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Apprenticeship

L3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Standard

From entering the numbers to being trusted with them

An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.

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The short answer

18 monthsPlus assessment: Additional time after the training period
Fully funded for most employersSmaller employers pay nothing towards the training.
Level 3Nationally recognised
Before they start

What an apprentice needs

Individual employers set the selection criteria, but this is likely to include 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, although some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to taking the end point assessment.

The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.

What they’ll learn

The step up from an accounts assistant, in practice or in an organisation's own finance function.

  1. They will carry the month end, not just the day to day

    Everything from data entry through to month-end management accounts, and year-end financial statements.

    Covers management accounts, year-end financial statements, day-to-day financial activity

  2. They will handle the regulatory work

    VAT returns and assistance with tax computations: the parts with a deadline and a consequence attached.

    Covers VAT returns, tax computations, regulatory financial requirements

  3. They will work with customers inside and outside the business

    Supporting internal colleagues and external clients, which is most of what separates an assistant accountant from a data entry role.

    Covers internal and external customers, practice and in-house working

Assessment

Nobody springs anything on anyone

All apprentices must undertake an independent end-point assessment which is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. The purpose of the assessment is to make sure the apprentice meets the standard set by employers and are fully competent in the occupation.

1
Throughout

Coursework and portfolio

Work launched in class and completed in the job, building the evidence the assessor will look at.

2
Every 8 to 10 weeks

A review with you

The employer, the apprentice and the tutor. Half an hour. Progress, targets, and anything getting in the way.

3
Before the end

A full mock

Marked by a tutor who is not theirs, so the feedback is honest and the real thing holds no surprises.

Getting started

What it takes, on both sides

If you're the employer

  • A real role that covers the standard. Your Employer Relationship Officer will check it before anyone enrols.
  • Time released for teaching, on a timetable you'll have from day one.
  • Half an hour every 8 to 10 weeks for a three-way review.
  • Your say-so when the apprentice is ready for their final assessment.

If you want to be the apprentice

  • A job. An apprenticeship is employment, so you need an employer before you can start.
  • Already working in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
  • An initial skills scan with us, so we know where you're starting from.
  • No employer yet? That's the usual starting point, and finding one is the part we help with.
Where it leads

This is a step, not a destination

Most of our apprentices carry on, usually with the same employer and usually into a wider role. Which route is right depends on the job being done, so it is worth a conversation rather than a guess.

Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.

How to start this apprenticeship

It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.

I'm an employer

Put someone on this programme

Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.

Speak to us today 0800 358 7979

Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.

I want to be an apprentice

You'll need an employer first

An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.

No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.