Accounting

This Apprenticeship could find you working in an accounts department, helping a business or organisation manage their money properly.

Running a business involves a lot of financial activities, from expenses and bills to taxes and payroll. Accountants keep track of all these things and more to make sure that businesses – both large and small – manage their money properly. Having a business brain, as well as a way with numbers, is a good start if you want to work in accounting.

Job roles in accountancy vary. Depending on whether they’re keeping track of one person’s or a global corporation’s finances, there are several things that accountants can do to help their clients’ businesses. This variety often makes it an attractive profession to pursue. You could work in literally any industry, and apply your skills to any business type – from large public sector companies and major corporations, to football clubs and small media firms. Whatever type of company you want to work for, they will always need the services of an accountant.

Accounting itself is a highly skilled profession, with accounting staff working at many different levels. Apprentices will take the AAT NVQ qualification relevant to their Apprenticeship level.

Apprentices who qualify as accounting technicians might work as accounts assistants, credit control clerks, accounts clerks, or finance assistants, all helping accountants to keep financial records and prepare accounts. You’ll learn how to balance accounts, process invoices and payments, complete VAT returns, and help prepare financial statements and reports. 

If you complete the Higher Apprenticeship, you can progress to full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians. You could then complete a professional accountancy qualification with a chartered body such as ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or ICAS. Successfully completing the Higher Apprenticeship offers a fast track route onto chartered studies through exemptions from certain parts of the syllabus. The extent of these exemptions is different from body to body.

This progression can lead to a specialist role in accounting. It’s also possible to enter a higher education course in a subject related to accounting, banking, insurance, or other financial services. If you’re interested in a finance career, an Apprenticeship is a great way to get into the market.