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Apprenticeship

L2 Accounts Finance Assistant Apprenticeship Standard

The person who keeps the numbers straight

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.

Speak to us today

The short answer

12 monthsPlus assessment
Fully funded for most employersSmaller employers pay nothing towards the training.
Level 2Nationally recognised
Before they start

What an apprentice needs

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Most candidates will have achieved grade C or above in English and Maths at Level 2 prior to commencement of apprenticeship.

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

An entry point into finance that works in almost any sector, from a sole trader to the public sector.

  1. They will keep the books accurately, day to day

    Basic bookkeeping, sales and purchase ledgers, recording cash and data entry, done right the first time.

    Covers bookkeeping, sales and purchase ledgers, cash recording, data entry

  2. They will check the numbers rather than just enter them

    Running the calculations that confirm records and payments are correct, and noticing when they are not.

    Covers reconciliation, calculations, records and payments

  3. They will support the accountants properly

    Junior accounting duties that free up the qualified members of the team. Exactly what that covers varies with the size and shape of the finance function.

    Covers assisting the accounting team, finance function support

Assessment

Nobody springs anything on anyone

Assessment Method 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.

Job titles this leads to

  • Accounts Assistant
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Administrator
  • Business Accounts Administrator
  • Finance Assistant Junior
  • Cost Accountant Assistant
  • Assistant Bookkeeper
  • Junior Cashier
  • Junior Credit Control clerk
  • Data input clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • General Administrator
  • Bank Reconciliation Clerk
  • Cash Poster
  • Finance Administrator
Progression

Where this course can take you

  1. Before you start
  2. This course Level 2
  3. Further study

Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.

Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

See all 22 courses

At this college

At University Campus Doncaster

At North Lindsey College

Careers it can lead to

  • Book-keepers, Payroll Managers and Wages Clerks £25,700 a year
  • Financial Administrative Occupations £24,600 a year
  • Finance Officers £27,400 a year
  • Credit Controllers £22,500 a year
See all 12 careers
  • Pensions and Insurance Clerks and Assistants £31,000 a year
  • Data Entry Administrators £28,500 a year

With further study or experience

  • Financial and Accounting Technicians £63,100 a year
  • Chartered and Certified Accountants £39,100 a year
  • Financial Accounts Managers £41,300 a year
  • Business and Financial Project Management Professionals £52,000 a year
  • Management Consultants and Business Analysts £43,100 a year
  • Finance and Investment Analysts and Advisers £42,300 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

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.