AAT Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship
Subject: Accounting & Bookkeeping
Please note that to undertake this apprenticeship you must be employed within a suitable role.
As an assistant accounting apprentice, you will be employed in a finance role gaining vital practical skills and experience, and earning a wage alongside studying your formal AAT apprenticeship qualification.
This AAT apprenticeship is ideal if you have been working in finance for some time but are looking to further develop your accounting skills. You will assist with day to day financial activities such data entry to month end management accounts and/or year-end financial statements. You may also help with the completion of VAT returns or assist in the preparation of tax computations.
CAW Business School has a well-earned reputation for excellence; delivering quality training and education and employer support. As an apprentice you will benefit from:
- Tuition, support and assessment provided in college, online and via email and telephone contact
- Access to our unique Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and extensive eLibrary resources
Key Facts
- Attendance: Half-day/evening classes or blended learning.
- Duration: 15-18 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.
- Location: Huntingdon or blended learning.
Course delivery details:
| Location | Attendance Options | Day | Time |
| Huntingdon | Half-day release (am) Evening |
Thursdays Thursdays |
9:15am-1pm 5:30pm-8:30pm |
| Blended Learning | No college attendance required, start at any time | n/a | n/a |
Entry Requirements
There are no set academic entry requirements but we recommend you have a minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths and English or have achieved the AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping or Accounting qualification. Other relevant qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis.'
You will need to be living and working in England in a suitable finance role, earning at least the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices. To complete this apprenticeship within 15-18 months you will need to be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week, if you are working less than 30 hours a week the length of your apprenticeship will be extended depending on your working hours.
If you have a level 3 (or above) qualification in a similar subject you may not be able to undertake this apprenticeship, in which case you may wish to undertake the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting as a standalone qualification.
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 Assistant Accountant role to develop the required finance skills and enhance professional status.
Knowledge
The knowledge gained will provide the opportunity to improve both accounting skills and business awareness:
- Ethical standards
- IT systems and processes
- Business awareness
- Financial accounting and reporting
- Management accounting
Skills
Transferrable skills will be gained to provide the confidence for the knowledge to be applied:
- Analysis
- Communication
- Production of quality and accurate information
- User systems and processes
- Problem solving
Behaviours
Attitude and behaviours covered will provide the opportunity to learn how to take responsibility for personal and professional success:
- Embracing change
- Adding value
- Ethics and integrity
- Personal accountability
- Productivity
- Team working and collaboration
Assessment
An End Point Assessment will be required to achieve the apprenticeship. This consists of the following:
Synoptic end-test- An independently assessed computer-based end-test to assess the knowledge and skills gained
Portfolio - A portfolio of evidence to demonstrate learned knowledge, skills and behaviours. Evidence will be gathered could include items such as emails, letters, presentations and appraisal information.
Reflective Discussion - With an independent assessor under exam conditions.
The AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting (that is included within this apprenticeship) will be assessed by computer-based exams or projects. 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. Please note, the AAT qualification must be completed before you take the End Point Assessment.
Unless exempt Level 2 Functional Skills are assessed via online examinations and practical assessments.
Course Fees
Apprenticeship course fees are payable by the employer.
Fees are dependent upon the size of the organisation you are employed in as this will impact if your employer is a levy payer, or a non-levy payer.
Course fees for Apprenticeship Levy Payers
Levy payers in England will pay the full apprenticeship amount of £12,000 using their digital account.
Course fees for Non-Levy Payers
Non-levy paying employers in England are required to contribute 5% (£600 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 £472*) 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?
On completion of the AAT Level 3 Accounting Apprenticeship, many learners choose to continue their journey towards becoming an AAT qualified Accounting Technician. You may wish to undertake the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting or Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Accounting programme.
Testimonials
"I enjoyed having face-to-face sessions and having a tutor in front of you; it was helpful when you needed to ask questions. I didn’t know much about accounting at the beginning but I’ve learnt a lot".
Robert Lynch, Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship (January 2023)
What our AAT students say…
We asked our students what aspects of their AAT course they have most enjoyed. Here are some of the things they had to say!
- “Learning new skills, socialising with people within a similar field of work and with similar goals”
- “I have really enjoyed the classes and follow up activities for homework. The resources are very good”
- “Manageable sections. Broken down so not overloaded with information”
- “Good tutor making a hard subject easy to understand with good examples”