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Finance and accounting

Are you interested in crunching numbers for big corporations? Maybe you’re interested in how insurance policies work or want to help people invest? Finance and accounting is all about managing money.

The content in this guide is sponsored by First Intuition, an award-winning accountancy training provider.

Find out more about First Intuition

What is a finance and accounting apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship in finance and accounting is a practical, work-based route into your chosen career. You will gain the qualifications and skills to work in the field while earning a salary and not paying tuition fees.

You could be working with big clients on the stock market, investing funds for companies, or predicting how much people will pay for their insurance, to name a few.

Accountancy and Finance Guide - First Intuition | Professional Education Providers

Discover real apprentices and their experiences in the accountancy field from training provider First Intuition, including AstraZeneca, TUI, and much more.

Career opportunities from a finance and accounting apprenticeship

An apprenticeship in the industry can lead to a range of careers, including:  

You can find out more about accounting careers on the AAT website.

Nick is a finance and accounting apprentice at PGA Tour.
£22,645
The average salary for an apprentice accountant
According to Reed, correct as of January 2023
Over 1 million
The number of people currently working in the finance sector in the UK
GOV.UK, correct as of January 2023

Nathan Fry – Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship, Finance Analyst, TUI

Studying accountancy through an apprenticeship is a great pathway to take, as it enables you to focus on developing specific skills and knowledge, learning the theory behind them, and then being able to apply this to your work the very next day.

Gareth John – First Intuition, Executive Director

Applying for an apprenticeship isn’t a scary process. It’s a great opportunity to show off all of your academic achievements and extra-curricular activities, but do explain what benefit you gained from each experience. It’s really important to do some research on the employer you are applying for and to tailor your application to both them and to the apprenticeship you would like to undertake.
Pros
  • You’ll learn from experienced professionals.
  • You’ll get professional qualifications
  • The finance sector generally pays well.
Considerations
  • Roles carry a lot of responsibility.
  • It can be competitive to get a place.
  • It’s a desk-based job.

Who would suit a finance and accounting apprenticeship?

You might be interested in a finance and accounting apprenticeship if you:

  • are interested in finance and how it works
  • are passionate about maths
  • enjoy working with numbers

You might be a good fit for a finance and accounting apprenticeship if you:

  • are an analytical thinker
  • are good with numbers
  • can work with data
  • are organised and logical
  • can work to deadlines
Nick shares his top tips for securing an apprenticeship in finance and accounting.

Find employers offering finance apprenticeships

Discover which employers hiring apprentices in the finance and accounting sector, including Barclays Bank, Nationwide Building Society, Goldman Sachs, and more.

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FAQs about finance and accounting apprenticeships

Mike Dawson, finance apprentice at RSA

I wanted to be in a practical environment rather than in a classroom so I could apply my knowledge straightaway... Working towards an accredited qualification is also really important to me as I want to know I’m building the right knowledge for the industry, and I’m qualified at each level along the way.

Ann-Fernee Haye, finance apprentice at Lloyds Banking Group

This apprenticeship has finally opened the door to a career for me and that’s what I’ve always wanted. I’ve already got my first promotion as a senior fraud data analyst and I’m only at the start of my career. As long as you work hard and keep building your knowledge, there will always be roles and a need for finance skills.

Search for finance apprenticeships

Want to see what vacancies are out there or ready to apply? Search for your perfect apprenticeship.

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