We’re always happy to talk to you about any aspect of our apprenticeships, from set up to qualifications to funding. Simply fill in our short form here and we’ll be in touch.
Our apprenticeships are available all year round, so there’s no need to panic about deadlines.
The length will vary, depending on which level your apprenticeship is and how the programme fits around your business needs. However, the minimum length is 12 months in England. As a rough guide, Level 4 apprentices (Modern Apprentices in Scotland) typically take a minimum of 12 months, and Level 7 (Graduate Apprentices in Scotland) are more like 36 months.
We can chat with you to help answer this question, as it’ll depend on your needs. There will be certain other factors that affect it though, such as any previous work experience, the level of education and/or awards your apprentice already has.
Employers must provide a genuine job, for at least 30 hours a week for a minimum of 12 months. It also needs to give your apprentice plenty of opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for success. Your apprentices are making a commitment and they’ll look to you to provide them with a salary, as well as an induction into their role, chances to learn, exposure to appropriate work, and time to study and take exams.
Those who’ve gained the ACCA qualification are strategic finance professionals who have the technical, financial and professional skills to excel in any sector, anywhere in the world. It’s why 92% of employers say ACCA people have the skills needed to drive their businesses forward. You can learn more about it here.
| Name | Apprenticeship level | Equivalent educational level | Acca offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSE passes | |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A level passes | AAT Level 3 to ACCA Level 4 |
| Higher | 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above | ACCA Accounting Technician Apprenticeship (Level 4) |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelors or masters degree | ACCA Professional Accountant Apprenticeship (Level 7) |
Large employers operating in the UK with an annual pay bill in excess of £3m automatically pay into the apprenticeship levy which was set up by the government. This levy pot can be used by all businesses to fund apprenticeships, whether they pay into it or not.
The exam and registration fess aren't covered by funding. Further details on these fees can be found here.
This will depend on the size and location of your business. Please get in touch with us and we can answer any questions you have around this.
Unused vouchers will expire after 24 months. This means that, for example, levy paid in September 2019 will start expiring from September 2021. The funds expire to encourage levy-paying employers to invest in high quality training and prevent them from accruing very large balances. However, any unspent levy funds within each financial year are used to support existing apprentices to complete their training and pay for apprenticeship training for smaller employers.
No. It’s a common misconception that employers have to switch employees onto an apprenticeship contract, but they don’t. The apprenticeship contract is optional and is often used, if for instance the apprenticeship is fixed term. Therefore, you can keep your employee on the same contract as they were before. You’ll just need to amend the terms, if there’s anything different you want to apply, such as changes to study leave.
To make sure we’re creating well-rounded accountants, our apprenticeships have been designed by employers, for employers. So, whilst there are lots of aspects that set our apprenticeships apart, one of the key pillars is that they focus on skills and behaviours, as well as theory and technical knowledge. They also give apprentices the opportunity to apply what they’ve learnt in a live environment that will benefit your business straight away.
Yes, but only if you give them the time back in lieu as it needs to equate to 20% off the job.
Your apprentice will have someone dedicated to checking in with them regularly throughout the programme. This person will support your apprentice, conduct regular reviews to spot any skills gaps and update you on their progress.
ACCA and your chosen training provider will provide all the support they need, from study guides and tuition, to coaching, online courses and skills development.
As long as the apprenticeship is Level 7 or higher, that’s fine. Undergraduate degrees are equivalent to Level 6. That means that only those with a Master’s degree in an accountancy-related subject would be too qualified to fully benefit.
Yes, as long as they have a least 12 months of study time left and are willing to complete any remaining components of the apprenticeship.
Yes. It would depend on their working hours, but in theory, we could increase the length of the apprenticeship in line with the government funding rules.