Accounting Apprenticeship – Level 2

Course content

The apprentice will study and demonstrate the core knowledge, skills and behaviours as laid out in the apprenticeship plan including knowledge of General Business, Understanding of your organisation, Accounting Systems & Processes, Basic Accounting, Ethical Standards, be able to demonstrate the skills; Attention to detail, communication, Use of Systems and Processes, and Personal Effectiveness, be able to display and understand behaviours in your role covering teamwork, Personal Development, Professionalism and Custom Focus.

What qualification will I get?

Apprentices will be required to take one of the professional qualifications listed below, as chosen by the employer to be most relevant to the job role:

• AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2)
• ACCA Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting (level 2)
• IAB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
• ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping

Apprentices without Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 prior to taking their endpoint assessment.

Course assessment

Apprentices are required to attend college once a week, the rest of the training will take place in the workplace with in-house training by the employer. Our Accountancy assessor will visit and observe the apprentice in practice.

• Knowledge – Your apprentice will attend college based classes and be able to access the college’s online learning environment where specially prepared learning materials are available 24/7.
• Skills and Behaviours – This training will be led by yourselves in the workplace. Our Assessors will visit your workplace to observer the apprentice undertaking their normal on-the-job duties, and complete reviews to make sure the apprentice is staying on track with their work. In conjunction with you and your apprentice, the Assessor will develop an action plan to show what knowledge units are being studied, what evidence needs to be prepared, as well as the time and date of the Assessors visits.
• Functional Skills – Individuals without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 English and Maths prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Benefits to employers

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way for any organisation to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Hiring an apprentice can help you improve productivity and reduce staff turnover.

There’s a wide selection of apprenticeships available, covering lots of different job roles to help you choose a qualification that quits your business needs. This helps you match the skills of the employees to the skills that you need.

Fees

If you have less than 50 staff and the apprentice is between 16-18 then the apprenticeship will be fully funded, you will only need to pay for the apprentice’s wages. If you choose to recruit an apprentice who is 19 or above, you will be required to pay 5% of the cost of the apprenticeship (the government will fund 95%).

If you are a large employer with 50+ staff, you will be required to fund 5% of the apprenticeship costs regardless of the age of the learner.

Employers with a wage bill of over £3 million will pay the cost of the apprenticeship through the apprenticeship levy. For more guidance on this please refer to our website.

Benefits to an apprentice

As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced, skilled staff, you will gain job-specific skills and training, you will earn a wage and get holiday pay whilst you train.

Progression on to a Level 3 and 4 which can be completed as an apprenticeship.

Most jobs in this sector are office-based with a typical 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday working week.