Alongside this role you will be completing the course Accounting > Level 5

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• Accountancy at  Belfast Metropolitan College

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Role Summary

The Apprentice Finance Assistant will support accurate and timely financial processing across ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall. Working under supervision, you will rotate across core finance activities including purchase ledger, sales ledger, reconciliations and event settlements  while undertaking the Level 5 Accountancy apprenticeship with Belfast Met (Titanic Campus). You will learn how we manage finance in a live events, hospitality and conferences environment and contribute to month‑end routines, financial controls and reporting that underpin our economic impact goals for Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Key Duties

Sales Ledger / Accounts Receivable 

• Raise and post sales invoices and credit notes accurately; support event settlements and cash allocations.
• Assist with ticketing income and deferred income reconciliations.
• Learn credit control processes; support monthly debtor reconciliations and chasing where appropriate.

Purchase Ledger / Accounts Payable 

• Set up new suppliers in line with controls; match/verify invoices to POs and goods receipts.
• Code and process supplier invoices for authorisation and payment runs.
• Reconcile supplier statements to ensure completeness and resolve queries.

Banking & Reconciliations 

• Assist with daily cash, card and bank postings; prepare bank reconciliations.
• Learn how to investigate and clear reconciling items promptly.

Month‑end & Reporting 

• Support accruals, prepayments and journals as directed.
• Help prepare routine finance schedules and statutory/industry returns (e.g., PRS/FEU) under supervision.
• Develop working knowledge of internal controls, audit evidence and documentation standards.

Events & Settlements 

• Support entertainment settlement calculations and documentation in line with contract terms.
• Understand event‑based cash flows and how operational activity translates to financial results.

Systems & Continuous Improvement 

• Use our finance systems and Microsoft 365 (especially Excel) to maintain accurate records.
• Contribute ideas to streamline processes and strengthen controls; help update finance procedures.

People, Culture & Compliance

• Demonstrate values‑led behaviours.
• Deliver excellent stakeholder service (internal and external).
• Follow BWUH policies including Health & Safety, Data Protection and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
• Participate in induction and ongoing training

Helpful links

Core Competencies 

• Communication: clear, concise communication (written and verbal) with colleagues and customers.
• Numeracy & Attention to Detail: accuracy in data entry and reconciliation; comfortable with spreadsheets.
• Organisation: plans and prioritises to meet deadlines, especially around month‑end peaks.
• Customer Focus: professional, solution‑focused approach with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analysis & Problem Solving: able to follow procedures, spot anomalies and escalate appropriately.
• Teamwork: works collaboratively, shares learning and supports “One Team” goals.
• IT Proficiency: confident with Microsoft 365 (particularly Excel); ability to learn finance systems quickly.

Essential Criteria

1. Eligibility to enrol on and complete the Level 5 Accountancy (ApprenticeshipsNI) programme with Belfast Met (Titanic Campus) in line with the provider’s entry requirement: 

• A minimum of 96 tariff points (UCAS New tariff points for entry to Higher Education) from any A Level subject combination; or a minimum of MMM profile on Extended Diploma in Business and Finance or related area.
• You must also have minimum Grade B/6 in GCSE Maths and Grade C/4 in GCSE English (or equivalent)

2. Evidence of interest in a finance career and one of the following:

• finance or admin experience/work shadowing (e.g., cashiering, AR/AP, bookkeeping), or
• completion of an entry‑level finance qualification (e.g., AAT Level 2/3 or equivalent)

3. Confident Excel skills (lookups, filters, basic formulas) and accurate data entry.

Desirable Criteria

• 6-12 months’ experience in a junior finance role (AR/AP, reconciliations, bank).
• Exposure to a computerised accounting system (e.g., Sage, Xero, MS Dynamics or similar)
• Experience in hospitality, events or multi‑site environments.
• Understanding of purchase order processes and three‑way matching.
• Experience supporting credit control or supplier statement reconciliations.

Note on shortlisting

Where there is a high volume of applications, we may apply the desirable criteria in order of priority (experience in AR/AP; sector exposure; systems experience).