Accountancy Higher Apprenticeship

Qualifications

• AAT Level 4 Diploma
• Functional Skills Maths Level 2
• Functional Skills English Level 2

Units covered Throughout your Higher Apprenticeship you will cover the following:Financial statements

• Understanding the regulatory framework underpinning financial reporting
• Understanding key features of published financial statements
• Drafting a limited company’s statutory financial statements
• Drafting consolidated financial statements
• Interpreting financial statements using ratio analysis

Budgeting

• Preparing budgets and income and expenditure forecasts
• Assessing budgetary impact of internal and external factors
• Using budgetary control to improve organisational performance

Financial performance

• Collating and analysing cost information from various sources
• Measuring performance and managing costs appropriately
• Making suggestions for improving financial performance by monitoring and analysing information
• Preparing performance reports for management

Internal control and accounting systems

• Understanding importance and use of internal control systems
• Evaluating the accounting system and identifying areas for improvement
• Conducting ethical and sustainability evaluations of accounting systems
• Making recommendations to improve the accounting system

Optional units

The learner must choose two units from the following:

Business tax

• Completing corporation tax returns and supporting computations for incorporated businesses
• Understanding impact of legislation and legislative changes
• Understanding tax law and its implications for incorporated / unincorporated business
• Understanding capital assets

Personal tax

• Calculating income from all sources and identifying taxable and non-taxable items
• Applying current legislation to calculate tax payable on income
• Accounting for capital gains tax according to current legislation
• Preparing accurate computations and complete relevant parts of self-assessment tax returns

External auditing

• Planning an audit identifying areas for verification and associated risks
• Conducting a supervised audit
• Preparing draft reports for approval
• Understanding auditing principles and legal and professional standards required for an external auditor

Cash management

• Using statistical techniques and financial information to prepare income and expenditure forecasts
• Preparing cash to monitor an organisation’s cash flow
• Managing cash balances effectively
• Investing surplus funds, observing organisational policies

Credit control

• Understanding relevant legislation and impact on credit management
• Using information from various sources to grant customers’ credit within organisational guidelines
• Using a range of techniques for debt collection
• Monitoring and controlling credit supply

Entry requirements For Higher Apprentices, a good basic knowledge of Costing and Financial Accounts is required, plus the AAT Level.  An Initial Assessment will be completed with all Higher Apprentices to ensure sufficient understanding.Employed in a related job role for at least 30 hours per week. Who is it for? Anyone working in the Accounts/Finance profession who wants to achieve a recognised qualification to develop their skills or gain recognition for their workplace achievements. CostAged 16-18

Fully funded

Aged 19-23

Total People require employers to make a contribution towards the cost for all learners aged 19 years and over, embarking on an Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship programme.

Aged 24+

Total People require learners/employers to cover the cost of the whole qualification. A 24+ Advanced Learning Loan can be applied for through Student Finance England.

Duration 12 Months Start date Available throughout the year Assessment method

• Work Based Evidence
• Computer Based Assessments

Personal qualities

• Ability to work on their own between sessions to practice and complete homework and exam questions
• To be able to work under exam conditions
• Attention to detail and methodical approach
• Complete written explanations to justify their financial application methods

Further progression Qualifying as an accountant will open many doors to you. You will be able to show your employer that, along with being qualified, you have also shown commitment, dedication and professionalism. This could lead to promotion, higher rates of pay, managerial opportunities or a great starting point to a different career in Accounting such as surveyor or architect. Many apprentices decide to progress their education through professional qualifications like ONCs, HNCs, and even degrees.Professional Accountancy qualifications includes:

• CIMA or ACCA
• AAT Level 4 Diploma enables learners to gain Accreditation against the first level modules of the CIMA and ACCA qualifications

Additional Information The accounting qualifications offered by the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) are based on the work that is carried out in accounting occupations. They provide the knowledge and skills that enable people to move from one task to another and from one job to another.The Accounting framework for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships has been developed by employers and providers to meet the needs of small and medium enterprises through to the largest organisation. It provides a structured approach to training and developing prospective accountants who understand the needs of the organisation, its customers and the sector within which they operate.
The FSP (Financial Skills Partnership) is responsible for the development of the Nationally Occupational Standards and Apprenticeships in Accounting.Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide work-based training and development for any learner from the age of 16. Employers play an active part in the programme by providing potential learners with opportunities to learn in their workplace.