Financial Management Apprenticeship

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.

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. 

 

 

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. 

• Training

  Further information?
  
  We encourage you to contact Lauren Graham, Principal Accountancy Assistant via email lauren.graham@durham.gov.uk if you have any questions about this opportunity.
   
  Durham Works
  
  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 Durham Works.  This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing. Visit  Durham Works
   
  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  Employability Durham
  
  Durham Enable
  
  If you are 18+, have a neurodivergence or disability and fit the criteria, Durham Enable offers dedicated Job Coaching support from pre-application to post employment. Helping disabled people get and keep the right jobs for them.   Visit  Durhamenable

• Skills Required

  Communication skills, Number skills, Team working

• Employer Description

  The council is made up of an elected assembly of 126 councillors accountable to nearly 530,100 people in County Durham. We are responsible for providing a wide range of public services to the people of the county.

  We also represent and promote the interests of County Durham when dealing with regional, national and international affairs. Through effective local government, we allow local people to look after their own affairs and to decide how and where money is best spent in their area.

  Our powers and responsibilities are determined by Parliament with county council elections held every four years. The most recent election was held in May 2017.

20/08/2026

Further information?

We encourage you to contact Lauren Graham, Principal Accountancy Assistant via email lauren.graham@durham.gov.uk if you have any questions about this opportunity.
 
Durham Works

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 Durham Works.  This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing. Visit  Durham Works
 
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  Employability Durham

Durham Enable

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

Communication skills, Number skills, Team working County Durham DH1 5UL County Hall County Hall County Durham Durham County Council