Professional Accounting/Tax Technician (Level 4 Apprenticeship)
Subject: Accounting & Bookkeeping
Please note that to undertake this apprenticeship you must be employed within a suitable role.
This apprenticeship is ideal for those who have already completed the Assistant Accountant (Level 3 Apprenticeship) or AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting qualification. You will gain the core knowledge, behaviour and skills to excel in your role and have the opportunity to take one of two technical knowledge options; Accounting or Tax, depending on your job role and interests.
The AAT qualification is respected by employers around the world, providing you with excellent career prospects. Once you complete this qualification you will be a fully qualified accounting technician and enjoy elevated professional status, increasing your career and salary prospects.
As an 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.
You will attend college for day per week during term time. Outside of the classroom you will be learning on-the-job gaining valuable accounting and employment skills in a real life setting.
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: 18-24 months (a minimum of six hours per week must be spent undertaking off-the-job training).
- Next start dates: Enrolling now, please contact us for details.
- Location: Huntingdon or blended learning.
Course delivery details:
| Location | Attendance Options | Day | Time |
| Huntingdon | Evening Half day release |
Mondays Tuesdays |
5.30pm-8.30pm 9.15am-1pm |
| Blended Learning | No college attendance required, start at any time | n/a | n/a |
Entry Requirements
You must be competent in manual double-entry bookkeeping and have completed the Level 3 Assisting Accountant Apprenticeship or the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting qualification. If you do not have a level 3 qualification please contact us to discuss suitability for the course as other qualifications may be acceptable.
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 18-24 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 4 (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 4 Professional 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 to develop the finance skills needed by a Professional Accounting or Tax Technician and to enhance professional status.
Knowledge
The knowledge gained will provide the opportunity to improve both accounting skills and business awareness:
- Accounting and Tax
- Business awareness
- Ethical standards
- Regulation and compliance
- Systems and processes
Skills
Transferrable skills will be gained to provide the confidence for the knowledge to be applied:
- Analysis
- Communication
- Leadership
- Planning and prioritisation
- Production of quality and accurate information
- Team working and collaboration
- Use of systems and processes
Behaviours
Attitude and behaviours covered will provide the opportunity to learn how to take responsibility for personal and professional success:
- Adaptability
- Adding value
- Ethics and integrity
- Proactively
- Professional scepticism
Assessment
An End Point Assessment will be required to achieve the apprenticeship. This consists of the following:
Role Simulation- An independently assessed role simulation based upon a series of business-related tasks
Portfolio and Reflective Statement- A portfolio of evidence to demonstrate learned knowledge, skills and behaviours will be required along with a reflective statement to reflect on the port
For the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma 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 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 £8,000 using their digital account.
Course fees for Non-Levy Payers
Non-levy paying employers in England are required to contribute 5% (£400 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 £564*) and textbooks will also be required.
* 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?
After completing the AAT Level 4 Accounting Apprenticeship, you will be able to apply to become an AAT full member and use the letters MAAT after your name. You’ll enjoy elevated professional credibility and status, increasing your opportunities for career progression and fulfilling your salary expectations.
The Level 4 AAT qualification will allow you to work in a variety of roles, such as Assistant Auditor, Assistant Management Accountant, Assistant Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor, Commercial Analyst, Payroll Manager, Senior Bookkeeper, Senior Financial Officer, Tax Investigations Officer, Personal Tax Assistant and Business Tax Assistant.
Become self-employed
You may choose to start up your own business. As an AAT member in practice (MIP) you can offer accountancy, taxation or related consultancy services to the public in the UK or Channel Islands. More information on this can be found on the AAT website.
Become a chartered accountant
You may decide to continue your studies by becoming a chartered accountant. All the UK chartered and certified accountancy bodies recognise the AAT Accounting qualification and will give you exemptions from certain modules. Read more.
Testimonials
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”