Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship (Level 3)

This apprenticeship programme is designed to develop the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours in accounting principles, systems, and tools, building the foundations for a successful career within an Accountancy and Finance function.

Apprentices will also have the option to sit the exams to gain the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting alongside their apprenticeship.

Developed in partnership with globally recognised institutes and employers and firms of all sizes, a Kaplan Accountancy apprenticeship is anything but standard.

Who's it for?

Ideal for new and aspiring accountants, this apprenticeship helps learners progress to the next stage in their career when they have limited experience to date.

If you’re seeking to maximise the benefit of time used as part of off-the-job training and develop technical excellence coupled with sector relevant skills that can be directly applied to the role, this apprenticeship might be the right option for you.

Job roles

This apprenticeship will benefit individuals looking to start their career or already working in a junior role within an Accountancy department of finance function.

This apprenticeship is suitable for a wide range of roles including Assistant Accountant, Trainee Accounting Technician, Accounts Clerk, Cashier Finance Assistant, Purchase Ledger Clerk or Sales Ledger Clerk, but this list isn’t exhaustive.

One of the key things to success is that the job role and Line Manager provide the opportunities, support and relevant work based projects to be able to contextualise and apply the apprentice’s learning back in the workplace, to gain real competency in that area.

Career progression

An apprentice’s journey doesn’t end when their apprenticeship has finished. The next steps could be to progress onto a Level 4 Professional Accounting or Taxation Technician Apprenticeship, or even a Level 7 Accountancy or Taxation Professional Apprenticeship, which would enable them to become fully qualified Accountants.

Eligibility

Candidates must declare one of the following qualifications: A Level in Accounting, Level 2 AAT, passed the Consolidation Test in the Intro to Bookkeeping course, BTRN and BKCL, Level 1 or Level 2 City & Guilds in Bookkeeping and Accounts, or ITBK and POBC. Note that learners enrolled in Intro to Bookkeeping or BTRN/BKCL courses must confirm completion before acceptance.

Employers may require candidates to have at least a grade 5 GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English. Kaplan provides resources and support to help apprentices develop these skills if they do not meet this requirement initially. Apprentices without Level 2 maths or English will complete a Level 1 Functional Skills qualification during the apprenticeship. Before starting, candidates must have completed a Level 2 AAT Certificate in Accounting or passed a two-day bookkeeping course with assessment to ensure they start at a suitable level. This is free for apprentices.

Kaplan will support you to assess the job role suitability as part of your application.

Level

Level 3

Apprenticeship

Assistant Accountant

Optional qualifications

AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

18 months with Gateway at 15 Months

Costs / funding band

£12,000
Free for learners

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About the programme

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Build your talent pipeline

While talent is so transactional and often scarce, an entry level accounting apprenticeship provides a great opportunity to build future talent for your organisation.

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Workbased learning

Our programmes provide a structured, applied learning route that ensures learning and skills are directly applied to the role and maximises the time used as part of off-the-job training.

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Support and insight for managers

We have robust processes and reporting in place to ensure you and your line managers have all the insight you need to help your apprentices progress and succeed.

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Support for apprentices

Each learner has regular 1:1 contact and progress reviews to keep them on track, review their portfolio, and get them fully prepared for their final assessments.

Included in this apprenticeship

Our Assistant Accountant apprenticeship programme integrates four modules of technical training with work based experience. This ensures that learning and skills are directly applied to the apprentice’s role, and maximises the time used as part of off-the-job training.

For each module, learners benefit from attending scheduled classes taught by expert tutors in one of our training locations or via Live Online, combined with additional online learning that can be completed at their own pace. Classes are interactive and discursive, giving apprentices quality time with tutors and sector peers to support the development of their knowledge and skills and bring new perspectives to their thinking.

Learners also get access to engaging exercises which help them to apply their learning in real business scenarios. Relevant examples within the context of an Accountancy practice offer a proven method of enhancing understanding and application of a broad range of subjects whilst developing vital skills and behaviours.

AAT modules

Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements (FAPS)

Apprentices learn how to apply the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping, acquisition and disposals of non-current assets.

Management Accounting Techniques (MATS)

Apprentices will learn about the purpose and use of management accounting and learn the costing and spreadsheet techniques required for organisations and the principles behind cash management.

Tax Processes for Businesses (TPFB)

Apprentices will examine and apply VAT legislation requirements, calculate VAT, review and verify Making Tax Digital (MTD) VAT returns, understand principles of payroll, and study the implications of errors, late filing and payment, and how to report VAT related information.

Business Awareness (BUAW)

Apprentices will learn about different business types, structures, governance, and the legal framework they operate in and the impact of the micro and macroeconomic environment.

Self study

Innovative skills development

To complement the technical training, apprentices receive access to a series of online modules designed to support the development of sector relevant skills at the right time for their job role. Set within the context of familiar financial sector settings, learners are challenged to think about their role and the critical skills they need to develop to have a successful career working in finance. The modules give apprentices a safe place to think about topics such as:

Using a range of tools and demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with internal and external customers.
Applying a transparent and objective manner in all actions and interactions to ensure that they meet the ethical requirements of the profession.
Organising work effectively and achieving required results within deadlines.
Performing professionally in pressurised situations and escalating appropriately when necessary.
Communicating to all stakeholders to aid decision making to add value to the organisation, within the responsibility of the position.
Maintaining high standards in a changing environment.

Self study

Microsoft Specialist Skills

Optional modules covering core Microsoft products, over 100 hours of online tuition supports learners in preparing for Microsoft accreditaions. Globally recognised, our tuition and exams available at Associate and Expert levels will equip apprentices with the skills to unlock the potential of Microsoft Office products.

Available in a range of subjects including

Word
Excel
Powerpoint

date_range Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

View timetables

Why choose Kaplan?

The leaders in accountancy training

Kaplan has over 80 years experience in designing and delivering programmes that help individuals to achieve results and business to achieve success.

Future facing

Our apprenticeships equip your employees to make a positive difference in the workplace, applying their learning in real life projects which can transform teams and cultures.

Comprehensive learning

Learners attend scheduled classes involving lots of practical discussion and application, and combine this with additional online learning that can be completed at their own pace.

Expert teaching

Our tutors are all subject matter experts, with real world experience, and teach groups of diverse learners from organisations across the UK.

Support for employers:

Named client solutions point of contact to support you at every stage
Recruitment service to help you hire an apprentice for a new vacancy
Transparency throughout the application and onboarding process for your learners
Sector expert tutors and talent coaches delivering relevant training and development
Learning that is applied to your organisation through work based experience
Accurate, timely and accessible tracking for each learner
Line Manager visibility of your learner’s portfolio dashboards

Support for learners:

Tutor contact via email outside of scheduled classes
Regular 1:1 contact and progress reviews with their line manager and a named, industry experienced talent coach to keep them on track, review their portfolio and get them fully prepared for their End Point Assessment.
Peer to peer contacts from across the industry as part of a small cohort - creating opportunities to spark new ideas and get new perspectives
Apprenticeship ePortfolio to track their progress, capture off-the-job activity and hours, manage and capture progress reviews, upload evidence, as well as communication with their Talent Coach
Student Service support available 362 days a year
Work based projects and support from a line manager to be able to contextualise and apply their learning back in the workplace