Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Assistant Accountant for Adults
Course Code: P237227
Key Information
Course type:
Apprenticeships
Campus:
Highbury Campus
Start Date:
October 2025
Duration:
Flexible
Attendance:
One day a week
Fees:
Free
This flexible apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with Mindful Education and combines online learning with regular sessions with a college tutor. It is designed as a continuation from Level 2, or an entry level for someone who already has a good knowledge of basic accounting.
You will develop skills in bookkeeping, cost accounting, and the preparation of reports and returns. You will learn and master financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping, final accounts, VAT issues, management accounting costing techniques and ethical practices. This programme also develops software skills for accounting. An assistant accountant provides support to internal and external customers and will work predominately either as an assistant accountant within a practice or alternatively within the finance function of an organisation.
You must have access to real work, which is valid and productive, providing opportunities to develop, practice and evidence knowledge and skills that you have learned.
It is a government requirement that the employer is expected to provide and support the opportunity for off-the-job training for a minimum six hours per week. Defined as technical and knowledge development, this type of learning is undertaken outside the normal day-to-day working environment. It can include activities such as attending College, online learning, mentoring, role play, attendance to competitions and events, or revision and assignments set as course work and homework.
The apprenticeship contains five units which are assessed individually at the end of each unit, and there is a synoptic assessment at the end of the qualification, which draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across the whole qualification.
Units include:
- financial accounting: preparing financial statements
- management accounting techniques
- spreadsheets for management accounting
- business awareness
- tax processes for businesses.
Start dates are available throughout the year.
You will need maths and English GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C) or Functional Skills Level 2 and provide certificates. If you don't have the required GCSE/ Functional Skills grades or can't provide your certificates, you will have to complete a maths and English assessment. You will not be able to achieve your apprenticeship without completing the required maths and English qualifications.
We have partnered with Mindful Education to deliver this apprenticeship through our online and on campus model. Apprentices study online materials during allotted time at work, and also attend regular sessions with a college tutor.
Online lessons can be accessed at any time, using a mobile, tablet or desktop - meaning apprentices can fit their study around work commitments, minimising disruption in the workplace. Each lesson lasts around 45 minutes and is accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Exercises, interactive case studies and analytical tools help to enhance the learning experience further.
On campus, apprentices benefit from regular classes with an experienced college tutor, either in-person or virtually. A combination of tutor-led work, group exercises and discussion encourages apprentices to apply theory to real-life workplace situations.This modern, flexible approach to apprenticeship training empowers learners, minimises disruption to employers, and delivers tangible results in the workplace.
This equates to one day a week, three hours at our Highbury Campus and three hours' flexible learning during term-time. Additional attendance at College may be required during half-terms/holidays for workshops and revision sessions.
You are required to build a portfolio of your work. An assessor will be in regular contact to provide support, and to arrange on-site visits to observe your ability and skills in your daily role. It is important for you to take ownership of your own learning by seeking out opportunities to gain new skills on the job. You will be required to upload and submit your portfolio of evidence to SEPA for review.
The End Point Assessment is a structured interview that is held in a Smart Room. The training provider is responsible for ensuring you can complete the discussion in a suitable environment, either the training provider's or employer's premises. Also, part of the End Point Assessment is a synoptic assessment. The entire process from discussion to results may take up to six weeks. The results from the synoptic assessment will also take up to six weeks to be issued. Both assessment elements are graded individually. A minimum of 70% is needed to achieve a pass for the synoptic assessment, while the structured interview will be graded a fail, pass or distinction. Both results will be combined to provide an overall grade for the apprenticeship.
You can progress to an AAT Level 4 qualification including a Level 4 apprenticeship.
Upon successful completion of the Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship, you can apply for AAT associate bookkeeping membership and become a professional AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB).
The skills and knowledge you will gain throughout this apprenticeship will qualify you for roles including Finance Officer, Assistant Accoutnant and Bookkeeper. You will also be eligible for AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB) Status, giving you the option to work as a freelance bookkeeper.
Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Assistant Accountant for Adults
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