Accounts (including AAT)

Accounts apprenticeships are designed for people who work in accounts positions or have an active finance and accounting aspect in their role. Whilst being well suited to those employed by firms of accountants, there are a variety of jobs that accounts apprentices either do or are working towards, including:

  • Accounts assistant
  • Purchase ledger clerk
  • Sales ledger clerk
  • Banking clerk
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Administration assistant in an accounts department
  • Office Manager

Damar's accounts apprentices work in a wide range of sectors in addition to accountancy, such as: law, healthcare, financial services, education, property, media, manufacturing and distribution.

The apprenticeship pathway for accounts, which includes the Association of Accounting Technicians' accounting qualifications, leads to full membership of the AAT from which students can progress to chartered accountant status.

The intermediate apprenticeship (Foundation AAT) is suitable for people who are new to accounts or have not previously completed an accounts qualification.

The advanced apprenticeship (Intermediate AAT) is suitable for staff who are progressing from the foundation award or an equivalent qualification.

What you learn will depend on your job. In all cases you will complete:

Key skills in communication and application of number. Unlike school exams, these are designed to ensure that you have the skills in maths and English that you need at work. We support you with 1:1 and small group training where necessary. Key skills are assessed by way of a portfolio (which will be related to your job) and online tests.

An AAT Certificate or Diploma. This is designed to develop and assess your competence in your job role. It is completed by attending two full day sessions at our centre each month in addition to individual support from your Damar assessor in the workplace. You will be taught all the skills needed in an accounts role and will be assessed through a series of exams and some coursework.

Progression to full AAT membership. Following completion of the Advanced Apprenticeship you may be able to progress to a Higher Apprenticeship in Accounts which includes full AAT membership, including the right to use the letters MAAT after your name. Full members of the AAT work in a wide range of senior financial and managerial positions.

Here are what our apprentices will learn:

Job: Administrator in a firm of accountants
Qualification: Intermediate apprenticeship (Foundation AAT)

In your Certificate you will learn about:

  • Basic accounting principles, including:
    • Manual and double entry bookkeeping
    • Cash books and petty cash books
    • Reconciliation of control accounts
  • Basic costing, including:
    • Calculating variances
    • Dealing with budgeted and actual costs
  • Computerised accounting software (Sage Line 50)
  • Working effectively in accounts and finance
  • Professional ethics

Job:  Accounts Assistant
Qualification: Advanced apprenticeship (Intermediate AAT)

In your Diploma you will learn about:

  • Accounts preparation, including:
    • Accounting for fixed assets
    • Extending the trial balance using accounting adjustments
    • Preparing final accounts for sole traders
    • Preparing accounts for partnerships
  • Cash management
  • Costs and revenues
  • Indirect tax and VAT
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Professional ethics