Accounting/Finance Assistant (Level 2 Standard)

Within this Accountancy Apprenticeship there are various job roles which would be applicable such as;

Accounts Assistant - Maintain relevant financial records (both manual and computerised) and ensure the proper handling and control of all cash transactions.

Accounts Clerk - Performs any combination of the following; calculating, posting and verifying duties to obtain financial data for use in maintaining accounting records.

Cashier - A Cashier is responsible for maintaining outstanding customer service as per company standards, processing sales quickly, accurately and efficiently, cash register operations and safeguarding company assets.

Credit Control Clerk - Maintaining a number of sales ledger accounts, with involvement in the entire ledger process, from assisting new customers for credit limit, through to debt collection and cash allocation.

Finance Assistant - Duties may include accruals and prepayments, assisting in the processing of financial transactions and in the provision of financial information and production of monthly income cost reports.

Purchase Ledger Clerk - Duties may include generating internal invoices to authorise payments, coding and checking invoices, working out any additional VAT payments on top of the basic costs, paying out money via BACS or by cheque, checking and reconciling supplier statements and filing invoices and statements.

Sales Ledger Clerk - Duties may include setting up new clients, producing invoices and chasing up outstanding debts.

Applicants aged 16–18 who have not achieved GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above must work towards and attempt Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects as part of their apprenticeship programme.

For applicants aged 19 and over, this requirement is optional and can be removed if both the apprentice and employer agree, with the decision formally documented at enrolment.

Due to the numerical and analytical nature of the accountancy profession, it is strongly advised that applicants have already achieved GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above prior to enrolment. However, this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis through initial assessment and discussion between the applicant, employer and training provider.

• Hands-on Training & College Learning: Apprentices work on-site with professional finance teams while attending college one day per week. They gain practical experience in tasks like invoicing, data entry, and account reconciliation, supported by classroom learning in core finance principles.

• Wide-Ranging Curriculum: The course covers essential topics such as bookkeeping, accounting software, payroll basics, and financial documentation. Apprentices also build communication, numeracy, and ethical awareness to support accurate record-keeping and reporting.

• Specialist Pathways: Learners may focus on areas like public sector finance, digital bookkeeping, or client account management, depending on their interests and employer needs. Optional qualifications like AAT Level 2 can deepen their expertise.

• Career-Ready Qualification: Upon completion (12–15 months), apprentices earn a Level 2 qualification and are ready for roles such as accounts assistant, finance administrator or cashier, amongst others. They can progress to higher apprenticeships or specialise further in accounting.

For a comprehensive understanding of this programme and what it entails, please click here.

This accountancy Apprenticeship is taught at our London Road Campus on a day release basis once a week with exams throughout the year. If you need to complete your functional skills, then this will be covered at College in a block week release. In addition, you will be expected to produce a portfolio of work-based evidence which is reviewed in the workplace every 12 weeks with the College and your employer. You will be required to sit an End Point Assessment, towards the final stages of your programme, to ensure you have obtained the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to carry out your role effectively.

Typically, this accountancy Apprenticeship will take 12 months to complete.

To be an apprentice, you will need an employer who can offer you a specific role relevant to this apprenticeship and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 653444 or email apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk