Professional Accounting Taxation Technician Level 4 Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship standard is designed for those 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.

Suitable candidates will be working to ensure compliance with a range of legal, ethical and professional standards. They will also be utilising a knowledge of business systems and process in addition to accounting and taxation practice.

The typical job titles associated with this apprenticeship are: 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.

This occupation covers two areas of specialism, Accounting and Tax. A successful apprentice will have met the core requirements common to both areas and one of the two technical knowledge option requirements. A competent Professional Accounting/Tax Technician, on completion of the Apprenticeship Standard, will meet the following knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements.

The technical knowledge below will be understood and applied according to the relevant statutory and regulatory environment.

• Technical Knowledge, Option 1 Accounting, Option 2 Tax
  
• Business Awareness
• Ehical Standards
• Regulation and Compliance
• Systems and Processes
• 
  

Skills

• Analysis
• Communication
• Leadership
• Planning and Prioritisation
• Produces Quality and Accurate Information
• Team Working and Collaboration
• Uses Systems and Processes

Behaviours

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

Tutorial support will be provided by your assigned AAT tutor who will provide you with feedback on your progress with your AAT qualification. The AAT Level 4 Diploma features a series of end-of- unit online examinations together with a final exam which takes elements from previously studied topics.

Workplace visits from your AAT tutor will support the building of the required portfolio of evidence which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and behaviours required. Once the portfolio is completed, the trainer/assessor and employer will agree the timing of the End Point Assessment.

The End Point Assessment for this apprenticeship standard comprises two elements:

A role simulation giving the apprentice an opportunity to tackle a series of business-related tasks through a simulation. This will be assessed through the AAT synoptic assessment that maps to the AAT AQ2016 Professional Diploma in Accounting qualification (Level 4)

A portfolio of evidence that demonstrates competence in the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard, which have been gathered from the apprentice’s practical experience in the workplace, combined with a reflective statement that draws on their portfolio. The reflective statement will be assessed by two Independent Assessors (IAs) appointed by AAT and will take the form of a written statement, a presentation, or a professional discussion.

Whilst individual employers set the selection criteria, it is likely to include 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to taking the end point assessment.

In addition to achieving full competency as an Assistant Accountant, achieving the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting, the apprenticeship standard could lead to a range of accounting career pathways including Assistant Auditor, Assistant Management Accountant, Assistant Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor, Commercial Analyst, Payroll Manager, Senior Bookkeeper, Senior Financial Officer.

Apprentices who use the Professional Diploma in Accounting as part of their on-programme learning will be eligible to apply for full AAT membership, meaning they will gain their apprenticeship and also the use of the designatory letters "MAAT".

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