Delivery is flexible to suit the individual apprentice and their employer. The apprentice will have a minimum of one tutorial per month either in person in the workplace or remotely via an online meeting. Group sessions may be available on some programmes.

• Individual employers set the selection criteria, but this is likely to include five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including Maths and English. Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification. 
• Apprentices must be employed in order to study for this qualification. Please see our Apprenticeship vacancies.
• The apprentice must be at least 16 years of age.

• Business awareness: 
  • Understands the transactional processes and support provided by accountancy firms or the accounting function within an organisation.
  • Understands their organisation's business strategy including customer and supplier needs, in order to produce relevant and compliant financial information.
  • Is aware of how their role fits in with the wider organisation and sector they are working in.
• IT systems and processes: 
  • Understands how to enter accounting transactions, perform reconciliation and correct errors.
  • Can produce a range of reports using a computerised accounting system.
  • Understands the systems and process of the organisation, within the responsibility of the position.
  • Understands the use of all relevant office and accounting packages used within their organisation.
• Ethical standards: 
  • Understands the relevant ethical standards to protect professional reputation and integrity.
  • Understands the importance of upholding relevant codes of conduct.
• Financial accounting and reporting: 
  • Understands the basic elements of double-entry bookkeeping.
  • Understands accounting standards required to process financial documents.
  • Can report financial information to users of accounts.
  • Understands the current financial standards for basic accounts preparation, in order to be able to make any necessary end of year adjustments.
  • Understands what is required to draft final accounts.
  • Understands how to account for the purchase and disposal of non-current assets.
  • Understands the basic tax principles to apply current regulations to calculate VAT and submit a VAT return.
• Management accounting: 
  • Understands how to recognise and use different accounting approaches.
  • Able to gather, analyse and report information about income and expenditure to support decision-making, planning and control.

• Analysis: 
  • Effectively records and analyses financial data using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
  • Communicates to all stakeholders to aid decision making.
• Communication: 
  • Works both independently and as part of a team within the organisation’s standards.
  • Competently demonstrates an ability to communicate both in writing and orally at all levels.
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with internal and external customers.
  • Demonstrates the ability to communicate financial information in a way that non-finance staff can interpret and understand.
• Produces quality and accurate information: 
  • Consistently delivers high quality, ‘right first time’ financial and performance data in a timely fashion, to aid decision making and planning.
• Uses systems and processes: 
  • Can identify the appropriate systems and processes for work, in order to complete the required tasks.
  • Demonstrates competent use of office and accounting packages.
  • Able to maintain the security of accounting information using passwords and backup routines.
• Problem solving: 
  • Applies techniques to both common and non-routine problems. Can analyse where required.
  • Selects the appropriate tools and techniques to produce solutions.
  • Escalates or seeks guidance and support where appropriate.

• Embracing change: 
  • Accepts changing priorities and working requirements readily.
  • Has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment.
• Adding value: 
  • Identifies opportunities to actively engage in the wider business when appropriate.
  • Provides information that positively contributes to influencing business decisions.
  • Continually strives to improve own working processes and those of the organisation.
• Ethics and integrity: 
  • Applies a transparent and objective manner to ensure that they meet the ethical requirements of the profession.
• Personal accountability: 
  • Takes the initiative for own personal development.
  • Proactively takes responsibility for completing tasks and meeting expectations.
  • Consistently prioritises in order to achieve timely outcomes.
• Productivity: 
  • Organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines.
  • Performs professionally in pressurised situations.
  • Escalates appropriately when necessary.
• Team working and collaboration: 
  • Consistently supports colleagues and collaborates to achieve results.
  • Aware of their role within the team and their impact on others.

This apprenticeship does not feature any external qualifications.

• Synoptic test
• Portfolio and discussion