FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP ACCOUNTING (TWO YEARS)

Intro to the course:

This course is for pupils in S5 and S6 and typically takes 2 years to complete.  It gives students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to enter a career in Accountancy. It also contributes directly to the achievement of the Modern Apprenticeship in Accountancy (AAT) by attainment of core units within the MA qualification and will contribute towards professional qualifications. 

The Accountancy Foundation Apprenticeship includes the following core elements: 

• National Progression Award in Accountancy 
• work-based challenge unit 
• two units of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Certificate in Accounting

 AAT is the UK's leading accounting technician qualification professional membership body offering practical, vocational qualifications which provide students with internationally recognised finance and accountancy skills that can open doors in any industry across the world. 

Skills development Scotland (SDS), alongside other partners, is working with industry to increase the range of work-based learning opportunities for pupils in the senior phase of secondary schools.  One of the ways this is being achieved is through the development of Foundation Apprenticeships and SDS is leading this initiative.  Foundation Apprenticeships will allow pupils to gain vocational qualifications that combine sector specific skills alongside the knowledge that underpins these skills in a workplace setting while still at school.

Who is the course for?

The course is designed for S5 school pupils wishing to undertake the Foundation Apprenticeship (over two years) as an alternative to a Higher.

What will I study?

Units that are covered in the National Progression Award element (NPA) element of the course are: 

• preparing management accounting information 
• analysing accounting information 
• preparing financial accounting information 
• recording transactions in the ledger 
• professional ethics for accountants 

Units that are covered as part of the AAT professional qualification element are:

•  advanced bookkeeping
•  final accounts preparation 

The WBCU has been designed to support the delivery of the NPA. The college works in partnership with employer(s) to identify a suitable project that will complement the learning outcomes within the NPA units

Next Step Course Options

Foundation Apprenticeships are directly aligned to three primary progression pathways. These are: 

• Modern Apprenticeship - pupils completing the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy will have achieved a large proportion of the requirements for a Modern Apprenticeship in Accountancy at SCQF Level 6. The Foundation Apprenticeship includes units from the modern professional element - AAT units. This would mean the learner will not have to repeat those units and just undertake the remaining professional qualification units and other aspects of the MA framework. 
• Further Education - all Scottish Further Education Colleges recognise the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy as an eligible qualification towards Higher National study, alongside other qualifications. 
• Higher Education - Scottish Universities recognise the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy as an eligible qualification towards under-graduate degrees and graduate apprenticeship provision, alongside other qualifications. 

How will I be assessed?

Assessments range from:

• SQA secure assessments which can be open-book, closed-book, reports, presentations, group work and observations
• the work based challenge unit is a project set by industry

Why should I choose this course?

This course will allow pupils to gain vocational qualifications that combine sector specific skills alongside the knowledge that underpins these skills in a workplace setting while still at school.

The Financial Services sector in Scotland is the most significant sectoral contributor to Scotland's economy.  Therefore there are excellent career prospects for motivated and talented young people.

Across job posting in 21/22, top skills requested in the accountancy profession include:

• accounting
• budgeting
• account reconciliation
• external auditing
• VAT returns

Demand for skills such as data analysis and data management are projected to grow globally in the accountancy profession over the next year.

In Scotland, it is expected that there will be a requirement for 13,700 people to fill job openings in business and finance occupations between 2021 and 2024.  In the medium-term, between 2023 and 2031, there is expected to be a requirement for 28,000 people.

Where can this course lead?

The Foundation Apprenticeship supports the commitment to provide relevant work-based vocational education and training as part of the senior phase curriculum. This will prepare young people for direct entry into a career in the Accountancy sector by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively from day one of employment. This includes both the development of practical and technical skills alongside the development of learner meta-skills, supported via the project-based learning. It also highlights meaningful vocational pathways as challenging and valuable alternatives to existing academic subjects.

What are the entry requirements?

This course is aimed at pupils with an interest and enthusiasm in exploring this area of work. 

Although set at SCQF Level 6, due to the contextualised learning experience where underpinning theory are aligned with industry, learners operating at SCQF Level 5 or above on entry are encouraged to apply.

Pupils should have a good level of written and spoken English, and good numeracy skills.  They should also have good communication and team-working skills.

What are the interview arrangements?

Potential apprentices are selected for this apprenticeship programme by their school.  Pupils will undertake a recruitment process, arranged by the college.