The new ACCA accounting technician apprenticeship (level 4 trailblazer) leads to a diploma in accounting and business, offering an alternative to university-based education for apprentices. 

The ACCA programme offers in-job finance and accounting training and development for anyone over 16 and takes a minimum of 12 months to complete. It contains three exams taken ‘on demand’ during the apprenticeship, when both the employer and apprentice are ready and contains one paper-based exam as part of the final assessment

Employers can provide training in the format that suits them – self-study, remote learning or face-to-face tuition through a local provider. Apprentices study and are examined on three subject areas: accountant in business; financial accounting; and management accounting.

Apprentices will also take ACCA’s foundations in professionalism online module, which will help them develop their understanding of what it means to act professionally and ethically in the work they carry out.

John Williams, head of ACCA UK, said: ‘ACCA’s accounting technician apprenticeship will help all employers find the talent they need to drive productivity in their business and for the economy – an important aspect of the UK’s industrial strategy announced by the Prime Minister in January 2017.

‘ACCA believes SMEs will be vital to the success of apprenticeships and we’re encouraging the SME community to get behind these programmes – they could be the real driving force behind the take-up of apprenticeships.’

ACCA is putting forward six reasons for business to invest in apprenticeships. The first is that taking on an apprentice requires minimal financial investment but delivers a committed, highly motivated individual whose skills are advancing rapidly and who can make a positive impact on a business.

A report for the Skills Funding Agency found that 76% of employers who take on apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive and 77% say they make them more competitive.

Secondly, the same report indicated that 59% of employers report that training apprentices is more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff, and that apprenticeships lead to lower overall training costs. More than half say that hiring apprentices reduces overall recruitment costs.

ACCA’s third argument is that providing an apprenticeship programme demonstrates commitment to long-term development that staff will recognise and value, leading to higher retention, while the association also points out that apprenticeships are not just for new hires – business can now use them to structure and accelerate the training and development of current staff.

Finally, ACCA says that apprenticeships are a powerful way to attract new talent into an organisation and offer a genuine alternative to university that allows people to launch and build their careers. It also points out that through apprentices, employers will create long-term assets and advocates for their business - 57% of employers report a high proportion of their apprentices going onto management positions within their organisations.

Williams said: ‘ACCA recognises apprenticeships as being very much as a win-win for all involved, and we’ll be working with employers to make this a success, delivering the best experience – both for apprentices and business.’

Details of the ACCA Accounting Technician Apprenticeship are here.