Finance Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme

Job summary

Discover a career in finance with an apprenticeship at HMRC - YouTube

Are you interested in starting or continuing your career in finance?

Can you use your brilliant attention to detail skills to complete work to a high standard?

Like the idea of work placements across a range of Finance teams, which will give you a unique experience of how finance works within HMRC?

Find out more about this fantastic offer at HMRC-Finance Apprenticeships , Civil Service Careers. Please pay particular attention to the FAQ section.

We will also be running two webinars on the following dates to provide more information about HMRC, the role, why you should apply and application process details.

11:30 am – Friday 13th March Candidate Information Session - Finance Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme – Fill in form

10:00 am – Wednesday 18th March Candidate Information Session - Finance Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme – Fill in form

Our financial services are vital not only to the everyday running of HMRC but to building the Department’s future as a trusted, modern tax and customs department. To do this, we need great people like you to support and build a professional, empowered and inclusive Finance Function right across HMRC.

You will study towards an Association of Accounting Technicians a Level 3 & Level 4 apprenticeship.

This is a 3 year programme, with 2x18month placements on the scheme.

Following your first 18months on the scheme (at Administrative Officer grade) and subject to meeting the required milestones of the scheme (satisfactory progress with study programme & Line Manager endorsement), you will have the opportunity to apply for advancement to Officer grade through an assessment process and if successful you will be offered a permanent contract for the remainder of the scheme.

You will progress on to complete the AAT Level 4 apprenticeship for a further 18 months in a new placement.

Job description

You will carry out work placements across a range of Finance teams, which will give you a unique experience of how finance works within HMRC, ensuring that you gain the variety and breadth of experience.

Your work placement responsibilities may include:

• Financial Accounting; understanding the accounting and financial activities of HMRC, documenting, summarising and reporting information.

• Budgeting and Forecasting; developing effective financial management and budget control skills, monitoring budgets on behalf of your business area.

• Financial Data; using in-house systems to provide accurate financial data reports.

• Financial Statements; using your analytical skills to produce accurate and timely reports and interpreting the financial data if necessary.

Person specification

About you

• You have exceptional communication skills and can use clear and concise language to convey your opinions and ideas, including making best use of digital resources.
• You have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• You demonstrate a clear enthusiasm for finance and a commitment to ongoing learning
• You enjoy finding creative solutions to problems and using these solutions to inform decisions.
• You have good interpersonal skills and are comfortable dealing with others.

Essential Criteria

• External Applicants will require 5 GCSEs - grades 9-4 or grades A* to C, including Maths and English or equivalent.
• Existing Civil Servants will require GCSE Maths & English, Grades 4-9.
• Applicants cannot be on, or have started, another apprenticeship or government funded course, including anyone who has already used Apprenticeship Levy funding for a Finance & Accounting qualification
• Aged 16 or over by 1 September 2026

If you hold a finance degree, please reconsider applying for the Finance Foundation Apprenticeship, as you may be deemed overqualified and might not meet the training provider’s eligibility criteria. Instead, take a look at our Finance Graduate Scheme, designed specifically for degree holders and currently open for applications (advert 451636).

Important Information

Existing Civil Servants currently at a higher grade than AO, will be opting to voluntarily downgrade if successful which would be a permanent change to your terms and conditions.

All applicants should refer to the FAQs to understand terms of the apprenticeship employment contracts.

As part of the application process, all applicants must pass our external training provider’s eligibility assessment for the apprenticeship. You will be assessed against Level 3 apprenticeship standard. Your appointment will not be confirmed until this assessment has been completed.

Please note: Failing to adhere to the programme’s terms and conditions and keeping up with your apprenticeship commitments could put your place on the scheme at risk.

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it’s important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Qualifications

External Applicants will require 5 GCSEs - grades 9-4 or grades A* to C, including Maths and English or equivalent.

Existing Civil Servants will require GCSE Maths & English, Grades 4-9.

Applicants cannot be on, or have started, another apprenticeship or government funded course, including anyone who has already used Apprenticeship Levy funding for a Finance & Accounting qualification.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,016, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £8,116 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

There are five stages:

Stage 1: Application form

Applications for the programme close 11:55pm on 23rd March 2026.

You will be asked to complete:

Part 1 - A basic short application form, detailing your personal details.

Part 2 - A 500-word personal statement. Your personal statement should show how you meet the person specification for this role.

How to write your PS, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) This may assist you in providing the evidence required in your Personal statement.

Part 3 - You will then be invited to complete the Civil Service Numerical Online Test. If you have banked a score in the last 6 months this will automatically be used. If it’s under the pass mark, we’re unable to progress your application, and retakes aren’t possible.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23rd March 2026 at 23:55pm

If you fail to complete the application and the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

The deadline for both the test and the application is 23rd March 2026 at 23:55pm

Meeting the minimum standard is no guarantee of an invitation to continue the selection process.

Before the next stage your application will be sifted to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and test scores will be reviewed.

Stage 2: Online tests

If you pass the eligibility criteria sift and Numerical test score review, you will be invited to complete 2 further online tests, the Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Judgement Test.

Meeting the minimum standard is no guarantee of an invitation to continue the selection process.

You will receive an invitation, after the advert closing date, to sit the next 2 online tests. The test window will open 6th April 2026 and deadline for completing the test is 12:00am on 9th April 2026.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is Insert closing time on insert closing date.

If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

After the test deadline, applications will be put on hold, and we will review scores if you meet the minimum standard for the test your application will be put on hold for further consideration.

Banked scores- if you have already taken the Numerical or Verbal tests your banked score is used automatically. If it’s under the pass mark, we are unable to progress your application, and retakes are not possible.

We reserve the right to increase the scores for all tests to manage the applications through to next stage. You will be informed if you have passed or failed the raised standard.

Successful candidates will be invited to the next stage of the selection process.

Stage 3: Pre-Recorded Interview

If you have been successful in stages 1 and 2 you will be invited to a pre-recorded video interview, where you will be assessed on strength-based questions.

This is an example of a strengths-based question.

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Further details regarding the interview will be provided with your invitation.

Pre-Recorded Interviews will open on the Monday 20th April 2026 with interviews needing to be completed by Tuesday 28th April 2026.

Stage 4: Virtual Assessment Centre

If you have been successful at the pre-recorded interview stage, you will be invited to attend a virtual online assessment centre. This will consist of a group exercise, written exercise and a live interview.

The assessment will be based on Behaviours.

We expect the virtual online assessment centre to be held between 1st June 2026 and 8th June 2026

Please note that dates above are subject to change, further details will be provided to successful candidates at each stage.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

You will be informed if you have passed or failed the raised standard.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

This role is not eligible for skilled worker sponsorship.

The Home Office has specific rules around eligibility for sponsorship, including a minimum salary requirement of £41,700. In some cases, the minimum can be reduced to £33,400 (via ‘tradable points’) but this role pays below both amounts and therefore is not eligible.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, merit lists will be created for each location advertised within the vacancy. If you are successful at interview, you will be placed on the merit list for any locations you have expressed an interest for. Appointments from each merit list will be made in strict merit order.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the ‘location preferences’ section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jenny Gaywood
• Email : team.financeprofession@hmrc.gov.

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.