Finance Graduate Apprenticeship, Cheltenham
GE Aerospace Finance Graduate - Cheltenham
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.
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!
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 funding 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 2025 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:
Degree qualified or relevant work experience
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;
Non-contributory Pension
Life Assurance
Group income protection
Private medical cover
Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell
Recruitment Process
As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, you may be invited to a video interview. If successful, you may then be invited to the final stage which would be to attend an assessment centre on site. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated.
If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via UKEarly.Careers@ge.com
Please note our applications will close on Sunday 24th November but may close earlier dependant on application volumes. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Security Clearance
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS
Right to Work
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. Further, under immigration rules, sponsorship is not available for all posts. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Whether we are manufacturing components for our engines, driving innovation in fuel and noise reduction, or unlocking new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity, our GE Aerospace teams are dedicated and making a global impact. Join us and help move the aerospace industry forward.