NPA ACCOUNTING

Intro to the course:

The group award has been designed to provide learners with the fundamental knowledge and skills relating to the study of accountancy and allows for progression to other accounting-related programmes in both further and higher education, as well as providing progression within or to employment.

The principal aims of the NPA are to provide learners with the core knowledge and transferable skills that are valued by the accountancy sector and to provide underpinning knowledge required for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy at SCQF level 6.

To gain the award you will need to complete five units:

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

Who is the course for?

The course is for anyone wishing to develop core knowledge and transferable skills that are valued by the accountancy sector and to provide underpinning knowledge required for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy at SCQF level 6.

What will I study?

This group award consists of 5 SQA unit credits.  

To achieve the NPA the learner has to pass five mandatory units:

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

In completing the five units you will:

• gain knowledge and skills in gathering, preparing, presenting and recording management and financial accounting information using a range of accounting techniques.
• develop an understanding of the use and importance of the accounting information on making decisions about planning, control and success on an organisation.
• develop an ability to interpret and analyse accounting information, and an understanding of accounting standards and practices.
• develop an understanding of ethical responsibilities of an accountant, and appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in an accounting environment.

Next Step Course Options

The NPA was specifically developed to meet the underpinning knowledge component f the Foundation Apprenticeship in Accountancy, and the award provides credits towards the Foundation Apprenticeship.  Learners who successfully achieve the FA may wish to go on to complete the full Modern Apprenticeship (MA) in Accounting.

Learners who successfully complete this NPA could also progress to HN programmes in Accounting or appropriate national courses at Higher and/or Advanced Higher level.

Opportunities to study towards professional body qualifications such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Certificate in Accounting at Level 6 would also be available to candidates that complete this qualification.

How will I be assessed?

There are different approaches to assessment such as:

• written/oral assessment both open and closed-book
• group work
• project based assessment
• group presentations

SQA secure assessments will be used where possible.

Why should I choose this course?

The course is an excellent opportunity to develop skills in accountancy that will enable progression to further study or boost career opportunities.

Where can this course lead?

The qualification may help candidates apply for entry level employment in the accounting and finance industry. 

What are the entry requirements?

You are not required to have any prior experience and knowledge of accounting before starting this qualification.  However, you would benefit from having gained either:

• National 5 Accounting  
• any of the SCQF level 5 Accounting units
• some ICT skills training
• work experience

What are the interview arrangements?

No formal interview.  You will be invited to an informal induction/information session.

Other information:

Significant opportunities exist for learners to develop the more generic core skills in: numeracy; communication; problem solving; ICT and working with others.