Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard in Professional Accounting Technician

Individual employers will identify entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, training or other criteria. Most candidates will have Level Two Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade C or above), ideally as part of five GCSE A-C grades or other comparable qualifications and have completed an AAT Intermediate or Level Three Diploma in Accounting full qualification or NVQ III Accounting.

You may be required to attend an interview and undertake relevant skills assessments. Once you have been accepted onto the programme you will be required to attend a Lincoln College Induction.

You will also require access to a tablet/computer to access your e-portfolio.

Study Method – Online and On CampusWe have partnered with Mindful Education to deliver this apprenticeship through our Online and On Campus model. Apprentices will attend college once every two weeks and will study online materials during allotted time at work. Online lessons can be accessed at any time, using a mobile, tablet or desktop - meaning apprentices can fit their study around work commitments, minimising disruption in the workplace. Each lesson lasts around 45 minutes and is accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Exercises, interactive case studies and analytical tools help to enhance the learning experience further.On campus, apprentices benefit from face-to-face classes at college with an experienced tutor. A combination of classroom-based lessons, group exercises and discussion encourage apprentices to apply theory to real-life workplace situations. This modern, flexible approach to apprenticeship training empowers learners, minimises disruption to employers, and delivers tangible results in the workplace.

Assessment is done through a combination of practical tasks, written assignments, oral discussions and online tests throughout the programme.

• One-to-one support from a dedicated, professional assessor/instructor allocated to you for the duration of the programme.

• Work based assignments and projects to be completed in an e-portfolio.

• Case studies and in College course days as and when required for each learner

• Job shadowing and mentoring, cross training in other departments.

• Employer led in-house training.

• Independent learning and research as directed by the assessor, relevant to the area of study.

• Review of progress every four to ten weeks with you, your manager and Assessor, evaluating and contributing to what has been learnt and what the next steps to take are.

End Point Assessment

There will be an End Point Assessment (EPA) as the final stage of an Apprenticeship. You must demonstrate your learning to an independent end point assessor and the overall grade available is distinction, pass or fail.

The End-point Assessment will comprise two components:

Portfolio of evidence

Demonstrates competence in the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours defined in the Standard, which have been gathered from practical experience in the workplace. This can include outputs from work, independent feedback, observations and professional discussions. You must then produce a Reflective Statement that reflects on this Portfolio, either through a written statement, presentation or structured discussion with Independent Assessors appointed by an Assessment Organisation.

Role Simulation

Allowing you to tackle a series of business-related tasks through a simulation that reflects activities undertaken in a typical role at this level of competence. An Assessment Organisation will set the simulation, ensure robust invigilation and mark the assessment.

Progression

The Professional Accounting/Tax Technician standard allows you registration with a number of UK Professional Bodies in this sector. If you seek to become a member of a Professional Body there may be other requirements specific to the relevant Professional Body, which may be taken as part of, or alongside, the Apprenticeship at the employer’s and candidate’s discretion.

Completion of the Professional Accounting/Tax Technician Apprenticeship may lead to you receiving credits towards the completion of the Professional Accountant/Tax Apprenticeship or Chartered Accountancy/Taxation qualifications provided by the relevant Professional Bodies. Completion of the Professional Accounting/Tax Technician Apprenticeship may also result in credits being awarded towards relevant undergraduate degree programmes.

 Computer (Laptop, Ipad, Desktop)

Lincoln College have facilities at Lincoln, Gainsborough and Newark to deliver training to apprentices. High quality of teaching by qualified and experienced industry experts; an excellent balance of theory and practical sessions. Training can be delivered on a 1:1 basis in the workplace, day release or bespoke training programmes to meet your requirements. The Apprentice can choose to undertake the qualification at either the Lincoln or Newark campus on a day release basis.Our employers are actively involved in the training with assessments carried out in the workplace. Through partnership collaboration your apprentice’s progression and development will be supported and reviewed regularly through face to face and remote contact through the use of an e-portfolio.

Pathway One Accounting

• Knowledge and understanding of the core elements of double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards enable accountants to create and report financial information to the users of accounts.

A Professional Accounting Technician will understand and/or validate the accounting standards for basic accounts preparation and/or the drafting of financial statements. Depending on their role they will also have specialist knowledge in other aspects of accounting, for example, management accounting and tax accounting.

Pathway 2 Tax

• A Professional Tax Technician will be required to have knowledge and understanding of the core elements of personal and business taxation and accounting principles. They will be required to prepare tax calculations, prepare government forms, understand and comply with filing deadlines, and document client paperwork. Depending on their role they will also have specialist knowledge in other areas of taxation, for example, Business Compliance, VAT, Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates and Corporate Tax.

Business Awareness

• Financial information is an outcome of an organisation’s activities in the industries and environments in which it operates. In its simplest form, financial information reflects the transactions arising from the purchase and sale of products and services. A Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will understand the industries and environments in which an organisation operates, including customer and supplier needs, in order to create and/or validate and/or report financial information.

Ethical Standards

• Ethics and integrity are fundamental to the role of all finance professionals as they often independently verify financial information that affects individuals and institutions that are separate from the management of an organisation. A Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will understand and apply the relevant Ethical Standards to their own behaviour and appropriately challenge the actions of others where they do not meet these standards.

Regulation and Compliance

• Accounting and Tax are governed by a series of standards and regulations which must be applied where relevant. A Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will be able to understand and apply professional standards and legal regulations to an organisation’s financial information, and to comply with the fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care and confidentiality.

Systems and Processes

• Financial information is created, verified and reported via a combination of systems and processes, such as accounting/tax systems, internal control systems and IT systems. An understanding of these systems and processes is fundamental to an accountant’s ability to perform their role. A Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will be able to understand and evaluate an organisation’s systems and processes and make recommendations for improvement, as appropriate. Depending on their role they may also have a basic understanding of external and internal audit functions in giving assurance over these systems and processes.

The above technical knowledge will be understood and applied according to the relevant statutory and regulatory environment.

Analysis

• Create and interpret information, and show how that information can be used most effectively to add value to the organisation.

Communication

• Effectively communicate relevant information across the organisation and to appropriate stakeholders in both written and verbal formats.

Leadership

• Proactively manage their own development and are committed to the job and their profession.

Planning and Prioritisation

• Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities.

• Effectively plan and prioritise time and coordinate the input of others in order to meet both deadlines and changing priorities.

  Produces Quality and Accurate Information

• Apply accounting/tax knowledge to consistently deliver high quality, accurate data and information in a timely fashion.

Team Working and Collaboration

• Work effectively in a team and with others, maintaining effective, professional working relationships both internally and externally across organisations.

Uses Systems and Processes

• Understand the systems and processes of the organisation sufficiently, as applicable to the role.

• Proficient in the IT systems applicable to the role.

Problem Solving

• Applies techniques to both common and non-routine problems, analysing where required and selecting the appropriate tools and techniques to produce solutions.

• Escalates or seeks guidance and support where appropriate.

• The above skills will be acquired and demonstrated, through a process of continuous self-improvement, in a changing and sometimes pressurised environment.

Adaptability

• Willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment.

Adding Value

• Actively engage in the wider business, as appropriate, and look to provide information that positively contributes to influencing business decisions.

• Continually strive to improve their own working processes and those of the organisation.

Ethics and Integrity

• Honest and principled in all of their actions and interactions.

• They will respect others and meet the ethical requirements of their profession.

Proactivity

• Takes responsibility.

• Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done, even under pressure.

Professional Scepticism

• Demonstrates an attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions which may indicate possible misstatement of financial information due to error or fraud.

The above behaviours will be developed and exhibited while adhering to high standards of professionalism and quality.

Employers have designed the Apprenticeship Standards to meet the needs of the sector and industry. Ensuring they include:

• Relevant Knowledge, skills and behaviours ensure that the Standard is relevant to the occupation.

• Widening participation Apprenticeship standards provide opportunities to employees that may not previously have been available.

• Development tools A cost effective way to train your employees to undertake specific roles in your business.

• Return on Investment On average, an apprentice who has completed their course will increase business productivity by £214 per week (CEBR, 2015).

As an Apprentice, you will pay no course fees. However, your employer may have to pay towards your training as well as provide you with a wage. All Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum apprentice wage within their first year of training from their employer, although they can, and often do, pay more. In the second and subsequent years of an Apprenticeship programme, if you are aged 19 or over, the national minimum wage for your age would apply [https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates]

If you are an employer and want to find out more information regarding employer contributions and any further costs related to the Apprenticeship programme, please contact our dedicated Apprenticeship team at [email protected]