The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 and the growing focus on apprenticeships reflect the government’s stated commitment to improving the skills base within the UK economy, and to providing a viable alternative to university education.
There are currently 80 apprenticeship frameworks in Scotland - Foundation, Modern, Technical and Professional - serving around 26,000 students each year. The Modern Apprenticeship framework, which predates both the Technical and Professional frameworks, requires the delivery of a relevant qualification, core skills and industry-specific training.
We make it easy for you to recruit and develop the financial talent you need to grow your business and stay relevant in this fast-moving world.
ACCA accountants can help you make real, business-changing decisions thanks to our market-leading blend of technical, ethical and professional skills that underpin our apprenticeship programme. No matter where an individual starts from, or what experience they have, we give them the knowledge that you need to build a finance team that will help your business succeed.
And it’s much easier for you to up-skill existing employees and recruit and mould exciting new talent to your business culture with our funded apprenticeships.
There are three ACCA apprenticeship schemes available to employers in Scotland through Skills Development Scotland:
Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting
Designed to develop people for roles as accounts assistant, cashier, credit control clerk, finance assistant, purchase ledger clerk or sales ledger clerk.
Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting
Designed to develop people for roles as training accounting technician or assistant accountant.
Level 4 Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting
Designed to develop people for roles as qualified accounting technician or accounts manager, this Level 4 Accounting Technician Apprenticeship draws on the early modules of our world-class professional qualification, known as 'Applied Knowledge', giving your apprentices interactive lessons, and access to a tutor and an online community of fellow students.
For business owners and managers, the apprenticeship programme offers a cost-effective way to attract, develop and retain skilled employees - the kind of people who will help you to drive your business forward. A popular alternative to university, apprenticeships not only widen the pool of talent from which you can recruit, but they give you the means to build a diverse, talented, digital-ready team. By offering apprenticeships, you’ll also demonstrate your commitment to building the skills of local talent as well as your own employees. Our research has shown that young finance professional want clear paths for career progression, and with flexible entry routes into our Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, the programme is a springboard for a successful career in finance.
ACCA apprentices are trained to ensure digital and technological transformations can be used for business growth. Our syllabus covers technological factors, financial systems, procedures and IT applications, so your ACCA apprentice will advise on potential effects of technological change on your business structure for example. They will also use and adapt your processes as new technology is introduced to your business.
We have long been involved in the development of the standard for the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship and we regularly talk to employers to understand what they want from accountants so we ensure our offer remains relevant, up-to-date and of a high standard. We partner with government, industry bodies and training providers to deliver an excellent globally-recognised foundation in accounting, finance and business through our apprenticeship programme.
Both the ACCA Level 2 and Level 3 Modern Apprenticeships in Accounting allow apprentices to take the ACCA Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting as an option.
The ACCA Level 4 Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting, which offers the same level of qualification as a Technical Apprenticeship (SVQ8), focuses on the first three core modules of the ACCA Qualification:
Your apprentice will study and be examined on the following subject areas:
They’ll also take our interactive module Foundations in Professionalism which covers ethics and personal effectiveness. Successful completion of all these elements means the apprentice will be awarded ACCA’s Diploma in Accounting and Business as well as the actual apprenticeship award itself.
To learn more about the scheme in Scotland, visit these sections: