Professional Accounting Technician Level 4

A Professional Accounting or Tax Technician will have responsibility for creating, verifying, and reviewing accurate and timely financial information within the organisation in which they are employed or on behalf of another organisation. The role could be in an accounting practice, a professional services company, HMRC, or the accounting function of a business or other organisation.

This apprenticeship will help you develop a wide range of knowledge, skills, and behaviours, including:

Knowledge

• Pathway 1 – Accounting
  • Knowledge and understanding of the core elements of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting standards, enabling accountants to create and report financial information to users of accounts. A professional accounting technician will understand and validate the accounting standards for basic accounts preparation and/or drafting of financial statements.
  • Depending on their role, they will also have specialist knowledge in other aspects of accounting, for example management accounting and tax accounting.
• Pathway 2 – Professional Tax Technician
  • Knowledge and understanding of the core elements of personal and business taxation and accounting principles. They will be required to prepare tax calculations, complete government forms, understand and comply with filing deadlines, and document client paperwork. Depending on their role, they will also have specialist knowledge in other areas of taxation, for example business compliance, VAT, inheritance tax, trusts and estates, and corporate tax.

Skills

• Create and interpret information, and show how that information can be used most effectively.
• Effectively communicate relevant information across the organisation.
• Proactively manage their own development.
• Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Apply accounting or tax knowledge.

Behaviours

• Willing to listen and learn, and to accept changing priorities.
• Actively engage in the wider business as appropriate.
• Be honest and principled.
• Take responsibility.

A blend of on-the-job and academic learning

Most learning is on-the-job, guided by your employer and Instructor-Mentor. You will attend Buxton Campus one day per week and receive regular workplace visits from your Instructor-Mentor for observations, professional discussions, and progress reviews.

How you are assessed

The Apprenticeship Assessment is the final stage of every apprenticeship. It checks overall competence, not just individual tasks, and gives apprentices the chance to demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) they have developed. Assessment methods for this apprenticeship are a professional discussion with an independent assessor and a knowledge test. 

• Develop specialised expertise
  Gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills in taxation, preparing you for roles that require technical proficiency in tax compliance and advisory services.

• Enhance employability
  This apprenticeship equips you with the competencies sought by employers in the taxation sector, improving your job prospects and career advancement opportunities.

• Achieve a recognised qualification
  Upon successful completion, you will obtain a qualification that is recognised within the industry, validating your skills and knowledge in taxation.

• Progress to professional qualifications
  This apprenticeship can serve as a stepping stone towards further professional development, leading to qualifications with accounting bodies such as ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or CIPFA, or advancing to a Level 7 Masters Accounting Apprenticeship.

• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or equivalent), including Maths and English.
• You must have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for at least the past three years.
• As this is an apprenticeship, you will also require suitable employment to undertake the programme.

Apprenticeships are funded by either the employer or the government; apprentices do not pay for their training.

Contact us

FE & Skills Apprenticeship Team

• Email: feapprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: 0800 074 0099