Accountancy Apprenticeships
Level 2 Accounts Finance Assistant
What is the course about?
A finance assistant is an integral part of the team responsible for maintaining an efficient and accurate finance function within a business. The finance assistant is responsible for assisting the team of accountants with junior accounting duties. These can vary massively depending on the team structure and size of business. A finance assistant’s work could include basic bookkeeping activities, working with sales and purchase ledgers, running calculations to ensure that records and payments are correct, recording of cash, and data entry. Finance assistants can work in almost any sector. Potential employers include corporate businesses, sole traders, partnerships, public sector, not-for-profit organisations, and educational institutions.
Accounts assistants may work in-house for an organisation or they might work for an accountancy firm, bookkeeping practice, or shared service provider. They may even become self-employed or work on behalf of several different clients. If you would like to gain the skills to secure employment in this thriving field, this apprenticeship is the perfect programme for you.
Key Information
Funding Band £6000
Apprenticeship Level 2
Delivered via day release, apprentices attend college one day per week during the academic year
Duration of practical period - 12 Months
Duration of End Point Assessment period - 3 Months
What will I learn?
Your programme of study with lead you through the fundamentals of accounting, ensuring a basic knowledge before moving on to core knowledge, skills, and behaviours required of this level 2 apprenticeship. The knowledge, skills, and behaviours covered during the programme are:
Knowledge:
General business
Understanding your organisation
Accounting systems and processes
Basic accounting
Ethical standards.
Skills:
Attention to detail
Communication
Uses systems and processes
Personal effectiveness.
Behaviour:
Teamwork
Personal development
Professionalism
Customer focus.
The assessment includes two distinct elements: on-programme learning and an end-point assessment (EPA). On-programme learning is an important element of the learning process as apprentices acquire the relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment of this learning will take an exam-based route, with the option to complete the AAT level 2 qualification.
The EPA will comprise of two components and will be assessed by an approved end-point assessment organisation, AAT.
How is the apprenticeship delivered?
Delivery will be in partnership with employers and adopt a blended approach of on-the-job and off-the-job training and professional development. You will receive training and mentoring in the workplace to enable you to demonstrate skills and create a portfolio of evidence which showcases the skills, knowledge, and behaviours. You will also attend weekly classes at college, during which all knowledge elements of the standard will be covered, and you will work towards achievement of on- programme knowledge exams via AAT.
Level 3 Assistant Accountant
What is the course about?
As an accounting assistant apprentice, you will provide support to internal and external customers and will work predominately either as an assistant accountant, or within the finance function of an organisation. Part of your role will involve assisting in day- to-day financial activities such as data entry, month end management accounts, and/or year-end financial statements. In addition, you may find yourself involved in regulatory financial requirements such as the completion of VAT returns or assisting in the preparation of tax computations.
Key Information
Funding Band £12000
Apprenticeship Level 3
Delivered via day release, apprentices attend college one day per week during the academic year
Duration of practical period - 15 Months
Duration of End Point Assessment period - 3 Months
What will I learn?
Your programme of study with lead you through the fundamentals of accounting, ensuring a basic knowledge before moving on to the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours required of this level 3 apprenticeship. The knowledge, skills, and behaviours covered during the programme are:
Knowledge:
Business awareness
IT systems and processes
Ethical standards
Financial accounting and reporting
Management accounting.
Skills:
Analysis
Communication
Produces quality and accurate information
Uses systems and processes
Problem solving.
Behaviour:
Embracing change
Adding value
Ethics and integrity
Personal accountability
Productivity
Teamworking and collaboration.
Assessment includes two distinct elements: on-programme learning and an end-point assessment (EPA). On-programme learning is an important element of the learning process as apprentices acquire the relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment of this learning will take an exam-based route, with the option to complete the AAT level 3 qualification.
The end-point assessment will comprise of two components and will be assessed by an approved end-point assessment organisation. Both components must be individually passed for you to be deemed competent:
A portfolio of evidence will be collected during your time on programme and submitted to showcase your work. You will be invited to discuss this portfolio with the independent end-point assessor. The independent assessor will seek to gain assurance of your competence by questioning. The outcomes of the portfolio and discussion will be graded.
A role simulation (synoptic) gives you the opportunity to tackle a series of business-related tasks through a simulation that reflects activities undertaken in a typical role at this level of compet
How is the apprenticeship delivered?
Delivery will be in partnership with employers and adopt a blended approach of on-the-job and off-the-job training and professional development. You will receive training and mentoring in the workplace to enable you to demonstrate skills and create a portfolio of evidence which showcases the skills, knowledge, and behaviours. You will also attend weekly classes at college, during which all knowledge elements of the standard will be covered, and you will work towards achievement of on- programme knowledge exams via AAT.
Level 4 Professional Accounting/Taxation Technician
What is the course about?
As a professional accounting / tax technician you will cover high-level accounting and finance topics and tasks. Students will look at and become comfortable with a wide range of financial management skills and applications, and will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports. Students will also learn about specialist areas such as tax, auditing, credit and debit management and cash and financial management.
Key Information
Funding Band £8000
Apprenticeship Level 4
Delivered via day release, apprentices attend college one day per week during the academic year
Duration of practical period - 15 Months
Duration of End Point Assessment period - 3 Months
What will I learn?
You will develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills in relation to the two areas of your chosen specialism- accounting and tax. You will need to meet core requirements common to both areas and one of the two technical knowledge option requirements. Upon completion of the apprenticeship standard, you will need to meet the following requirements to demonstrate your competency as a professional accounting/tax technician:
Technical knowledge (in accounting or tax)
Business awareness
Ethical standards
Regulation and compliance
Systems and processes.
In addition to this, you will demonstrate competence in the following skills and behaviours
Analysis
Communication Leadership
Planning and prioritisation
Produces quality and accurate information
Team working and collaboration
Uses systems and processes.
How is the apprenticeship delivered?
Delivery will be in partnership with employers and adopt a blended approach of on-the-job and off-the-job training and professional development. You will receive training and mentoring in the workplace to enable you to demonstrate skills and create a portfolio of evidence which showcases the skills, knowledge, and behaviours. You will also attend weekly classes at college, during which all knowledge elements of the standard will be covered, and you will work towards achievement of on- programme knowledge exams via AAT.
You will be assessed throughout the apprenticeship through an exam-based route as well as a portfolio of evidence to showcase your work and completion of business-related tasks.
Progress Reviews & Workplace visits
Throughout the apprenticeship there will be workplace visits known as progress reviews. Progress reviews take place at the following intervals
Right Choice Review - 4 weeks into the apprenticeship
Progress Reviews - Every 12 weeks
Its vital that a company representative/mentor is involved in all progress reviews, as the following elements will be discussed
Attendance
Behaviour
Developments towards learning aims
Development towards EPA portfolios
Signing off of EPA portfolio elements
Celebrations and concerns
Targets and actions
Pastoral support and tutorial topics
Feedback from the apprentice, employer and the college representative