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Summary

Role Profile
Individuals in the role of a Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will have responsibility for creating, and/or verifying and reviewing, accurate and timely financial information within the organisation in which they are employed or on behalf of another organisation. This will be performed in order to meet relevant ethical, professional and legal standards, and will utilise the individual’s knowledge of the business systems and processes, as well as standard accounting and tax practices. This role may exist in an accounting practice, a professional services company, HMRC or the accounting function of a business or other organisation.

Duration
This apprenticeship typically takes 18 months to complete

Programme Delivery
SGS has elected to deliver the on-programme-learning using the Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) Professional Diploma in Accounting level 4.  AAT as the lead awarding organisation for accounting have been involved in the development of the apprenticeship Standard and have mapped the diplomas to the Standard.  Advantages of using the Diploma as the delivery model for the Apprenticeship Standard;

• A structured, proven training programme that equips the candidate with the skillset required for the industry
• Thorough mapping against the Standard ensuring all skills, knowledge and behaviours are covered
• Achievement of an industry-recognised accounting technical qualification
• Provides a platform for progress tracking
• Prepares the candidate for End Point Assessment with AAT
• Provides a basis for progression
• External quality assurance through an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
• An appeals and redress process with the awarding organisation

Attendance at weekly classes for each module is mandatory for all apprentices.

Resources
Resources will be available through Smart Assessor, the e-portfolio platform used by the college for apprentices.

Registration with AAT is required and will be an additional one-off fee.

Assessment Overview
Each of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) included in the Apprenticeship Standard are mapped to one of the two assessment methods in the End Point Assessment.

The End Point Assessment (EPA) will comprise of two components and will be assessed by an approved End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). Both components must be individually passed for the Apprentice to be deemed competent:

Our recommended End Point Assessment Organisation is AAT

1)   Portfolio including Reflective Statement

A portfolio of evidence that 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. The Apprentice 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.

2)   Role Simulation

Apprentices will also be required to complete a Role Simulation that will synoptically assess the application of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours demanded from Employers. It is designed to assess apprentices in a consistent way, regardless of job role or specialism.

Prior to the Role Simulation being sat, apprentices will have access to pre-seen information about a fictitious organisation. This will contain basic information such as excerpts from a set of their most recent accounts, organisation chart and some emails / memos on the organisation’s plans / issues.

During the role simulation, the apprentices will be presented with further information about the organisation and will be asked to complete a series of short tasks. Each of the tasks will assess the application of Knowledge from a minimum of three Knowledge areas detailed in the Standard to ensure breadth of assessment.

A role simulation gives the apprentice the opportunity to tackle a series of business-related tasks through a simulation that reflects activities undertaken in a typical role at this level of competence.

The overall determination of whether competency has been achieved by the apprentice will be carried out by the Assessment Organisation who will have oversight of the outcome of both components of the End Point Assessment.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for Professional Accounting/Tax Technician Apprenticeship

A Standard contains a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship.  A portfolio will be compiled throughout the apprenticeship to reflect this.

Knowledge

• Technical Knowledge
• Business Awareness
• Ethical Standards
• Regulation and Compliance
• Systems and Processes

Skills

• Analysis
• Communication
• Leadership
• Planning and Prioritisation
• Produce Quality and Accurate Information
• Team Working and Collaboration
• Use Systems and Processes

Behaviours

• Adaptability
• Adding Value
• Ethics and Integrity
• Proactivity
• Professional Scepticism

20% Off-The-Job Training
“Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for an apprenticeship. It is training which is received by the apprentice, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship.”

In addition, there will be relevant activities in the workplace which will be discussed and planned with the assessor which will count towards the total hours required.

• Workplace induction.
• Prepare balance sheets and income statement consolidations.
• Produce variance analysis based on a flexed budget and comment on causes of variance.
• Produce a cashflow statement for a limited company.
• Analyse the components of an accounting system and make recommendations for improvement.

Maths & English

Most candidates will have Level 2 Maths and English, ideally as part of 5 GCSE A - C, 4 - 9 grades or other comparable qualifications. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to the completion of the Apprenticeship.

What are my career options?

Assistant Auditor, Assistant Management Accountant, Assistant Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor, Commercial Analyst, Payroll Manager, Senior Bookkeeper, Senior Financial Officer, Tax Investigations Officer, Personal Tax Assistant and Business Tax Assistant.