SWAP ACCESS TO ACCOUNTING

Intro to the course:

Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) are for adults who have few or no formal qualifications and who have been out of full-time education for at least three years (five years if you have Highers or any Higher National qualification). 

This course provides mature students with the skills, knowledge and qualifications to enter accounting and finance. Many of our students progress from this course right up to degree-level study at the college, in partnership with University of the West of Scotland. 

Part-qualified and newly qualified accountants are Scotland's most sought-after employees, according to research from Hays in 2020. The average salary for an accountant in Scotland is £37,500. 

This course is the foundation for progressing onto the HNC Accounting or into an entry-level position in accounting and finance. Many of our students progress from this course through HNC, HND and degree level course.

The course also enables progression to a Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting, linking with industry to ensure relevant industry experience.  This could then lead to opportunities to undertake a Graduate Apprenticeship programme.

Students that study the course will secure professional body qualifications with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) enabling them to progress to more advanced professional qualifications  highly sought after by employers.

The course will include the following components:

• National Progression Award in Accountancy - financial accounting, management accounting, analysing accounting information, recording transactions in a ledger, professional ethics for accountants
• AAT Certificate in Accounting at Level 2 - introduction to bookkeeping, principles of bookkeeping controls, principles of costing, the business environment
• AAT Award in Bookkeeping at Level 1 - bookkeeping fundamentals (including Sage Accounting)
• AAT Award in Business Skills at Level 1 - working in the business environment, using numbers in business/accounting

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for anyone wanting to develop their career in accountancy & financial services.

It will suit school leavers or those looking to change career,  or progress their career in the area of accounting & finance.

What will I study?

The accountancy and business skills developed by studying this qualification will enable a student to seek employment with confidence and progress to the next level of learning or both.

A student completing this qualification will develop skills in double-entry bookkeeping and will understand how to use journals, control accounts and a trial balance.  They'll study management and financial accounting to enable them to analyse accounting information.  Students will also gain an understanding of accounting software packages, how to process financial information in accordance with company procedures and schedules, and how to provide information to colleagues, suppliers and customers following professional standards and ethics for accounting practice.

Next Step Course Options

• degree or HNC or HND in Accounting or other discipline such as HNC Law.  SWAP has partnership programmes with Glasgow Caledonian University, University of the West of Scotland, Scottish Agricultural College, University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland
• HNC or HND Accounting or other discipline such as business or legal studies
• Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting or Graduate Apprenticeship
• more advanced level professional body qualifications

How will I be assessed?

SQA secure assessments.

AAT Professional Body secure on-line Tests.

Why should I choose this course?

There is  a demand for accountants and staff with experience of finance and book-keeping in many different sectors. This course introduces you to the fundamentals for a career in this sector and future professional qualification. 

You can study here up to degree level under our arrangement with the University of the West of Scotland. You will be taught by industry experts who are qualified chartered accountants.   You can also progress to a number of other universities to study accounting.

You will  gain experience through work placement, visits to local accounting firms, industry set challenges and guest speakers. 

We encourage you to apply early as places fill quickly.

Where can this course lead?

Staff with accounting & financial skills are vital to the industrial, commercial and public sectors. Skills developed through this qualification could lead to employment as:

• accounts administrator
• accounts assistant
• accounts payable clerk
• purchase or sales ledger clerk
• trainee accounting technician
• trainee finance assistant

The accountancy and finance knowledge developed in this qualification is also the underpinning knowledge needed for the higher-level accountancy and financial skills developed in the Level 3 AAT Diploma in Accounting and the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting.

What are the entry requirements?

No formal entry qualifications.

What are the interview arrangements?

You will be invited to attend an informal information and induction session.  No formal interview is required.

Other information:

The NPA Accounting was specifically developed to meet the underpinning knowledge component of the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy. Learners who complete this course may wish to progress to a Modern Apprenticeship/Graduate Apprenticeship in Accounting.

The design of the course embeds AAT Professional Body Qualifications which enables progression to more advanced level Professional Body Qualifications.