Accounting - Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

About the Course

Accountancy is a highly-skilled field that provides a clear pathway for those starting out and one for which formal qualifications play a vital role in the career journey. Therefore, an apprenticeship that draws together work and study makes it an appealing choice if you're looking to enter this profession.

An intermediate apprenticeship in accounting (also referred to as a level 2 apprenticeship) is equivalent to 5 GCSEs graded at levels 9 to 4.

You could be working on a variety of financial activities from bills and expenses to payroll and taxes. Employment possibilities for you include accounts assistant/clerk, cashier, finance assistant and sales ledger clerk.

A significant amount of job training is undertaken in the workplace. This is a demanding but interesting course which should be achieved in 12 months whilst gaining valuable work experience. Most jobs in this sector are office-based with a typical 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday working week.

What will the apprentice study?

On this apprenticeship, you will cover topics such as;

• Introduction to Bookkeeping

• Transactions and Controls 

• Principles of Costing 

• The Business Environment

Apprentices will also be required to take one of the professional qualifications listed below, as chosen by the employer to be most relevant to the job role:

• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
• ACCA Certificate in Financial and management accounting (level 2)
• IAB Level 2 certificate in bookkeeping
• ICB Level 2 certificate in bookkeeping

Entry criteria

You will need:

• To be aged 16 or older
• To be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week with 20% of your normal working hours set aside for you to complete your training and study
• GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 4 or above or Functional Skills at Level 2 in English and Maths

All applicants must have an interview and assessment in English and Maths to confirm that the apprenticeship is suitable for them.

Employers may also set additional entry requirements, as a prerequisite to working with them.

How is the apprentice assessed?

To complete the Accounting apprenticeship, apprentices will be expected to complete:

• A synoptic end-test covering the knowledge and skills gained throughout the on-programme stage and detailed in the standard.
• A portfolio and reflective discussion which will comprise a range of evidence produced in the workplace to show that the Apprentice has met the knowledge, skills and behaviours detailed in the standard. The reflective discussion will be a structured interview to examine this evidence and the learner's journey in more detail.

Occupational profile

On completion, the apprentice will be able to apply for the appropriate level of professional membership aligned with this apprenticeship, dependent on the qualification chosen. Professional body memberships that are relevant to the options for this apprenticeship are:

• IAB – Associate Level Membership
• ICB – Associate Level Membership

Neither AAT nor ACCA offers professional registration upon completion of this apprenticeship.

Duration: 12 Months

Location: Workplace and College (London, UK)

Sector: Legal, finance and accounting