Level 3 Finance Apprenticeship

Entry Requirement

You need to be aged 18 or over to apply for this scheme.

You cannot apply if you are a graduate already or hold a Level 3 and/or a Level 4 qualification (i.e. AAT) and/or a Level 7 qualification. You must have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 5 or higher, which must include English and Maths. You should also have achieved, or are predicted to achieve a minimum of grades A*-C from your top 3 A-Levels (or equivalent), not including General Studies. A-Level Maths is desirable but not essential.

Apprenticeships

Level 3 Finance Apprenticeship

Our Level 3 Finance Apprenticeship Scheme is an alternative route to university, and provides a unique opportunity to understand various aspects of finance and how they all interact with the wider business. You will enjoy generous study support, with the time and space you need to complete your qualifications. Plus, you will have plenty of opportunities to put your learning into practice.

You will be mentored and guided by former graduates and senior finance leaders, who will empower you to grow and develop. Working independently, you will learn how to excel in high pressured environments. And, as we are big believers in agile and flexible working and promoters of a diverse and inclusive culture, we will encourage you to bring your whole self to work every day.

If getting your finance career on-track through a mixture of professional training and real-life work experience matters to you.
You matter to us.

An exciting career matters.

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Level 3 Finance Apprenticeship

We have a large list of locations which can change every year. Please check back once applications are open to find out where you can apply in 2024. You can register your interest to be notified when applications open for this programme.

Start date: September 2024

Register Interest
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What you’ll be doing

In your first three years, you will rotate across a range of placements and a variety of departments, giving you a unique experience of how finance works within Network Rail. You will support finance teams with forecasting, budgeting, and analysis, as well as taking the lead on meetings and reporting to senior members of the company. Combining a wide variety of live projects and off the job training you will hone your skills as a future leader.

For the remainder of the scheme, Group Finance apprentices will be able to undertake placements in our route businesses within the regions whilst studying the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification as part of a Level 7 Apprenticeship.

Regional apprentices will move into a Band 5 role within the business and will have the opportunity to complete the CIMA Level 7 qualification through Network Rails sponsorship route.

Due to the huge amount of exposure and experience you gain in the early years of the scheme, you will often be in demand to complete complex projects for finance leaders. You will also have the support of your line manager and your apprenticeship talent coach in developing your Personal Development Plan (PDP). Our programme includes opportunities to collaborate with other apprentices and attend development days and volunteering opportunities.

Register Interest
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Who you are matters

We look for people with an analytical mind and a flair for financial planning. Enthusiastic about your work, you will enjoy collaborating with others and have the skills and ability to communicate with a variety of different people.

We invest in you and give you vast exposure to different areas and aspects of finance, because we believe you will be the future of our business. In return, we respect apprentices who are driven, hardworking, and who uphold Network Rail’s values and behaviours.

You cannot apply if you are a graduate already or hold a Level 3 and/or a Level 4 qualification (i.e. AAT) and/or a Level 7 qualification. You must have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 5 or higher, which must include English and Maths. You should also have achieved, or are predicted to achieve a minimum of grades A*-C from your top 3 A-Levels (or equivalent), not including General Studies. A-Level Maths is desirable but not essential.

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What you’ll get out of it

All apprentices will complete AAT Bookkeeper Level 3 and, Professional MAAT Level 4 qualifications, and Group apprentices will go on to complete CIMA Level 7 apprenticeship programmes and receive Associate status with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

At the end of your apprenticeship, you will be given the support you need to continue your career at Network Rail and move into one of our finance roles. The Finance Apprentice scheme is now in its eighth year (launched in 2015), and we are proud to say that its first cohort are working in permanent roles in the company. This is because we believe in recognising, developing, and promoting young talent.

At the end of your 5-year scheme, you will be eligible to apply for Finance Business Partner roles and earn a salary in the range of £43,588 – £49,037. Those on a 3-year regional scheme will be eligible to apply for Assistant Management Accountant roles.

We matter to millions. You could too.

Register Interest