Professional Accounting/Taxation Technician (Level 4 Standard)

Examples of roles as a Professional Accounting/Tax Technician include, but are not limited to:

• Assistant Auditor
• Assistant Management Accountant
• Assistant Financial Accountant
• Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
• Commercial Analyst
• Payroll Manager
• Senior Bookkeeper
• Senior Financial Officer
• Tax Investigations Officer
• Personal Tax Assistant and Business Tax Assistant.

Individuals in the role of a Professional Accounting/Tax Technician will have responsibility for creating, and / or verifying and reviewing, accurate and timely financial information within the organisation in which they are employed or on behalf of another organisation. This will be performed in order to meet relevant ethical, professional and legal standards, and will utilise the individual's knowledge of the business systems and processes, as well as standard accounting and tax practices. This role may exist in an accounting practice, a professional services company, HMRC or the accounting function of a business or other organisation.

In order to complete this accounting Apprenticeship, you will be expected to complete an initial assessment in Maths and English to ensure you are at a suitable level to work towards this qualification. To apply for this Apprenticeship, you must have obtained both Maths and English at a Grade 4 or above, prior to enrolment onto this course and completed up to and including a Level 3 qualification in Accounting.

• Hands-on Training & College Learning: Apprentices work in professional finance teams or accountancy firms directly while attending college one day per week. They support complex tasks like preparing financial statements, managing budgets, and handling tax calculations; gaining both practical experience and advanced technical knowledge.

• Wide-Ranging Curriculum: The course covers financial reporting, tax compliance, budgeting, and business awareness. Apprentices also develop skills in ethics, systems analysis, and communication, using accounting software to support decision-making and regulatory reporting.

• Specialist Pathways: Depending on their role, learners may focus on taxation, audit, or management accounting. Many complete the AAT Level 4 Diploma or progress toward chartered qualifications like ACCA, ICAEW, or CIMA, tailoring their learning to career goals.

• Career-Ready Qualification: Upon completion (typically 18 months), apprentices earn a Level 4 qualification and are ready for roles such as tax technician, assistant management accountant, or audit associate, with clear routes into senior finance roles or chartered status.

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. 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 takes 18 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