Assistant Accountant – Apprenticeship
As an Assistant Accountant Apprentice you will learn how to assist in financial activities such as data entry, month end management accounts and year-end financial statements. This Level 3 apprenticeship could find you working in an accounts department helping a business or organisation manage their money properly.
During this apprenticeship, you will be required to learn the following knowledge, skills and behaviours:
KNOWLEDGE:
– Business Awareness: Understand the transactional processes and support provided by accountancy firms or the accounting function within an organisation. Understand the business strategy including customer and supplier needs.
– IT Systems and Processes: Understand how to enter accounting transactions, perform a reconciliation, correct errors and produce a range of reports using a computerised accounting system. Understand the systems and process of the organisation and the use of all relevant software packages.
– Ethical Standards: Understand the relevant Ethical Standards to professional reputation and integrity.
– Financial Accounting and Reporting: Understand the basic elements of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting standards required to process financial documents and report financial information to users of accounts. Understand the current financial standards for basic accounts preparation. Understand what is required to draft final accounts. Understand how to account for the purchase and disposal of non-current assets. Understand the basic tax principles to apply current regulations to calculate VAT and submit a VAT return.
– Management Accounting: Understand how to recognise and use different accounting approaches. Gather, analyse and report information about income and expenditure to support decision-making, planning and control.
SKILLS:
– Analysis: Effectively record and analyse financial data at the appropriate level using the organisation’s standard tools and processes. Communicate to all stakeholders to aid decision making to add value to the organisation, within the responsibility of the position.
– Communication: Work both independently and as part of a team within the organisation’s standards and demonstrate an ability to communicate both in writing and orally at all levels. Demonstrate the ability to communicate financial information in a way that non-finance staff can interpret and understand.
– Produce Quality and Accurate Information: Consistently deliver high quality, ‘right first time’ financial and performance data in a timely fashion in line with the organisation’s requirements, to aid decision making and planning.
– Use Systems and Processes: Demonstrate the ability to identify the appropriate systems and processes to work productively in order to complete required tasks. Maintain the security of accounting information using passwords and backup routines.
– Problem Solving: Apply techniques to both common and non-routine problems, analysing where required and selecting the appropriate tools and techniques to produce solutions. Escalate or seek guidance and support where appropriate.
BEHAVIOURS:
– Embracing Change: Accept changing priorities and working requirements readily and be flexible in order to maintain high standards in a changing environment.
– Adding Value: Identify opportunities to actively engage in the wider business when appropriate. Provide information that positively contributes to influencing business decisions whilst continually striving to improve own working processes and those of the organisation.
– Ethics and Integrity: Apply a transparent and objective manner in all actions and interactions to ensure that they meet the ethical requirements of the profession.
– Personal Accountability: Take the initiative for your own personal development. Proactively take responsibility for completing tasks and meeting expectations. Consistently prioritise in order to achieve timely outcomes.
– Productivity: Organise work effectively and achieve required results within deadlines. Perform professionally in pressurised situations and escalate appropriately when necessary.
– Team working and Collaboration: Consistently support colleagues and collaborate to achieve results.
Course details
Assessments
You will be required to undertake a synoptic end-test covering the knowledge and skills gained throughout the apprenticeship. You will also build a portfolio and have a reflective discussion which will comprise a range of evidence produced in the work-place to show that the you have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours required.
Entry Requirements
You must be employed in the relevant industry.
You should have grade 4/5 or above in English and Maths, plus three other GCSE qualifications. Alternatively you can have achieved an appropriate/relevant Level 2 apprenticeship.
Progression
As well as ensuring full competency as an Assistant Accountant, this standard provides the foundation for progression into a number of career paths in the Accounting sector including Audit Trainee, Corporate Recovery Analyst, Credit Controller or Tax Accountant.
Facilities and resources
As an apprentice, you will have full access to the college facilities.
Why Petroc should be your first choice
Petroc offers quality education and training across North and Mid Devon. We aim to provide outstanding learning, excellent facilities, strong connections to employers and a supportive environment to help you fulfil your education goals and set you on your path to the career of your dreams.
SUPPORTIVE
We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where you can flourish and feel a valued member of the college and wider community.Â
INSPIRING
Our teaching spaces and facilities are some of the best in the region, providing stimulating and true-to-life learning environments.Â
CONNECTED
We’ll provide you with the experiences you need to be ready for employment or the next step on your educational journey.