Accounting

Apprenticeship in Accounting

Course Breakdown
The foundation modern apprenticeship in accounting has four main components.
•   Key skills in application of number and communication
•   A portfolio of evidence covering all the NVQ units
•   A technical certificate (end of year external exam)
•   Employee rights and responsibilities workbook

Key Skills
The application of number unit must be achieved at level 1; assessment of this unit is through a mixture of portfolio work and an external exam.

The communication unit must be achieved at level 2 and is also assessed by both portfolio work and an external exam.

The NVQ units
Listed below are the units that make up your AAT foundation units:
•    Recording income and receipts
•    Making and recording payments
•    Preparing ledger balances and an initial trial balance
•    Supplying information for management control
•    Working with information technology
•    Monitor and maintain a healthy safe and secure workplace
•    Achieving personal effectiveness

At Hopwood Hall College we begin the NVQ by teaching all students the double entry book keeping system. Although there is no specific unit for double entry it is used in three of the seven units listed.

Recording income and expenditure
This unit deals with both cash and credit sales. Candidates are expected to be familiar with all documentation relating to sales. In addition the recording of such documentation in daybooks, the nominal ledger, sales ledger and cashbook. In addition candidates will be shown the use of control accounts for the sales ledger.

Making and recording payments
This unit deals with both cash and credit purchases. Candidates are expected to be familiar with all documentation relating to purchases. In addition the recording of such documentation in daybooks, the nominal ledger, purchases ledger and cashbook. In addition candidates will be shown the use of control accounts for the purchases ledger. Candidates will be expected to look at making payments from the preparation of cheques to organisation direct debit and autopay systems. Also candidates will look at running a petty cash system.

Preparing ledger balances and an initial trial balance
This unit deals with preparing the trial balance. Candidates will be expected to balance accounts in the various ledgers and construct the trial balance. In addition candidates will look at the correction of errors relating to the ledgers and preparing journal entries to correct such errors.

Supplying information for management control
This unit deals with the extraction of information from a management information system relating to costs and income. In addition the coding of information relating to costs and income to allow for posting into and information system. Finally students will prepare simple reports on organisational costs and sales and analyse variances against budget.

Working with computers
The unit deals with candidates using a financial accounting package and posting invoices, credit notes and journal entries through a computerised system. This unit is seen as an opportunity for candidates to practice what they have learnt from the first three units and apply them to a computerised system.

The remaining units (health and safety and achieving personal effectiveness) relate to general workplace efficiency; whilst formal teaching of these units is minimal evidence of competence must still be presented to complete the full level 2 portfolio.

The technical certificate
In effect this is your exam, all AAT levels have an external exam, called a central assessment. The exam will cover the first five units only. Candidates will be expected to complete ledgers using the double entry system from daybook information and extract a trial balance. The exam has a second section that involves a number of short answer questions testing candidate’s knowledge relating to all aspects of the first five units.

Employee rights and responsibilities workbook
As a new feature of modern apprenticeships students will be expected to complete an open plan workbook relating to employee rights and responsibilities. Candidates will look at employment law, rights in the workplace and general information about a career in accounting.

Notes
The foundation modern apprenticeship lasts one year and is a stepping-stone to the AAT intermediate, which can be completed as an advance modern apprenticeship.

The assessment of the NVQ portfolio can be achieved in a number of ways. Candidates can complete simulation work in college and sit a devolved assessment (an internal assessment). They can demonstrate competence in the work place therefore providing “work based evidence”, this can be done through hard evidence of the work being completed and put into the portfolio or through observation by an assessor of the candidate working.

Contact
If you are interested in this Apprenticeship programme or would like any additional information, please contact one of our Workforce Advisers on 0161 654 4373.

Comments

Hopwood Hall College offers up to 4,500 pounds to employ apprentices!

Training@Hopwood (The employer engagement arm of Hopwood Hall College) is currently offering employers incentives of £1,500 to recruit apprentices into existing teams. Employers can recruit up to 3 new apprentices under the incentive scheme.

The offer is available to employers with fewer than 250 employees, who have not recruited an apprentice in the previous three years. The apprentice must be between 16-24 years of age.

The aim from government is to get young people back into work, whilst supporting them in developing the skills they require for a successful career. The apprenticeship route via Hopwood Hall College offers an excellent boost to employers, improving the bottom line, competitiveness and overall cost effectiveness.

The apprenticeship team offer several training options to suite your business – We pride ourselves in having something for everyone in the workplace to meet all your training needs.

Apprentices can be new or existing employees between 16-64 years of age. The incentive is only on offer for those aged 16-24. We have more than 200 different apprenticeships available, including accounting, team leading, management and butchery.

So if you have job vacancies why not consider taking on an apprentice? We offer a free recruitment service – bringing you the best candidates. It's a great opportunity to give a young person a fantastic start to their career and give you the competitive edge. You can talk to one of the Apprentice team on 0161 654 4373.

Training@Hopwood is a major provider of bespoke training tailored to your needs, and your specifications either locally, on your premises or in the College.