training plan):
 

• assist in the production of annual revenue and capital budgets;
• support and undertake budgetary control information including income and expenditure projections;
• assist service budget holders with financial queries and coding requirements;
• assist in the year end - final accounts closedown;
• carry out routine reconciliations and general ledger maintenance.
• study and achieve the Accounts/Finance Assistant Standard Level 2 and the Assistant Accountant Standard Level 3 during the duration of the apprenticeship via the Association of Accounting Technicians. 

To thrive in this role, you will need:

• Effective communication skills
• Good numeric skills
• To work as a team member, forming effective working relationships with colleagues across the Council. 

 
What qualification will I gain?

You will study towards the Accounts/Finance Assistant Level 2  standard progressing to Assistant Accountant Level 3 standard with a trusted training provider.
 
What will I need?

You must either have or expect to achieve 2 GCSEs at Grades 9-4/A*-C including Maths and English or hold an equivalent qualification, together with good communication, IT and numerical skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.
 
Further information?

We encourage you to contact Ellen Burrell, Principal Accountancy Assistant via email ellen.burrell@durham.gov.uk if you have any questions about this opportunity.
 
Support Available

We are running a series of virtual sessions via MS Teams to provide support on how to complete your application form, if you would like to attend a session, please complete the following form
 
DurhamWorks

If you are aged 16-24 living in County Durham and not in education, employment, or training, you can take advantage of the help and support available from DurhamWorks.  This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing. Visit DurhamWorks
 
Employability Durham

If you are aged 25 and over, unemployed and live in County Durham, Employability Durham can offer you help and support to get back into work or start your own business. Visit EmployabilityDurham

DurhamEnable

If you are 18+, have a neurodivergence or disability and fit the criteria, DurhamEnable offers dedicated Job Coaching support from pre-application to post employment. Helping disabled people get and keep the right jobs for them.  Visit Durhamenable

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website 

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentResources@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £15,434 per annum (£8.00ph) NMW

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant