Accounts or Finance Assistant
An Accounts or Finance Assistant is an integral part of the team responsible for maintaining an efficient and accurate finance function within a business.
The Accounts or Finance Assistant is responsible for assisting the team of accountants with junior accounting duties. These can vary massively depending on the team structure and size of business. An Accounts or 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. Accounts or finance assistant can work in almost any sector.
Apprenticeship information
Entry requirements
- A minimum of four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including maths and English are required OR experience working in an accounting environment.
- All accounting apprentice applicants must complete an Accounting Assessment Day with our experienced accountancy team
Where will I study?
A mix of online and classroom learning at Training 2000 in Blackburn
Duration
14 months – one day per week
Your AAT registration is included with your Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship information
Understanding your organisation
Be aware of the organisation’s needs and activities and their impact for accounting and finance.
Accounting systems and processes
Identify, collate and process financial and accounting data from primary sources such as business records.
Attention to detail
Examine financial and accounting data to identify issues with quality and reliability as instructed and in accordance with guidance.
Correcting financial data errors
Rectify errors in financial and accounting data, escalating problems beyond their remit as appropriate.
Ensuring accurate financial records
Reconcile transactional data to minimise the chance of errors in financial and accounting outputs such as sales and purchase invoices, sale and purchase orders, bank statements and payroll.
Optimising efficiency
Plan and review workloads with supervisor to ensure best use of time to complete allocated tasks efficiently.
Professional communication
Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using appropriate methods and professional language. Examples may include letters, ‘phone, face-to-face, e-mail, video call, online chat functions etc.
Secure data management
Use financial and accounting software packages to input and manage data safely and securely in line with organisational instructions.
Team work
Provide support to team members to help ensure that financial and accounting activities are carried out within expected timescales and quality expectations.
Continuous learning
Keep up to date with developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development.
You can also achieve your Level 2 AAT Certificate in Accounting*.
*exam fees for commercial bookings and re-sits will be charged extra
You will sit exams at various stages through your Apprenticeship:
- Introduction to bookkeeping
- Principles of bookkeeping controls
- Principles of costing
At the end of your Apprenticeship you’ll go through an end-point assessment (EPA) and be graded a pass, merit or distinction based on a:
- Structured interview (supported by a portfolio of evidence summary)
- The business environment exam
This Apprenticeship teaches you a wide range of skills so that you can work as a:
- Accounts administrator
- Accounts assistant
- Accounts payable clerk
- Assistant bookkeeper
- Business accounts administrator
- Cost accountant assistant
- Finance assistant junior
- Junior cashier
Next steps
On completion of this course you may want to consider the following options to further your career.
Where can you progress to?
Frequently asked questions
Association of Accounting Technicians and is a highly recognised professional accounting qualification.
AAT is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised and can open doors in any industry across the world.
AAT is open to everyone – you don’t need previous qualifications or experience, and you can work at a pace that fits in with your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for your first job in accountancy, want to change careers, or simply want to enhance your existing accounting skills, AAT will give you the training you need.
AAT offers a range of benefits for students, including study support, topical news and updates, and exclusive discounts. AAT also offers an excellent route into chartered accountancy. If you choose to further your studies with one of the leading chartered professional bodies, such as ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA, your AAT qualification will give you generous exemptions. Your AAT qualification could also give you the opportunity to run your own accounting or bookkeeping practice.
The AAT qualification is equal to a Level 4. This is similar to an access course in the first year of university.
The salary ranges from £21,000 for a Level 2 apprentice up to £50,000 when you are fully qualified. Some accounting technicians open up their own accounting practices and work for themselves. The earning potential is then unlimited, the more clients you engage the more you make.
You will have a dedicated Skills Coach, our Functional Skills tutors and Learner Support Officers. You will also be supported by your Manager/ mentor at your workplace.
Yes, approximately every 12 weeks you will have an AAT exam.