Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Standard

Knowledge

Business Awareness

• Understands the transactional processes and support provided by accountancy firms or the accounting function within an organisation
• Understands their organisations business strategy including customer and supplier needs, in order to produce relevant and compliant financial information
• Is aware of how their role fits in with the wider organisation and sector they are working in

IT Systems and Processes

• Understands how to enter accounting transactions, perform a reconciliation, correct errors and produce a range of reports using a computerised accounting system
• Understands the systems and process of the organisation, within the responsibility of the position such as Sales, Purchase and Payroll
• Understands the use of all relevant office and accounting packages used within their organisation, relevant to their job role

Ethical Standards

• Understands the relevant Ethical Standards to protect their own and their organisations professional reputation and integrity
• Understands the importance of upholding relevant codes of conduct

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Understands the basic elements of double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards required to process financial documents and report financial information to users of accounts
• Understands the current financial standards for basic accounts preparation, in order to be able to make necessary end of year adjustments
• Understands what is required to draft final accounts. Understands how to account for the purchase and disposal of non-current assets
• Understands the basic tax principles to apply current regulations to calculate VAT and submit a VAT return

Management Accounting

• Understands how to recognise and use different accounting approaches and is able to gather, analyse and report information about income and expenditure to support decision-making, planning and control

Skills

Analysis

• Effectively records and analyses financial data at the appropriate level using the organisation’s standard tools and processes
• Communicates to all stakeholders to aid decision making to add value to the organisation, within the responsibility of the position

Communication

• Works both independently and as part of a team within the organisation’s standards; competently demonstrates an ability to communicate both in writing and orally at all levels, using a range of tools and demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with internal and external customers
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate financial information in a way that non-finance staff can interpret and understand

Produces Quality and Accurate Information

• Consistently delivers high quality, ‘right first time’ financial and performance data in a timely fashion in line with the organisation’s requirements, to aid decision making and planning

Uses Systems and Processes

• Demonstrates the ability to identify the appropriate systems and processes to work productively in order to complete required tasks
• Demonstrates competent use of office and accounting packages
• Able to maintain the security of accounting information using passwords and backup routines

Problem Solving

• Applies techniques to both common and non-routine problems, analysing where required and selecting the appropriate tools and techniques to produce solutions
• Escalates or seeks guidance and support where appropriate

Behaviours

Embracing Change

• Accepts changing priorities and working requirements readily and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment

Adding Value

• Identifies opportunities to actively engage in the wider business when appropriate
• Provides information that positively contributes to influencing business decisions whilst continually striving to improve own working processes and those of the organisation

Ethics and Integrity

• Applies a transparent and objective manner in all actions and interactions to ensure that they meet the ethical requirements of the profession.

Personal Accountability

• Takes the initiative for own personal development
• Proactively takes responsibility for completing tasks and meeting expectations
• Consistently prioritises in order to achieve timely outcomes

Productivity

• Organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines
• Performs professionally in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary

Team working and Collaboration

• Consistently supports colleagues & collaborates to achieve results
• Aware of their role within the team & their impact on others