ACCA Professional Accountant Apprenticeship

The ACCA Professional Accountant Apprenticeship is aligned with the professional ACCA qualification and provides an opportunity to upskill new and existing employees. Over the four-year programme apprentices will develop Accountancy knowledge and professional skills with a clear vocational focus. This is achieved through a mix of workplace learning, formal off-the-job training, blended learning and the opportunity to reinforce and develop new skills.

The programme provides apprentices with the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of accounting and of financial regulation in its broadest sense to aspects of business management to improve the financial management and accountability of organisations, and to explain reports and the implications of transactions to a wide variety of stakeholders. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to study specialised areas of Accounting of greatest relevance to their chosen area of interest and/or career path.

On successful completion of the programme and the practical experience requirement, apprentices gain a postgraduate certificate, qualify for membership of the ACCA and become fully-qualified Accountants.

Make sure that you’ve read the FAQs, and that you meet the eligibility criteria, before you submit an application.

key information

University of Brighton Awards Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting

Apprenticeship Standard Accountancy/Taxation Professional

Level 7

Application Close Date To be confirmed

Start Date September 2020

Duration 4 years

Location Moulsecoomb

Accreditation ACCA

submit an application

Further information and enquiries

What it covers

Course structure

The typical duration of this programme is four years, however, there are multiple entry points allowing apprentices with recognised prior learning to join the programme to complete their studies and training towards the ACCA qualification.

Apprentices will attend university one day per week during term time to attend workshops. This will provide the opportunity to use the facilities and to meet with module or programme leaders. Outside of term time apprentices will be undertaking independent study and developing their knowledge and skills through practical application in the workplace. Assessment will take place through coursework and exam and apprentices will then need to pass through the Gateway to take the EPA in order to achieve their qualification.

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Due to the current situation delivery of this programme may be partially remote, please check back regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Entry requirements:

Apprentices joining the programme must have passed the ACCA Applied Knowledge modules or an equivalent level of qualification recognised by the ACCA. Typically this can be an AAT Level 4 qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered for individual applicants in line with the University of Brighton RPL policy.
Apprentices wishing to join the programme at the Strategic Professional level of study will be required to have completed the Applied Skills modules.

Employer commitments:

To release apprentices to attend university on an agreed schedule
Ensure apprentices have continued protected time outside of term for off-the-job training
To provide a workplace mentor to supervise and monitor the progress of the apprentice
To provide opportunities in the workplace to meet work-based learning requirements.

Core modules

Year 1:

Corporate and Business Law
Performance Management
Financial Reporting

Year 3:

Strategic Business Reporting
Option Module 1

Year 2:

Taxation
Audit and Assurance
Financial Management

Year 4:

Option Module 2
Strategic Business Leader

Benefits and prospects

Online learning tools and libraries ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to you 24/7, both for use at the university and at home.

All apprentices benefit from a personal tutor for advice and guidance as well as periodic tripartite meetings between the personal academic tutor, the apprentice and the employer.

An Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification will help your career progress in any organisation. Employers worldwide will understand and respect your qualification. You will be in demand for your finance and accounting knowledge regardless of employment sector

Prospects upon completion may include:

ACCA Professional Accountant

Staff profile

Nigel Padbury

Nigel is a qualified chartered accountant. He spent a number of years in a professional environment at KPMG followed by considerable experience in the commercial sector in various managerial positions.

Nigel has five years professional teaching experience.

Fees and funding information for apprentices

Course fees

As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 643888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton & Hove bus discount

NUS card

Why choose us?

As an ACCA Gold Learning Partner, the university is recognised as providing high quality standards of tuition and excellent student support.
The university has 20+ years’ experience of delivering ACCA tuition
Accredited courses with the ACCA
An experienced and established teaching team with a mixture of professional and academic qualifications and experience
A career-focussed university with core values of sustainability and social responsibility
Apprenticeships rated 'Good' by Ofsted