Accountant Assistant - Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

This qualification will prepare apprentices for junior and entry-level accounting roles. It delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering areas such as double entry bookkeeping and basic costing principles. Learners will then move on to mastering more complex accounting disciplines including financial processes, advanced bookkeeping, final accounts and ethical practices for accountants.

Study Method – Online and On Campus

We have partnered with Mindful Educationto deliver this apprenticeship through our Online and On Campus model.

Online lessons can be accessed at any time, using a mobile, tablet or desktop - meaning apprentices can fit their study around work commitments, minimising disruption in the workplace.

On campus, apprentices benefit from face-to-face classes at College with an experienced tutor. A combination of classroom-based lessons, group exercises and discussion encourage apprentices to apply theory to real-life workplace situations.

This modern, flexible approach to apprenticeship training empowers learners, minimises disruption to employers, and delivers tangible results in the workplace.

Apprentices will attend college once every two weeks and will study online materials during allotted time at work.

For further information visit the Insitute of Apprenticeships.

This qualification covers a range of complex accounting tasks. Apprentices will learn and master financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping, final accounts, VAT issues in business, management accounting costing techniques and ethical practices for accountants. They will also gain software skills through spreadsheet training for accounting.

This apprenticeship standard is at Level 3, the current entry level for accounting apprenticeships. The structure allows students to achieve the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Foundation Certificate and Advanced Diploma in Accounting as their on-programme learning. This internationally recognised AAT qualification enables those working in accounting or those who looking to pursue accountancy as a career to gain knowledge, practical experience and the all-important certification often sought by employers.

Example modules

The Level 3 apprenticeship covers a range of key areas, including: 

• Advanced bookkeeping
• Final accounts preparation
• Management accounting: costing
• Indirect tax
• Ethics for accountants
• Spreadsheets for accounting

The skills and knowledge gained throughout this qualification will qualify learners for roles including Finance Officer, Assistant Accountant and Bookkeeper.

You will need:

• To be aged 16 or older
• To be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week with 20% of your normal working hours set aside for you to complete your training and study
• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths or Functional Skills at Level 2 in English and Maths

All applicants must have an interview and assessment in English and Maths to confirm that the apprenticeship is suitable for them.

Employers may also set additional entry requirements, as a prerequisite to working with them.

To complete the Assistant Accountant apprenticeship, apprentices will be expected to complete:

• A synoptic end-test covering the knowledge and skills gained throughout the on-programme stage and detailed in the standard.
• A portfolio and reflective discussion which will comprise a range of evidence produced in the work-place to show that the Apprentice has met the knowledge, skills and behaviours detailed in the standard. The reflective discussion will be a structured interview to examine this evidence and the learner journey in more detail.

Upon successful completion of the Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship, you can apply for AAT associate bookkeeping membership and become a professional AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB).

The skills and knowledge you will gain throughout this apprenticeship will qualify you for roles including Finance Officer, Assistant Accountant and Bookkeeper. You will also be eligible for AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB) status, giving you the option to work as a freelance bookkeeper.