Finance Apprenticeships with the Government Finance Function

Finishing school or college can be daunting for students, parents and teachers – all of whom start to question “what’s next?”

As a student, you may feel inundated with options and opportunities and you will need to decipher which one is the best fit for you. That’s where we come in. At the Government Finance Function (GFF), we offer multiple apprenticeship opportunities for budding finance professionals to kick-start their career. We’re providing you with the chance to gain hands-on practical experience and work on issues that directly impact public services and budgets, all while working to gain a professional finance qualification. We offer an experience that combines theoretical learning with real-world applications of finance.

Undertaking a finance apprenticeship will allow you to develop transferable skills such as effective communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership and project management, which will open doors to varied roles across the Civil Service. There are many benefits to a career in the Civil Service including job security, brilliant pension schemes and flexible working arrangements.

Joining the GFF means joining a diverse, inclusive community of finance professionals. You’ll have access to a supportive environment complete with mentoring, regular feedback and tailored learning plans. On top of this, you’ll have multitudes of networking opportunities with other finance professionals across the Civil Service, allowing you to develop workplace relationships to support your future career.

How do I find an apprenticeship with the GFF?

The best place to start when looking for a GFF apprenticeship is to look at the GFF careers website for live vacancies: www.financecareers.civilservice.gov.uk. Here, you’ll be able to use the job search function to filter for apprenticeship roles. Once you find an apprenticeship opportunity that you like the sound of, read the job description carefully. The job description will explain what’s expected for both the job and the apprenticeship and will set out how you’d be expected to balance your time.  The job description will also tell you which government organisation you’re applying for a role with. I’d always advise you to take a look at the organisations website and LinkedIn profile to gain a better understanding of their culture and mission. You can also check out the GFF’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/government-finance-function/.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship with the GFF?  

The GFF currently works with multiple apprenticeship providers including ACCA, AAT, CIMA, CIPFA and ICAEW, offering apprenticeship schemes at level 3, 4 and 7. Depending on which provider and level you choose, the application process might look slightly different. The specific stages of the application process will be outlined in the job description.

Applications may include a written segment, either asking you to submit a personal statement or respond to questions relating to the Civil Service success profiles. You can find out more about the success profiles at www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles.

Some applications include online testing. These are practical tests that candidates need no specialist knowledge or experience to complete and that act as an effective tool for hiring managers to assess people fairly and consistently. You might be asked to complete tests such as a numerical test, verbal test or judgement test. You can find more information about online Civil Service tests at www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-service-online-tests.

Lastly, most applications will include at least one interview element. This could be a pre-recorded interview where you answer a series of set questions via video, a virtual interview or an in-person interview.

If you have any questions about the application process, you can reach out to the hiring manager whose contact information will be clearly signposted in the job description.

What does an apprenticeship with the GFF look like?

Depending on which provider and level you choose, your scheme may look slightly different.

Apprenticeships typically take between 1-3 years to complete and usually involve working full-time, including one designated study day per week (80% of time in role, 20% of time doing off-the-job learning). On your study day you could be attending seminars, conducting research or completing assignments. There will also be opportunities to network with other apprentices in your cohort.

Throughout the duration of the scheme, you’ll be developing core skills relevant to the finance profession including strong communication, teamwork and collaboration, organisation, adaptability and resilience, and analytical thinking.

Different providers assess apprentices in different ways, but assessment methods can include a professional discussion, portfolio of evidence, presentation, exam, coursework, assignment or written report.

Want more information? Contact our team at GFFCareersOutreach@HMTreasury.gov.uk.