AAT Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant Apprenticeship
Subject: Accounting & Bookkeeping
This apprenticeship is ideal for those members of your team that are responsible for assisting the team with junior accounting duties or those are looking as first step into their accounting career.
Alongside working towards a Level 2 AAT qualification an Accounts/Finance Assistant’s work could include basic bookkeeping activities, working with sales and purchase ledgers, running calculations to ensure that records and payments are correct, recording of cash and data entry.
Providing the opportunity for members of your team to undergo apprenticeship training has many benefits to your organisation:
- Growing productivity: Maximise staff efficiency though the development of knowledge and increasing team motivation by developing a learning culture.
- Cost effective: Provide valuable opportunities which improve retention to minimising recruitment costs
- Develop your business: Affordable way to expand and improve your business
- Enhanced reputation: Provide customer reassurance by investing in trained staff.
The CAW Business School has a well-earned reputation for excellence; delivering quality training and education and employer support. Your apprentice will benefit from:
- Tuition, support and assessment provided in the workplace, online and via email and telephone contact
- Access to our unique Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and extensive eLibrary resources
Key Facts
- Attendance: Half-day classes or blended learning. If you undertake classroom sessions (rather than online blended learning), your day at college will consist of taught lessons in the morning, followed by tutor supported study time in the afternoon.
- Duration: 12-14 months (a minimum of six hours per week must be spent undertaking off-the-job training).
- Next start dates: Apprentices can start at any time and join the next available classroom session.
- Location: Huntingdon or blended learning.
Course delivery details:
| Location | Attendance Options | Day | Time |
| Huntingdon | Half-day release (am) | Wednesdays | 9:15am-1pm |
| Blended Learning | No college attendance required, start at any time | n/a | n/a |
Entry Requirements
In order for you to have an apprentice they must be living and working in England in a suitable role and cannot already hold a Level 2 (or above) qualification in a similar subject.
For the apprenticeship to be completed within 12-14 months the apprentice must be working a minimum of 30 hours per week. If they are employed for fewer hours then the length of their apprenticeship will be proportionately extended.
There are no formal academic entry requirements although competency in basic maths and English is necessary.
Should you be looking to recruit a new trainee to join your team we can help to advertise your vacancy and screen applicants free of charge, contact us for more information.
International qualifications
Students with foreign qualifications are required to have their certificates translated using a UK ENIC Statement to confirm if they have previously achieved Level 2 English and Level 2 maths for their apprenticeship. If a student has not previously achieved this, they will need to complete Functional Skills English and/or maths as part of their apprenticeship. More information about how to apply, how it works and prices can be found on the UK ENIC’s website here.
Course Content
This apprenticeship consists of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by someone in an Accounts/Finance Assistant role to develop the required finance skills and enhance professional status.
The professional qualification, Level 2 AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting, will also be undertaken.
Knowledge
The knowledge gained will provide the opportunity to improve both accounting skills and business awareness:
- General Business
- Understanding Your Organisation
- Accounting Systems & Processes
- Basic Accounting
- Ethical Standards
Skills
Transferrable skills will be gained to provide the confidence for the knowledge to be applied:
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Uses Systems and Processes
- Personal Effectiveness
Behaviours
Attitude and behaviours covered will provide the opportunity to learn what is required for occupational competence:
- Team Work
- Personal Development
- Professionalism
- Customer Focus
Assessment
An End Point Assessment will be required to achieve the apprenticeship. This consists of the following:
Structured interview - An independently assessed discussion which will be supported by a portfolio of evidence summary
In-tray test – A computer based test lasting 105 minutes which will consist of a combination of questions and data evaluations covering knowledge and skills of accounting systems and processes, basic accounting, attention to detail.
For the AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting that is included within this apprenticeship computer based exams or projects will be undertaken. As we are an AAT accredited exam centre these exams can be taken at College without the need to travel to an external exam centre.
Unless exempt Level 2 Functional Skills are assessed via online examinations and practical assessments.
Course Fees
Apprenticeship fees are payable by you as the employer. Prior to commencing the course an invoice will be issued for the total course fee.
As an employer you will either be an Apprenticeship Levy Payer (employers with over a £3 million pay bill) or Non-Levy Payers (employers with less than a £3 million pay bill).
Course fees for Apprenticeship Levy Payers
Levy payers in England will pay the full apprenticeship amount of £6,000 using their digital account.
Course fees for Non-Levy Payers
Non-levy paying employers in England are required to contribute 5% (£300 in one payment) towards the cost of the apprenticeship provided they use their digital account to process the claim for 95% funding available.
Fees are fully inclusive of End Point Assessment (EPA) fees, however, if a student needs to re-sit an exam, re-sit fees will be payable. In addition, payment for AAT membership, exam fees (approximately £424*) and textbooks will also be required.
Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.
These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of CAW Business School.
What Next?
Following this qualification many employers choose to continue supporting their staff and develop them further such as by supporting them to undertake the AAT Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship or related areas of business, such as Customer Service or Business Administration