An Accounts or Finance Assistant supports the day-to-day running of an organisation’s finance function across a wide range of sectors and business sizes. Working under supervision and following established procedures, they carry out routine accounting and financial tasks that contribute to accurate financial records and statements.
Their role typically includes entering and checking financial data, basic bookkeeping, maintaining sales and purchase ledgers, processing accounts payable and receivable, reconciling figures, handling cash transactions, and assisting with trial balances and double-entry bookkeeping. They use digital accounting systems to ensure records and payments are accurate and up to date.
Typical Job Titles:
Accounts Assistant
Finance Assistant
Assistant Accountant (entry level)
Accounts Clerk
Finance Clerk
Purchase Ledger Clerk
Sales Ledger Clerk
Accounts Payable Assistant
Accounts Receivable Assistant
Bookkeeping Assistant
Delivery Model: Our comprehensive approach involves tailored online content, virtual workshops, specialised interactive classroom sessions, personalised one-on-one coaching, and additional customised learning, all crafted to suit individual needs within our blended delivery model.
Typical Duration to gateway: 10 Months
Typical Apprenticeship Assessment period: Up to 3 Months
This Apprenticeship Assessment has 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1: Knowledge Test – Underpinning Concepts:
fail
pass
Assessment method 2: Interview – to demonstrate competency across Professionalism and ethics, communication and digital technology in accounting and finance:
fail
pass
distinction
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
fail
pass
distinction
Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation: The Apprenticeship Assessment is conducted by ICB (The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers). ICB is an Ofqual-registered awarding organisation. As such, you can be assured that the final stage of your apprenticeship will be in safe hands.
Extras: Professional recognition in gaining a certificate in bookkeeping, recognised by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. This then enables Associate status to be applied for and to use AICB after your name.
Modules covered:
Double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance (3 Months)
Data entry to trial balance using software (3 Months)
Professionalism and ethics in finance and communication in finance (5 Weeks)
Digital technology in accounting and finance (1 Month)
Further double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance/accounting and finance in organisations (9 Weeks).
Careers to lead to: Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant, Bookkeeping Assistant, Junior Bookkeeper, Purchase Ledger Clerk, Sales Ledger Clerk, Accounts Payable/Receivable Assistant, Finance Administrator, Payroll Assistant.
What’s Covered:
Understanding the programme, what’s involved and expectations. Activities from day 1 towards the standard and functional skills to support the learner journey andfoster development to kick start the accounts/finance assistant journey.
Delivery: Workshop
Duration: 1 Day
What’s Covered:
Types of business and key bookkeeping terminology
Banking procedures, security, and cash handling
VAT categories and discount types
Difference between financial and management accounts
Recording transactions using double-entry bookkeeping
Capital investment and opening journal entries
Creating business documents and calculating VAT
Recording sales, purchases, expenses, and payments
Calculating account balances and producing a trial balance
Identifying, correcting, and preventing bookkeeping errors.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 6 x 0.5 days.
Duration: 3 Months
What’s Covered:
Using computerised accounting software
Entering opening balances
Recording cash and credit transactions
Producing a trial balance
Generating reports (debtors, creditors, bank, VAT, audit trail)
Performing bank reconciliations
Identifying and correcting errors
Managing digital financial data securely
Applying cybersecurity and data protection principles
Adapting to changes in accounting software and systems.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 6 x 0.5 days.
Duration: 3 Months
What’s Covered:
Professional ethics and codes of conduct in finance
Key legal principles relevant to accountancy
Corporate social responsibility, ethics, and sustainability
Environmental good practice in finance activities
Diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness in finance
Role of finance within an organisation and stakeholder interaction
Applying ethical, professional, and legal standards
Communicating financial information clearly and professionally
Identifying and escalating ethical or legal issues
Professional behaviour, teamwork, and stakeholder-focused service.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 2 x 0.5 days.
Duration: 5 Weeks
What’s Covered:
Use of digital accounting systems and tools
Working with spreadsheets, databases, and applications
Cybersecurity and safe online finance practices
Data security, confidentiality, and legal compliance
Using digital tools to support accounting tasks
Secure handling, storage, and protection of financial data
Proactive learning and adaptation to digital technologies
Responsible and vigilant use of digital systems and data.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 2 x 0.5 days.
Duration: 1 Month
What’s Covered:
Professional ethics, legislation, and accounting concepts
Advanced double-entry bookkeeping
Control accounts and suspense accounts
Discounts, bad debts, and payroll journals
CIS and non-sole trader transactions
Reconciliation of debtors, creditors, and bank balances
Treatment of imports and exports
Correction of errors not affecting the trial balance
Production and explanation of a trial balance
Understanding organisational structures and accounting roles
Financial vs management accounting and cost systems
Sustainable and adaptable professional practice.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 5 x 0.5 days.
Duration: 9 Weeks
What’s Covered:
One-to-one coaching sessions tailored to support apprentices through assessment, giving the best backing for effective achievement.
Delivery: Workshops, one-to-one coaching, mock assessments
Duration: 1 Month
What’s Covered:
If required, functional skills level 1 qualification in English & maths, along with the test taken for level 2, prior to the apprenticeship assessment.
Delivery: Specialised support, online workshops, tailored online content
Duration: From commencement: 6 Months
What’s Covered:
Agreement from all parties that the apprentice is working to the required occupational standard.
English & maths L1 achieved and L2 tests taken (or RPL in place).
OTJ required hours met.
Delivery: Tri party meeting
Duration: 1 Day
What’s Covered:
This requires two assessments:
1. Interview – to demonstrate competency across Professionalism and ethics, communication, and digital technology in accounting and finance.
2. Knowledge Assessment – Integrated (2 hours).
The integrated assessment method forms part of the apprenticeship’s EPA as well as the awarding of the ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping qualification.
Delivery: Assessments
Duration: 3 Months
Throughout the programme, apprentices will also have access to tailored on demand content, 121 coaching from a designated skills coach and a variety of learning collateral to support the apprentice journey.
Reviews will take place every 4-6 weeks to monitor progress and formals being every 10-12 weeks with the employer and coach as part of a tri party process.
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