Finance Graduate Apprenticeship

Entry-level Finance/Accountancy role at GE Aerospace involving rotations across Supply Chain Finance, Engineering Finance and FP&A, with support toward a CIMA or ACCA chartered qualification.

Job Description Summary

An entry level role for a talented candidate looking to start a career in finance. This role would be joining a market leading Engineering & Manufacturing company of state-of-the-art Aviation Systems equipment. The role would be to join and support the finance team in the Engineering, FP&A, Commercial and Supply Chain finance functions, gaining experience in a broad range of finance areas as they develop.

Job Description

About GE Aerospace

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives.  Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!  

With over 1,700 employees, GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham is one of the largest sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy.  

Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications.

The scale and complexity of engineering projects offer our employees unique opportunities to work on major international projects, developing critical aircraft systems that will be relied on by many people for decades to come.  

At GE Aerospace we strive to be an employer of choice by offering internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development programmes that create a workplace where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.  

Innovation, a commitment to engineering excellence and leadership development places GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham as a pioneering force in building the future of flight. 

Finance

Whether you want to work at one of our facilities as the site leader's right hand helping to make business decisions or at headquarters on a larger finance team, we have an opportunity for you. You’ll get to work with budgets of various sizes and complexities, while collaborating with others. Our finance and accounting teams span the globe, providing unmatched learning, development, and career growth opportunities.

Training

By applying for this role, you will also be supported through the Accountancy Taxation Professional Level 7 apprenticeship and will provide you with CIMA or ACCA. Here is the link to some information about the course.  Please ensure you have read and understood the information before making your application.

The apprenticeship rules mean that you will need to have 20% of your time “off the job,” this is not quite as transactional as one day a week out of the office. Your Line Manager & institution will support you to ensure you meet the requirements for this learning.

Here are some insights on what to expect when studying with our learning provider:

• ‘Flipped classroom’ model, during tuition periods apprentices are required to allocate between 4 – 5 hours per week to watch the recorded videos in advance of the scheduled live online (evening) Masterclasses. This can go towards your 20% off the job and any time spent on this during non-working hours- you will be given time off in lieu. 

• There are multiple deadlines per course (Checkpoint tests, Midpoint, Proficiency assessment etc) that need to be met. Once we understand what your programme will look like factoring in exemptions, this will be shared with you. 

• Regular (every 8-10 weeks) apprenticeship review meetings – to challenge knowledge, skills and behaviour development.

• You will need to upload (monthly) off the job training logs documenting time spent developing new skills to evidence the 20%

To be eligible to join this course and therefore this role:

• You need to be able to evidence GSCE/Level 2 Maths and English certificates

• You need to be able to evidence a L4 finance/accountancy qualification or equivalent

• You do not already have a similar level 7 qualification

If you are selected to attend an interview, in addition to competency questions we will question about your knowledge of the qualification and eligibility to ensure you are committed to this programme. It would be advisable to visit the CIMA and ACCA website to also be aware of what exemptions you have.

Useful Information

The training contract will start no later than September 2027 for a duration of 3 years. It will be based at the Cheltenham site (Gloucestershire).

The selection stages may include online assessments, video interview and a final on-site interview. 

Essential Responsibilities

Over a 3-year rotation you should expect to work in 3 major areas of finance associated with a manufacturing facility namely:

• Supply Chain finance

• Engineering finance

• Finance, Planning and Analysis

Whilst responsibilities will vary by function you can expect some key responsibilities as follows:

• Working on LEAN and improvement projects with a focus on streamlining, eliminating waste and driving more and more transparency around results and forecasts

• Cost control and budgeting

• Understanding technical accounting aspects to make compliant accounting decisions and inform the business

• Other diverse projects as and when required and depending upon development progress and performance

Supply Chain specific responsibilities:

• Partnering with the Supply Chain function across multiple teams (Production & Aftermarket, Site Services/Facilities, EHS, Materials, Sourcing & Quality) – approx. 600 employees in total

• Cost control and budgeting

• Cost out – material & conversion productivity related tasks

• Inventory – recording, control and management

• Losses – scrap and rework

• Resource planning – material and labour related planning

• Capital expenditure – investment in the site and production facilities

Engineering specific responsibilities:

• Partnering with the Engineering function across – approx. 800 employees in total

• Managing project budgets and approvals

• Driving execution of projects to budget and partnering with Engineering and Programme leadership teams to deliver against customer milestones

• Partnering with Engineering Operations teams to forecast Engineering project spend for both short, medium and long term forecasts

• Be a core part of the reporting framework around Engineering finance: driving standard work, standard analytics and a common understanding throughout our Engineering & Programmes community over the Engineering performance

FP&A specific responsibilities:

• Partnering with the Customer Programme team & other P&L functions

• Revenue & margin analysis

• Short term & long term planning

• Reporting business performance to local and HQ functions

Essential Qualifications/Requirements

• Finance/Accountancy Degree

• Placement year (preferably with GE Aerospace) within Finance

• Numerical acumen and an aspiration to enter and complete technical qualification as a Chartered Accountant

• Part qualified accountants looking to complete their technical training will also be considered

• You need to be able to evidence GSCE/Level 2 Maths and English certs

• You need to be able to evidence a L4 finance/accountancy qualification or equivalent

• You do not already have a similar level 7 qualification

Desired Characteristics

• Strong/Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Work experience/relevant internship

• Positive can-do attitude

• Able to fluently speak and write in English language

• Self-starter and able to problem solve using your initiative

• Able to work as part of a team and be an active contributor to team discussions and projects

• Flexible work style, ability to work under pressure and must be able to work on own initiative

• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan against deadlines efficiently

• Track record in creative thinking, process improvement and elimination of waste

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward.  Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.    

As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;   

• Performance based annual bonus  

• Non-contributory Pension              

• Life Assurance   

• Group income protection                

• Private medical cover        

• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell