Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027 - Milton Keynes

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Finance Apprenticeship Programme 2027

Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one apprenticeship programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in them not being considered.

Location: Milton Keynes

Start date: September 2027

Salary: £23,000

Duration: You'll join us in a permanent role from day one while completing an 18-month development programme.

Structure: You’re expected to work in the office at least 3-4 days per week and must live within a commutable distance

Qualification: Level 3 Accountancy apprenticeship

Finance Apprenticeship Programme

Play a Key Role in How Money Moves Through a Business

Ready to earn, learn and launch your career? This is more than your first job. You’ll gain real experience, work towards a recognised qualification and build skills that will shape your future.

Our Finance Operations team helps keep Howden’s Retail business running smoothly. From checking employee expenses and managing corporate card costs to processing invoices and supporting supplier payments, the team makes sure money is handled accurately and payments are completed at the right time.

You’ll work with colleagues across the business, gaining a valuable understanding of how a finance function operates while building practical skills that you can use throughout your career.

You’ll join Howden on a permanent role and complete an 18-month development programme designed to develop your technical knowledge, professional skills and confidence to kick start your career.

What you’ll be doing?

You will begin with a structured induction before joining our Finance Operations team, where you will work alongside experienced colleagues and gradually take on more responsibility.

During the programme, you'll:

- Learn how employee expenses are managed and use our expense claim system to review submissions.

- Check expense claims against company rules, making sure information is accurate and costs are in line with expectations.

- Support the management of corporate credit card costs and check that the correct approvals are in place.

- Review invoices from suppliers and help prepare them for payment.

- Help set up new suppliers by completing due diligence checks, including confirming accurate bank and business details.

- Use your attention to detail to maintain clear and accurate expenses records and documentation.

- Respond to questions from employees and work with teams across the business, including colleagues responsible for payments.

- Spot missing information or mistakes and escalate any issues to the Accounts Payable Manager.

Who are we looking for?

No insurance experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

You'll be:

- Confident working with numbers and interested in understanding how finance works.

- Organised and comfortable following clear processes.

- Detail oriented and able to complete your tasks with a high level of accuracy and actively spotting mistakes or missing information.

- Able to manage different tasks and meet regular deadlines.

- Able to articulate your ideas clearly, both in writing and verbally.

- Curious, willing to learn and open to feedback.

To be eligible for our apprenticeship, you must:

- Have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

- Have lived permanently in the UK for the last 3 years.

- Have achieved a grade C/4 in GCSE English and B/5 in GCSE Maths.

- Not already hold a qualification that significantly overlaps with the content of this apprenticeship.

Application process

Our application process is designed to help you show your potential, not to test what you already know!

- Online application form – no CV required: We believe you're more than just a document, so we won’t ask you to submit a CV. Please upload a blank document on the application form.

- Online gamified assessment: We’ve created games that will help us understand your natural strengths and how you approach different situations. There are no right or wrong answers. You can complete this stage on your phone or laptop, whichever suits you best!
- Pre-recorded video interview: You will record your answers to a few questions using your phone or laptop, giving you the chance to tell us more about yourself in your own time in a relaxed setting.
- Assessment centre: Our final stage is an in-person assessment centre at one of our offices. You'll take part in some fun group activities and meet our team in a relaxed setting. This day is all about getting to know you better and for you to see what it's like to be part of Howden and experience our culture. We'll cover all your travel costs for this day, because where you are now, shouldn’t hold back your future!

Why should you apply?

At Howden, people are at the heart of everything we do. As an employee-owned business, we believe success is built through collaboration, learning and supporting one another. You'll gain exposure to an exciting global industry, receive structured development throughout the summer and build relationships that could shape your future career.

You'll also benefit from:

- £23,000 and a generous pension scheme.

- Completing fully funded professional qualifications relevant for your role.

- Structured learning and development through our 18-month apprenticeship development programme.

- 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.

- Access to discounted personal health policies, wellbeing support and a range of employee benefits and insurance products.

Ready to apply?

Want to know what life at Howden is really like? Visit our Early Careers hub to explore our culture, learn more about the insurance industry, and get practical tips to help you prepare for our recruitment process. It's also a great way to work out which career path suits you best.

You can also follow our TikTok accounts, @earlycareersjo and @millieinsurancecareers , for behind-the-scenes insights into life at Howden, career advice, and application tips from our Early Careers team.

Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one apprenticeship programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in additional applications not being considered.

#ECApprentice27 #RetailECA27

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

- Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
- We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
- We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

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Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs.  Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent