Apprenticeship - Finance Assistant - Level 2 - CMB

Salary: From September 2026 - £8.00 per hour – Apprenticeship Wage during first 12 months. (If 19 years old or over, after 12 months your salary will increase to minimum wage for your age)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Carlisle – Parkhouse and Civic Centre

Contract: Apprenticeship

Start Date: From September 2026 onwards

Apprenticeship Duration: Typically 12 months

Closing Date: 9th March

Interviews: 30th March – 20th April 2026

Kickstart your career in finance with a hands‑on apprenticeship at the heart of Cumberland Council’s busy Finance Team! We’re excited to be recruiting Finance Assistant Apprentices to join us. As a Finance Assistant Apprentice, you’ll see how a real finance service operates day to day – from supporting budgeting and processing invoices to handling payments and keeping essential council services running smoothly for our communities.

No two days are the same, and you’ll be learning from experienced colleagues every step of the way. By the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll have solid finance experience, a recognised qualification, and a pathway into a brilliant career.

• Processing invoices and payments
• Supporting budget monitoring and financial reporting
• Helping teams across the council with financial queries
• Using finance systems and building confident digital skills
• Working with experienced colleagues who’ll support you every step of the way

• Complete the online application form and read all supporting information, including the Apprenticeship Description carefully.
• Answer the three questions telling us why you’re interested and how you have or would develop the essential skills, qualities and behaviours, providing examples. Indicate which apprenticeship you are applying for.
• List all your qualifications, including any predicted exam grades.
• Upload any additional information you’d like to provide, such as your CV or a covering letter.

We welcome applications from everyone. At Cumberland Council, we are dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce, mirroring the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive culture.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria. We are also an Age‑Friendly Employer, providing inclusive support for people aged 50 and over.

If you require reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please inform the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team at  Adjustments will be made where possible.

Candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role are eligible for a guaranteed interview scheme:

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long‑term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of these criteria, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application.