Delivery is flexible to suit the individual apprentice and their employer. The apprentice will have a minimum of one tutorial per month either in person in the workplace or remotely via an online meeting. Group sessions may be available on some programmes.

• Individual employers will identify entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, training or expereince. This is likely to include five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including Maths and English.
• Level 2 Functional Skills must be achieved prior to end point assessment (this content will be blended into the apprentice's study programme if it is required).
• Apprentices must be employed in order to study for this qualification. Please see our Apprenticeship vacancies.
• The apprentice must be at least 16 years of age.

• Technical knowledge - option 1 - accounting:
  • Knowledge and understanding of the core elements of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting standards enable accountants to create and report financial information to the users of accounts.
  • A professional accounting technician will understand and/or validate the accounting standards for basic accounts preparation and/or the drafting of financial statements.
  • Depending on their role they will also have specialist knowledge in other aspects of accounting, for example, management accounting and tax accounting.
• Technical knowledge - option 2 - tax: 
  • A professional taxation technician will be required to have knowledge and understanding of the core elements of personal and business taxation and accounting principles.
  • They will be required to prepare tax calculations, prepare government forms, understand and comply with filing deadlines, and document client paperwork.
  • Depending on their role they will also have specialist knowledge in other areas of taxation, for example, business compliance, VAT, Inheritance tax, trusts and estates and corporate tax.
• Business awareness: 
  • Financial information is an outcome of an organisation’s activities in the industries and environments in which it operates. In its simplest form, financial information reflects the transactions arising from the purchase and sale of products and services.
  • A professional accounting or tax technician will understand the industries and environments in which an organisation operates, including customer and supplier needs, in order to create and/or validate and/or report financial information.
• Ethical standards: 
  • Ethics and integrity are fundamental to the role of all finance professionals as they often independently verify financial information that affects individuals and institutions that are separate from the management of an organisation.
  • A professional accounting or tax technician will understand and apply the relevant ethical standards to their own behaviour and appropriately challenge the actions of others where they do not meet these standards.
• Regulation and compliance: 
  • Accounting and tax are governed by a series of standards and regulations which must be applied where relevant.
  • A professional accounting or tax technician will be able to understand and apply professional standards and legal regulations to an organisation’s financial information, and to comply with the fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care and confidentiality.
• Systems and processes: 
  • Financial information is created, verified and reported via a combination of systems and processes, such as accounting or tax systems, internal control systems and IT systems.
  • An understanding of these systems and processes is fundamental to an accountant’s ability to perform their role.
  • A professional accounting or tax technician will be able to understand and evaluate an organisation’s systems and processes and make recommendations for improvement, as appropriate.
  • Depending on their role they may also have a basic understanding of external and internal audit’s function in giving assurance over these systems and processes.

• Analysis:
  • Create and interpret information and show how that information can be used most effectively to add value to the organisation.
• Communication: 
  • Effectively communicate relevant information across the organisation and to appropriate stakeholders in both written and verbal formats.
• Leadership: 
  • Proactively manage their own development and is committed to the job and their profession.
• Planning and prioritisation: 
  • Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
  • Effectively plan and prioritise time and co-ordinate the input of others in order to meet both deadlines and changing priorities.
• Produces quality and accurate information: 
  • Apply accounting, tax knowledge to consistently deliver high quality, accurate data and information in a timely fashion.
• Teamwork and collaboration: 
  • Work effectively in a team and with others, maintaining effective, professional working relationships both internally and externally across organisations.
• Uses systems and processes: 
  • Understand the systems and processes of the organisation sufficiently, as applicable to the role.
  • Proficient in the IT systems applicable to the role.

• Adaptability:
  • Willing to listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements.
  • Has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment.
• Adding value: 
  • Actively engage in the wider business, as appropriate, and look to provide information that positively contributes to influencing business decisions.
  • Continually strive to improve own working processes and those of the organisation.
• Ethics and integrity: 
  • Honest and principled in all of their actions and interactions.
  • They will respect others and meet the ethical requirements of their profession.
• Proactivity: 
  • Takes responsibility.
  • Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done, even under pressure.
• Professional scepticism:
  • Demonstrates an attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement of financial information due to error or fraud.

The professional accounting or taxation technician standard allows student registration with a number of UK professional bodies in this sector. If a candidate seeks to become a member of a professional body there may be other requirements specific to the relevant professional body, which may be taken as part of, or alongside, the apprenticeship at the employer’s and candidate’s discretion.

Completion of the professional accounting or tax technician apprenticeship may lead to the candidate receiving credits towards the completion of the professional accountant or tax apprenticeship or chartered accountancy or taxation qualifications provided by the relevant professional bodies. Completion of the professional accounting or tax technician apprenticeship may also result in credits being awarded towards relevant undergraduate degree programmes.

• Portfolio and discussion
• Role simulation