Level 2 Accounts or Finance Apprenticeship

About this course

Apprenticeships are a popular choice for people aged 16 or above, looking to earn a salary, receive on the job training and the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications.

An apprenticeship in AAT/Accounting will develop your accounting and finance skills. You will need to have a contract of employment, and work for at least 30 hours each week.

Apprenticeship vacancies can be found at www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk

Job Roles

You will need to work in a business and be involved with the financial processes - from preparing accounts to creating reports, finance administration and recording assets.

Your exact duties will depend on your employer.

What will the course involve?

To gain the full apprenticeship you will work towards the following qualifications:

• Level 2 AAT Introductory Certificate in Accounting
• Functional Skills level 1 in Maths and English

Course units include:

• Principals of recording and processing financial transactions
• Maintaining and recording the cash book
• Providing basic cost and revenue information
• Processing ledger transactions and extracting a trial balance

You will attend college for one day per week over one academic year.

What qualifications will I need?

Minimum grade C at GCSE in English and Maths are an advantage, otherwise a minimum Level 1 qualification is required. You will need to demonstrate an interest in accounting. All applicants for apprenticeship training will be required to attend an interview and undertake initial assessments.

How will I be assessed?

An assessor will visit you and provide support in your workplace. Your portfolio of evidence will be assessed, and there are also external examinations.

If you have achieved Grade C or above in Maths and English (or Grade 4 or above on the new grading scheme), you will not be required to undertake Functional Skills.

If you have achieved less than these grades, you will be required to achieve a minimum Level 1 Functional Skills prior to or during the apprenticeship. These will be assessed through external examinations and workshops.

Next Steps

This qualification is ideal if you want to work in accounts, and achieve a formal qualification. Additionally, on completion you could progress onto the Level 3 apprenticeship in accounting or alternative business qualification.

Job roles this apprenticeship could lead to include accounts administrator, bookkeeper or a purchase ledger clerk.

The approximate starting salary for an accounts administrator is £18,000 and for a payroll clerk, the approximate starting salary is £20,000.