Duration
Typical duration to gateway - 18 months (this does not include EPA period).

Occupation Profile
An Assistant Accountant typically provides support to internal and external customers and will work predominately either as an Assistant Accountant within practice or alternatively within the finance function of an organisation. Part of their role will involve assisting in the day to day financial activities such as data entry to month end management accounts and / or year-end financial statements. In addition the Assistant Accountant may find themselves involved in regulatory financial requirements such as the completion of VAT returns or assisting in the preparation of tax computations. The programme enables the learner to gain a wide range of knowledge and skills that include: Producing reports using a computerised accounting system Performing reconciliations Correcting errors Analysing and reporting information on income and expenditure Understanding of ethical standards and codes of conduct Effectively recording financial data Communication Problem solving Team work and collaboration Using systems and processes

Entry Requirements
Applicants must: Be new to the Assistant Accountant role Achieve the required level of Maths and English as part of the apprenticeship if a recognised qualification is not already held Be employed and have the support of their employer to undertake the programme

Commitment
6 hours a week (based on a 30 hour week) of a learner's contracted hours must be given to support the completion of the programme. Tutor led sessions are a mandatory part of the course along with any other learning activities set by the assessor or tutor. Maths and English may need to be undertaken in addition to the main qualification depending on previous attainment in these areas. It is likely that the learner will be required to undertake research, reading and write ups to support their learning. The programme requires 100% commitment from the learner & employer to ensure successful completion.

Delivery
Our blended approach means that our programmes are flexible and enable apprentices to experience a range of learning and support opportunities in a variety of formats such as online or at a local ACL centre. The apprentice will have a dedicated tutor who they will meet (online or face to face) once a month who will guide them through their apprenticeship and prepare them for their End Point Assessment. Reviews of progress are carried out every 12 weeks with the learner, their line manager and the tutor. Additional workshops and seminars will be available to all learners to support additional learning and the off job learning requirement.

Benefits for Learners
1. Build professionalism and confidence in a working environment 2. Ability to manage their own performance 3. Gain knowledge on Accountancy theories within the context of their work setting

Benefits for Business
1. Productive team members 2. AAT qualified staff 3. Responsible and adaptable team members

End Point Assessment (EPA)
End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of the apprenticeship programme and is a comprehensive holistic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required as laid out in the apprenticeship standard. It is made up of: Portfolio-based Interview (60%) - The interview is for a minimum of one hour and scored out of 100 by the Independent End-point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). The Portfolio of Learning provides a structure for this conversation. Synoptic test (40%) - Apprentices will sit a test under controlled conditions which will test the knowledge and skills required in the standard. They will be given a scenario and be presented with a variety of tasks relating to this information. The tasks are a mixture of calculations and written assessments. Questions will be allocated from a bank which will have undergone thorough testing and verification to ensure consistency in terms of difficulty and to make sure that the areas tested are given equal weighting no matter which scenario the Apprentice sits.

Progression
Progression Routes Once you have completed this qualification at Level 3, there are several progression routes available, dependant on your industry and job role: Professional accounting or tax technician, Level 3 Team Leader or higher education.